Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is the perfect seasonal side dish that brings color, crunch, and contrast to your winter table. Loaded with crisp pears, sweet dried cranberries, salty blue cheese, and toasty pecans, it’s all tossed in a tangy white wine vinaigrette that balances every bite.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just want something refreshing next to a cozy casserole, this winter salad is quick to prepare and full of flavor.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍐 Combines fresh, sweet, salty, and tangy elements
- 🧀 Customizable with your favorite fruit, cheese, or nuts
- 🌿 Pairs well with roasted meats or vegetarian mains
- 🥗 Comes together in just 20 minutes
- 🎉 Elegant enough for holidays, simple enough for weeknights
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed winter greens (arugula, baby kale, spinach)
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (or feta/goat cheese)
- ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
For the Homemade Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together vinegar, Dijon, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, layer the greens, sliced pears, dried cranberries, crumbled cheese, and toasted pecans.
- Dress and toss: Just before serving, pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Tips & Variations
📝 Tips:
- Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to bring out flavor
- Slice pears just before serving to prevent browning
- For extra crunch, add thinly sliced red onion or roasted Brussels sprouts
🔄 Variations:
- Fruit: Swap pears for apples, oranges, or pomegranate seeds
- Cheese: Use goat cheese, gorgonzola, or shaved Parmesan
- Vinaigrette: Try balsamic or apple cider vinegar for a different twist
FAQs
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! Prep the salad ingredients and vinaigrette separately. Toss together just before serving.
Q: What’s the best substitute for blue cheese?
Goat cheese or feta offer a similar tang with a slightly milder flavor.
Q: Can I add protein to make it a meal?
Absolutely—top with grilled chicken, turkey, or chickpeas for a hearty salad.
Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
Equipment
- – Salad bowl
- – Small whisk or jar
- – Cutting board
Ingredients
- **Salad:**
- – 6 cups mixed greens
- – 2 ripe pears thinly sliced
- – ½ cup dried cranberries
- – ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- – ½ cup chopped pecans toasted
- **Vinaigrette:**
- – ¼ cup white wine or champagne vinegar
- – 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- – ½ tsp honey
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ¼ tsp black pepper
- – ⅓ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Whisk vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
- In a large bowl, combine greens, pears, cranberries, cheese, and pecans.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss just before serving.
Notes
– Make dressing up to 5 days ahead
– Add protein for a full meal
Conclusion
Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is the crisp, colorful companion every cozy meal deserves. It’s refreshing, festive, and flexible enough to adapt to whatever you have on hand. With a quick whisk of vinaigrette and a handful of seasonal ingredients, you’ll have a salad that impresses without stress.