10 Main Dish Salads That Make the Most of Seasonal Produce

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Salads that are more than just a side dish? Yes, please! These hearty, colorful creations are the perfect winter meals that’ll have you feeling full and fabulous without slaving over a stove. We’ve got everything from Spinach Salad with Crispy Pancetta and Candied Nuts to the vibrant Sweet Potato Noodles Salad with Cabbage and Lentils—seriously, who knew a salad could be this satisfying? Or try the juicy Winter Roasted Butternut Squash Black Lentil Salad with Grapes + Arugula or Kale Orange Salad for some citrusy crunch. So, if you’re ready to turn your salad game up a notch, dive into these show-stopping, nutrient-packed beauties!

Spinach Salad with Crispy Pancetta and Candied Nuts

A close-up of a fresh salad topped with nuts, seeds, dried cranberries, and shredded coconut on a white plate. The vibrant greens are mixed with the crunchy toppings, giving the salad a colorful and textured appearance.
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Spinach Salad with Crispy Pancetta and Candied Nuts is the ultimate winter salad that combines the crunch of candied nuts, the savory goodness of pancetta, and the freshness of spinach. It’s a perfect side to warm up your meal or a main course if you’re feeling fancy. Sweet, salty, and full of flavor, what’s not to love?
Get the Recipe: Spinach Salad with Crispy Pancetta and Candied Nuts

Pear & Arugula Chickpea Salad

A bowl of salad containing arugula, chickpeas, chopped pear, pine nuts, and hemp seeds. A fork is placed on the side of the bowl. The bowl is set on a white and blue-striped napkin.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

Pear & Arugula Chickpea Salad – A bright, healthy winter lunch packed with juicy pears, chickpeas, seeds, nuts, fennel, and a zingy lemon vinaigrette. Vegan, gluten-free, and totally crave-worthy!
Get the Recipe: Pear & Arugula Chickpea Salad

Citrus Cabbage Salad

A vibrant salad featuring sliced oranges, watermelon radishes, avocado, and carrots, garnished with almonds, sunflower seeds, and fresh herbs. Served on a white plate with a blue floral pattern and accompanied by a pair of spoons.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

Citrus Napa Cabbage Salad – A healthy, crunchy winter side packed with napa cabbage, carrots, avocado, and herbs, all tossed in a tangy miso dressing. It’s the perfect balance of fresh and satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Citrus Cabbage Salad

Winter Roasted Butternut Squash Black Lentil Salad with Grapes + Arugula

Plates of arugula salad topped with halved grapes, diced roasted squash, and walnuts are arranged on a table. A small bowl of dressing and a fork are nearby.
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

Winter Roasted Butternut Squash Lentil Salad – A hearty, wholesome dish with roasted butternut squash, juicy grapes, and a creamy tahini dressing. Perfectly paired with arugula, it’s a vibrant salad that’ll keep you warm and fueled through the season!
Get the Recipe: Winter Roasted Butternut Squash Black Lentil Salad with Grapes + Arugula

Sweet Potato Noodles Salad with Cabbage and Lentils

A colorful salad in a white bowl featuring spiralized carrots, purple cabbage, mixed greens, lentils, and topped with fresh cilantro on a white tablecloth.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Sweet Potato Noodles Salad with Cabbage and Lentils – A warm and hearty salad that’s perfect for winter. Full of vibrant colors, packed with nutrients, and bursting with flavor, this dish is a satisfying winter winner!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Noodles Salad with Cabbage and Lentils

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

A fresh salad with shredded Brussels sprouts, grated cheese, pine nuts, and dark olives in a decorative bowl. Two lemon slices are placed on top. A striped napkin is partially visible beside the bowl.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

Brussels Sprout Salad – This easy and delicious winter salad is perfect for making ahead for those busy holiday gatherings or even a quick weekday lunch. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and full of flavor!
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Kale Orange Salad

A vibrant salad featuring kale, blood orange slices, mandarin segments, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted almond slices, elegantly arranged on a white plate.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Kale Orange Salad – A zesty, citrus-packed winter salad that’s loaded with fresh goodness and topped with a sunny vinaigrette. A fun and vibrant twist on the usual side salad.
Get the Recipe: Kale Orange Salad

Winter Pear, Pomegranate & Swiss Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A salad in a decorative bowl, featuring lettuce, sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, shredded cheese, and chopped nuts. A spoon rests in the bowl.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Winter Pear, Pomegranate & Swiss Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect way to fuel your body and mind with the best of winter’s produce. A refreshing mix of pears, pomegranate, and Swiss cheese, topped with a tangy dressing for that extra burst of flavor. It’s the healthy, robust salad that keeps you feeling energized and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Winter Pear, Pomegranate & Swiss Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Spiralized Raw Beet Salad with Blood Oranges

A plate of spiralized beetroot and carrot salad garnished with fresh herbs. Surrounding the plate are beet greens and a halved blood orange on a light background.
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Spiralized Raw Beet Salad with Blood Oranges is a vibrant, vegan delight that showcases the best of winter produce. Packed with vitamins and flavor, this refreshing salad is as beautiful as it is easy to make. A perfect winter dish to keep you feeling nourished and full of energy!
Get the Recipe: Spiralized Raw Beet Salad with Blood Oranges

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A fresh salad with spinach, mandarin orange slices, avocado, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and almond slices, topped with a creamy poppy seed dressing.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Celebrate the best of winter produce with this Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing—a vibrant, refreshing dish that’s full of flavor and perfect for fueling the body during colder months!
Get the Recipe: Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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