Jolly Winter Greens Salad Recipe: A Holiday Bowl of Freshness

Winter chill calls for a vibrant winter greens salad that bursts with color and flavor.

Crisp, emerald-hued leaves dance with unexpected textures and zesty notes.

Each forkful of this seasonal salad promises a delightful culinary journey through winter bounty.

Tangy citrus and toasted nuts add complexity to the verdant greens.

Delicate herbs weave their magic, creating a symphony of fresh ingredients.

This simple yet sophisticated dish stands ready to brighten even the coldest evenings.

Grab your bowl and get ready to savor a salad that captures the essence of winter freshest produce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 7

Winter Greens Salad Shopping List

• Pecans: Adds a sweet, buttery crunch with warm maple-cinnamon coating that elevates the salad's texture and flavor.
• Pepitas: Provides a nutty, earthy element with delightful green color and additional protein boost.

• Mixed Greens: Offers a vibrant, crisp base with varied leaf textures and nutrients; choose organic and fresh greens for best taste.
• Oranges: Brings zesty brightness and juicy sweetness; select ripe, firm fruits without soft spots.
• Pears: Contributes elegant sweetness and soft texture; choose slightly firm pears for perfect salad consistency.
• Apples: Delivers crisp, tangy element; select firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best crunch.
• Pomegranate Arils: Adds jewel-like bursts of tart flavor and stunning visual appeal; choose bright, plump seeds.
• Cranberries: Introduces delightful tartness and festive color; opt for dried varieties for concentrated flavor.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances dressing's taste.
• Pepper: Provides subtle warmth and depth to dressing.
• Cheese: Adds creamy, tangy element that complements other ingredients; crumbled varieties work best.

Tools You’ll Need for Winter Greens Salad

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for tossing and combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for slicing fruits and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for cleanly cutting oranges, pears, or apples.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for measuring salt and pepper.
• Mason Jar or Sealed Container: Perfect for mixing and storing the salad dressing.
• Salad Serving Bowl: Attractive dish for presenting the final festive winter greens salad.

Easy Method for Making Festive Greens Salad

• Nutty Preparation Craft delectable maple-kissed pecans by coating them in sweet syrup and warming spices for a crunchy surprise.
• Dressing Magic Blend tangy and smooth ingredients in a sealed container, creating a zesty flavor explosion that will dance across your taste buds.
• Green Canvas Gently toss crisp winter greens with half the vibrant dressing, ensuring each leaf gets a delicate coating of flavor.
• Fruit Fusion Scatter jewel-like pomegranate seeds, bright citrus slices, and juicy pear chunks across the verdant landscape of greens.
• Crowning Glory Sprinkle toasted pecans and crumble creamy cheese over the salad, adding texture and a final burst of deliciousness that transforms this dish from simple to spectacular.

Tips for Dressing Your Winter Salad

• Quickly toast pecans or pepitas in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their natural nutty essence and create a deeper, richer taste profile.
• Experiment with different winter fruits like persimmons, mandarin oranges, or blood oranges to keep the salad vibrant and exciting throughout the season.
• Prepare the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more robust dressing.
• Replace crumbled cheese with goat cheese, blue cheese, or feta to add unique tangy notes and transform the salad's overall character.
• Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, roasted shrimp, or crispy chickpeas for a more substantial meal.

Serving Festive Greens Like a Chef

• Elevate with Holiday Plating: Serve this vibrant salad in a crystal or white ceramic bowl to highlight the colorful winter fruits and green leaves, creating a festive presentation that sparkles on your dinner table.
• Create a Complete Meal: Pair the salad with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or a hearty winter quiche to transform it from a side dish into a satisfying main course with balanced nutrition.
• Add Protein Power-Up: Toss in grilled chicken strips, crumbled goat cheese, or toasted chickpeas to make the salad more filling and provide extra protein for a substantial lunch or light dinner option.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the salad's bright flavors with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio that enhances the citrusy and fruity notes of the dish.

How to Store Winter Greens the Right Way

• Maximize Meal Enjoyment: Smart Storage Tips
• Refrigerate Quickly: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Separate Dressing Strategy: Keep dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store salad components separately to prevent wilting and sogginess.
• Crunch Preservation Technique: Add nuts and cheese just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Smart Prep Approach: Chop fruits and wash greens in advance, storing them in separate sealed containers to streamline meal assembly and reduce day-of preparation time.

Crisp Winter Greens Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Festive winter greens combine Mediterranean flavors in a refreshing seasonal salad. Crisp kale, pomegranate seeds, and toasted almonds create a delightful balance of textures and tastes you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 cups (1.9 L) mixed greens
• 1 ripe pomegranate or 1 cup (150 g) pomegranate arils
• 2 large oranges, pears, or apples
• ⅓ cup (45 g) crumbled feta or goat cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) dried sweetened cranberries
• ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) maple syrup
• 1 ½ tbsps (22 mL) white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) mayonnaise
• pepitas or maple-cinnamon pecans (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pecans: Toast maple-cinnamon pecans in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
2. Create Dressing: Whisk maple syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a glass jar until emulsified, then refrigerate to meld flavors.
3. Compose Salad Base: Combine mixed salad greens in a large bowl, gently tossing with half the prepared dressing to ensure even coating and prevent wilting.
4. Add Fruit Layers: Incorporate sliced oranges, diced pears, pomegranate arils, and dried cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the greens for visual and flavor complexity.
5. Finish and Garnish: Drizzle remaining dressing, sprinkle toasted maple-cinnamon pecans, and crumble selected cheese over the salad, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
6. Serve Immediately: Present the salad right away to maintain crisp greens and maximize the vibrant, fresh flavor profile of the carefully assembled ingredients.

Notes

• Pecan Precision: Toast nuts carefully to enhance crunch and prevent burning, watching closely during the maple-cinnamon coating process.
• Dressing Dynamics: Shake vigorously in a sealed glass jar to emulsify ingredients thoroughly, creating a smooth and well-blended vinaigrette.
• Greens Freshness: Wash and dry salad greens completely before mixing to prevent watery texture and ensure maximum dressing adherence.
• Serving Strategy: Plate salad just before serving to maintain crisp vegetable texture and prevent wilting from early dressing application.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg