The 17 Best Winter Salad Recipes to Brighten Your Table

Winter might bring chilly weather, but it doesn’t mean you can only eat heavy comfort food meals! I find bright salads especially tasty in the winter months and you’re going to love these delicious options. These are the best winter salad recipes!

Crispy Rice Salad

You’ll love how simple yet impressive this dish is to share with family or friends! This crispy rice salad is a flavor-packed adventure in every bite! With perfectly golden, crunchy rice, fresh veggies, and a zesty dressing, it’s a salad you’ll want to make again and again. You can customize it with your favorite protein or extra veggies, making it a versatile dish for any occasion.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice Salad.

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

This black bean quinoa salad recipe should be on the top of your recipes-to-make list! It’s light and bright, satisfying and nutritious, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber, all with tons of layered flavor. Because it can be made ahead, it’s a great salad for everything from picnics to summer cookouts to healthy meal prep salads to get you through the week.

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Salad.

Asian Chicken Salad

This Asian chicken salad is the ultimate combo of crunchy, juicy, and refreshing! The chicken pairs beautifully with crisp greens, carrots, and an irresistible tangy sesame ginger dressing. Every forkful feels like a mini celebration of flavors, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, and you can always switch up the toppings to make it right for you.

Get the Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad.

Lemon Kale Salad 

This easy lemon kale salad recipe is made with crunchy lacinato kale, a bright lemon dressing, and extra flavor from crunchy panko and shredded Parmesan cheese. After my cousin brought this kale salad to Thanksgiving one year, it was requested year after year – it’s that good! You can make this delicious salad ahead of time so that you aren’t adding extra work to your meal. Just keep the dressing to the side and mix it in right before serving. 

Get the Recipe: Kale Salad.

Taco Salad

If you love a classic taco salad, you will always be happy to see this recipe on the menu. It’s quick, easy, and always hits the spot. Ground beef cooks super fast, making it a great weeknight option. Put out all of the salad components and let everyone make their own salad.

Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad.

Italian Chopped Salad

Classic Italian flavors meet a modern twist in this hearty chopped salad! It’s packed with fresh veggies, tangy olives, savory cheese, and a drizzle of herby vinaigrette, and it’s like a trip to Italy on your plate. Add some croutons or sliced salami for an even heartier option!

Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.

Big Mac Salad

Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main course dinner salad.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.

Pizza Salad

Who said pizza can’t be a salad? This fun and flavorful twist takes all your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoncini, mozzarella, and veggies, and turns them into a vibrant, refreshing dish. It’s indulgent yet light, making it perfect for pizza lovers.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad.

Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad

When you’re in the mood for a salad that’s incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what you’re going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.

Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.

Warm Quinoa Salad

Cozy and comforting, this warm quinoa salad is the ultimate hug in a bowl. Fluffy quinoa is tossed with roasted veggies, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of tangy lemon dressing for a hearty and healthy dish, perfect to enjoy as a main dish or a side. Add some nuts, cheese, or favorite seasonal produce to make it your own.

Get the Recipe: I Heart Vegetables.

Cowboy Caviar

Don’t tell the party guests that this bean dip is secretly super-nutritious – it is bound to be gobbled up based on flavor alone! Made with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, two types of beans, and a tangy dressing, it’s hard to stop eating this dip! Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a scoopable snack that everyone always adores.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar.

Southwest Salad

The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.

Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Roasted beets are combined with peppery arugula, toasted pistachios, and a grapefruit vinaigrette. Simple, elegant, and delicious! It’s the perfect side to a warm holiday meal.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad.

Greek Potato Salad with Green Beans

This tasty Greek potato salad is bursting with flavor, it’s really easy to make, and the whole family will enjoy it. This healthy side salad comes with not one nutritious veggie but two! Pair it with Mediterranean meals or grilled chicken.

Get the Recipe: Greek Potato Salad with Green Beans.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Slaw

This shaved Brussels sprouts slaw is so easy to make and always a hit. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cilantro, and pistachios are combined with a tasty homemade vinaigrette dressing. It’s healthy, delicious, and stands up to the dressing making it a great salad to prep ahead or take to parties.

Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Slaw.

Brussels Sprout Salad with Pear and Pomegranate

This Brussels sprouts salad is packed with healthy seasonal ingredients and loaded with gorgeous colors. Shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds, pear, pecans, and blue cheese all come together for a variety of textures, flavors, and colors. Toss with a simple apple cider vinaigrette for the perfect side dish.

Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Arugula & Orange Salad

This tasty salad is full of seasonal holiday flavors, and it looks beautiful too. Crisp arugula is topped with sliced oranges, pomegranate seeds, blue cheese, red onions, and candied pecans. Plate your salad ahead of time and dress them right before serving.

Get the Recipe: Arugula and Orange Salad.