What can I eat instead of salad in the winter?

Pop in some protein- add lean meats, chicken, fish such as salmon or mackerel, lentils and beans, chickpeas, feta, halloumi, falafels or egg . Chuck in some carbs- examples that warm up nicely include new potatoes, sweet potato, quinoa, couscous, spelt, rice or pasta.

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad?

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad Using the wrong pasta. The wrong pasta type or size can make pasta salad soggy, slimy, or just plain hard to eat. ... Salting only once, at the end. ... Too many raw ingredients! ... Overdressing or underdressing the salad. ... Not seasoning again just before serving.

How do you eat healthy but not like salad?

17 Healthy Lunches For People Who Hate Salad Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowls. averiecooks.com. ... Green Goddess Sandwiches. ... Make-Ahead Southeast Asian Pho in a Jar. ... Grilled Chicken Veggie Bowls. ... Zucchini Noodles With Kale Pesto. ... Spanakopita Quesadillas. ... Lentil and Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus Wrap. ... DIY Starbucks Protein Box. More items... Apr 27, 2016

What salad is good to eat everyday?

When it comes to leafy greens, darker is better. They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce.

Should I rinse pasta for a cold salad?

If you're making a dish that will be served chilled or at room temp—think cold soba, rice noodles, pasta salad— you do want to rinse so that you get toothsome (sorry) individual strands rather than one big gummy clump . Certain types of noodles benefit from a rinse in almost all applications.

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad?

Is Your Salad Healthy? 7 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging It, According to Registered Dietitians Mistake 1: Forgetting Protein. ... Mistake 2: Drowning in Dressing. ... Mistake 3: Packaged Dressings. ... Mistake 4: Going Crazy on the Croutons. ... Mistake 6: Using Light Greens. Mar 27, 2023

Is it healthy to eat pasta salad every day?

If you love pasta, there's no reason to cut it out from your diet, the experts say. It can be a great way to pack in vegetables, healthy fats from nuts, olive oil and pasta sauces, Linsenmeyer says. " It's fine to include in a regular diet as often as every day . It really is."

What is a good substitute for salad?

Avocado Toast. Toast, indeed bread, in general, is often vilified and a no-go for many. ... Vegetable Soup. This can take any guise; a smooth creamy soup, a clear broth with chopped vegetables thrown in or a more chunky thick minestrone style soup. ... Hummus on Toast. ... Buddha Bowl. ... One Pan-fried Eggs and Veg.

What should I eat instead of salad?

Try veggies with hummus, salad dressing or yogurt-based dips . Add diced veggies such as mushrooms, onions, peppers or carrots to meatloaf or meatballs. Add vegetables as a topping on your pizza. Make a quick lettuce-free salad by adding salad dressing to matchstick carrots or sliced cucumbers.

Should you eat salad in the winter?

Regardless of whatever your diet is, a nutritious winter salad can offer your body the essential nutrients and immunity boost it needs , all while enriching every bite with taste. Some people think that salad is a summer food but know it's not as it is equally important to incorporate during the winter season.

Is it okay to eat salads in winter?

While you might not crave salads as much during the colder months, Javitch says it's important to keep eating them because they have a job to do: "Raw fruits and leafy veggies have such a powerful healing and cleansing effect on the body," she explains, because contain a great deal of insoluble fiber.

EASY Winter Salad Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Jamielyn Nye
Updated November 22, 2023

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With flavorful colors and textures, this winter salad is full of seasonal fruits and nuts like butternut squash, apples, pecans, kale and pomegranate then served with a homemade vinaigrette. It’s easy to make and pairs wonderfully with any holiday meal!

EASY Winter Salad Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Favorite Winter Salad
How to Make the Perfect Winter Salad
Variations
Make it a Meal!
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love:
Winter Salad Printable Recipe

Favorite Winter Salad

I’m always looking for a salad worthy of my special holiday dinners. It needs to be pretty enough for the table, and spectacular enough to compete with the delicious menu and other holiday sides. And this winter salad is all of the above.

It starts with a kale base and is filled with tender roasted squash, crispy diced apples, pomegranates, chopped pecans and feta cheese with a tangy vinaigrette drizzled on top. It has all of the cozy flavors of winter wrapped up in one big healthy and vibrant salad.

It’s always nice to have at least one nutritious dish for your Thanksgiving menu or Christmas dinner and this winter salad is always our first choice. Even those that aren’t usually salad lovers will be reaching for this delicious side dish!

EASY Winter Salad Recipe - I Heart Naptime (3)

How to Make the Perfect Winter Salad

Kale: I love using this as the base of the salad. It’s packed with nutrients and holds up well due to it’s sturdy texture. The key is to chop it into small pieces and massage the kale with olive oil and lemon juice so that it tenderizes.
Butternut squash: This is a type of winter squash with a vibrant color and flavor. You can cook it in a skillet on the stove, or make roasted butternut squash in the oven.
Apples: Fresh diced apple adds a nice crunch and sweetness to this winter salad. Any variety will taste delicious, however my favorite type to use is honey crisp.
Pomegranates: Not only do these add a nice pop of color, but they taste delicious too! They’re fresh, juicy and add a burst of sweetness in every bite.
Pecans: These give this salad a nice crunch, with a buttery and nutty flavor. I typically use raw pecans that I chop into bite-size pieces.
Feta cheese: The tangy and salty feta cheese is a great way to balance out the sweet flavors from the apples and pomegranates.
Vinaigrette: I like to finish mine off with a drizzle of vinaigrette or balsamic dressing for an added boost of flavor.

TIP: Instead of buying the pricey precut squash, learn how to cut butternut squash easily in a matter of minutes. It’s super simple and way less expensive!

EASY Winter Salad Recipe - I Heart Naptime (4)

Variations

Feel free to swap the pecans for almonds, walnuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, pine nuts or these sweet candied pecans or mixed candied nuts.
You can substitute the apple for sliced pears or use dried cranberries instead of pomegranates.
Roasted sweet potato also tastes delicious in place of butternut squash.
Instead of feta, use crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese on top. Or omit it all together to make this a vegan salad.
You can always add in extras like sliced red onions, cornbread croutons, avocado or use a mix of your favorite greens like baby spinach or arugula. Don’t be afraid to make this winter salad your own!

Make it a Meal!

You can easily bulk up the salad to serve as your main dish. Add some shredded or roasted chicken or leftover turkey to add protein. Or keep it vegetarian and add in cooked quinoa and/or chickpeas. The options are endless!

More Salad Recipes You’ll Love:

Sweet Potato Salad with a Balsamic Glaze
Fresh Pear Salad with Pomegranates
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Honey Dijon
Mandarin Orange Salad with Cranberries
Easy Fall Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

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Winter Salad

5 from 2 votes

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Author: Jamielyn Nye

Flavorful winter salad filled with kale, butternut squash, diced apple, pomegranates, pecans, feta and topped with a tangy vinaigrette. It makes the perfect starter to a holiday meal, family party or dinner side!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

▢ 8 cups kale , washed and chopped into small pieces
▢ 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
▢ 1 cup diced butternut squash
▢ ½ small lemon , juiced
▢ 1 apple , cored and diced
▢ 1 pomegranate (about 1/2 cup seeds)
▢ ¼ cup chopped pecans , more as desired
▢ 1-2 ounces feta cheese , or goat cheese
▢ vinaigrette , for serving

Instructions

In a serving bowl, add the kale. Then add the olive oil and lemon juice. Massage the kale with your hands for a minute or two or until it turns a deep green color.
See Also
The Best Gluten Free Fish and Chips Recipe
Spray a little olive oil onto a small skillet. Add the diced butternut squash and cook over medium heat. Cook a couple of minutes and then flip. Cook until the edges are slightly golden.
Add the butternut squash to the kale. Then add the diced apples and pomegranate seeds. Sprinkle the pecans and cheese on top. Drizzle with a vinaigrette if desired. Toss and serve.

Notes

Nuts: You can substitute the pecans for almonds, walnuts or seeds. For a delicious addition, try using these candied pecans.

Fruit: You can substitute the apple for pear or dried cranberries for pomegranate seeds.

Butternut squash: You could also use roasted sweet potatoes or omit if desired.

Dressing: I usually just add a drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar. However you can use whichever dressing you prefer. This balsamic dressing or vinaigrette would be a great addition.

Nutrition

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Categorized as: American, Christmas, Dairy-Free, Fruit Salad, Gluten-Free, Salads, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

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