This Winter Salad is full of the perfect combination of flavors that will have you making it well into the new year.
The other day I was looking in my refrigerator and noticed some left over kale from our Sausage and Kale Soup that we had earlier in the week. It was begging to be made into this delicious Winter Salad recipe. It is the perfect gorgeous salad to make to go with your holiday dinner.
A good winter salad recipe takes seasonal ingredients and combines them in the perfect way. Pears, pomegranates, and citrus fruit are all in season in winter and when they are combined with the other delicious ingredients it makes for the perfect flavorful salad.
Winter Salad Ingredients
This is a kale salad has so many great ingredients that go together perfectly. For the full recipe with the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Kale: This is such a reach leafy green. Read more below on how to pick out and work with kale. A great alternative, if you aren’t a fan of kale, would be baby spinach.
- Pine Nuts: These add a little protein, healthy fat, and some delicious flavor to the salad.
- Blue Cheese: I love how blue cheese pairs with the other ingredients in this salad, especially pear. I you aren’t a fan of blue cheese, goat cheese and feta is delicious here.
- Pear: Crisp ripe pears are so great in winter recipes. They bring a great crunch to this recipe.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Pomegranate arils add a tart flavor to the salad that is perfection. If the texture isn’t your thing, replace them with dried cranberries.
- Crispy Leeks: Read how to make crispy leeks below. If you don’t like leeks, very thinly cut red onion would be delicious here.
- Citrus Dressing: We are going to make a vinaigrette with olive oil, lemon juice, and orange juice that compliments the ingredients so well.
How to Prepare Kale
When you are buying kale, you can buy it in bunches or pre-cut. There are definitely benefits to both. Either way, you want to look for kale that is bright green without browning leaves. I like to buy a bunch of kale. I cut out the thick stems from each leaf and then I chop the kale in big bunches.
If you think you don’t like kale, it might just be that it’s never been prepared well for you. It is such a thick and fibrous green, it really needs to be treated before tossed in a salad. To do that, you will want to massage it with lemon juice, salt, or salad dressing. That will tenderize the kale and make it perfect for the salad. For this recipe, massage a tablespoon of the dressing into the kale before adding the rest of the ingredients to the salad.
How to Make Crispy Leeks
Crispy leeks add a nice little smoky flavor to this salad. They are easy to make and great on so many things, like my Hummus Charcuterie Board.
- Trim off the roots and slice the leek in half. Then cut it into thin strips.
- Heat vegetable oil in a small frying pan. To test if it is ready, add one leek piece. It should begin bubbling right away.
- Fry the leeks in batches, removing them with a slotted fork or spoon to a paper towel lined plate once they begin to lightly brown around the edges.
Storing
Leftovers of this salad can be stored for up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I suggest using only the tablespoon of dressing on the salad and letting guests dress their salad. This way the leftovers won’t be overdressed and they will last well in the refrigerator. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.
More Holiday Side Dishes
If you are putting out a full spread, here are some other great dishes that would go great with this salad recipe.
If you make this salad recipe or any of my other sides, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Winter Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups kale (536 grams)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (37.3 grams)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese (56 grams)
- 1 medium pear sliced
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries (58 grams)
- 1 leek sliced thin, one inch into the green and fried (see instructions for frying in notes)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil (66.7 grams)
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash of pepper
Instructions
Dressing
- To make the dressing, add all of the dressing ingredients to a small mason jar. Shake to combine.
Salad
- Add the kale to a large serving bowl. Top with one tablespoon of the prepared dressing. With clean hands, massage the dressing into the kale.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the serving bowl. Layer on the pear slices, and finally the rest of the ingredients.
- Set the dressing off to the side to allow guests to dress their own salads.
Notes
Korey Lucas says
What can the orange juice be replaced with in the winter salad dressing? I’m allergic to oranges. Or is there another dressing that would be good?
I have so many great salad dressing recipes that would be good on this, but I would probably pick my Balsamic Dressing.