4 Hearty Winter Salads We Have on Repeat

Summer is definitely one of our favorite seasons, but it’s already got a lot going for it. When it comes to winter, we sometimes need inspiration–especially in the form of comfort food. If you’re over the stews, casseroles and chilis, we suggest turning to something lighter, fresher–and packed with nutrients, like these weeknight-friendly, hearty winter salads.  With an assist from Nutritious Life founder Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and salad aficionado, and Chef Ryan Wombacher, executive chef at Gemstone Group’s Citrine and Topaz Cafes in suburban Chicago, we developed four hearty winter salads to get all your taste buds humming.  Dig in, and don’t tell summer just how much you love the winter salad season. 4 Hearty Winter Salads to Inspire Your Next Weeknight Dinner  Winter Endive Salad w/ Pear & Mushrooms This recipe pairs slightly bitter Belgian endives with button mushrooms and crisp Bartlett pears. It tops it with crunchy toasted walnuts and a lemon-apple cider vinaigrette. Arugula Salad with Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts The sweet potatoes in this arugula salad are not only delicious but super satisfying. They contrast perfectly with peppery, slightly bitter arugula. Dress it with our honey balsamic vinaigrette for a sweet and sour punch, topped with a dollop of goat cheese for a creamy, satisfying flavor.  Enjoy with a side of hearty crackers or our nut and seed bread. Hearty Kale with Crisp Apples, Spiced Pepitas + Goat Cheese This salad begins with hearty kale. We suggest Tuscan kale (also called dinosaur kale or lacinato kale) for its sturdy, dark green leaves and mild flavor. Pair it with tartly sweet Honeycrisp apples, spiced pepitas, and creamy goat cheese, drizzled with an apple cider-maple vinaigrette.  Beet Salad with Grapefruit, Feta and Pistachios Chef Ryan Wombacher’s beet salad is simple but so perfectly balanced. With its earthy, sweet beets and bright citrus notes on a bed of bibb lettuce, we’re sure you’ll be adding this salad to your regular rotation. It’s topped with tangy feta cheese and slightly sweet pistachios for a flavor combination that hits all the right notes. (Images: Shutterstock)

11 Hearty Winter Salads to Warm Up Your Winter

 By April Dupee Cold winter weather begs for warm foods like soups, casseroles, and…salads? Sure, comfort food and salads don’t typically go hand-in-hand, but these hearty warm salad recipes will change your mind. Here, you’ll find salads packed with roasted veggies, filling grains, and delicious winter flavors that are guaranteed to satisfy. These recipes are just as soul-soothing as your favorite comfort foods but loaded with the nutrients you need to stay healthy all winter long. RELATED: 7 Delicious, Easy Grain Salads That Are Filled With Vegetables So, whether you want to swap out your cold greens or give your winter diet a nutritious boost, you’ll want to warm up to these hearty salad recipes ASAP. Fresh Mozzarella Farro Salad Tomato and mozzarella salad get a hearty winter upgrade thanks to farro. This ancient grain—packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals—is cooked in phytonutrient-rich vegetable stock to create a flavorful and filling base. Top with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, onion, and basil for a simple and delicious winter salad. Warm Balsamic Kale Salad How to create the ultimate healthy comfort food: add mushrooms. This powerhouse food brings a savory, satisfying umami flavor, plus tons of nutrients like vitamin D, folate, and selenium, a nutrient important for immune and thyroid health. Pinch of Yum’s balsamic kale salad is tossed with sautéed mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, and Asiago cheese for a nourishing and flavorful winter meal.  Warm Brussels Sprout and Kale Salad with Tofu Nutritious salad meets cozy winter flavors in this tasty recipe from Heartbeet Kitchen. Everybody’s favorite cruciferous veggie brings gut-friendly fiber, while tofu soaked in a delicious maple glaze brings in the protein. Don’t forget the rosemary for an extra dose of antioxidants and flavor. Warm Quinoa Salad Brighten up your winter with this fresh and filling salad from Nutrition Stripped. Quinoa and sautéed kale provide a warm and nutrient-dense base that will keep you feeling full for hours. Add lemon and pomegranates for a burst of tart flavor and immunity-boosting vitamin C. RELATED: The Cruciferous Vegetable Benefits You Should Tap Into ASAP Asparagus Farro Salad Hearty and earthy farro offers a protein-packed base perfect for a warm winter salad. Add mushrooms and crunchy asparagus for an easy, filling winter dish that’s loaded with fiber and vitamin K (great for bone health). Warm Chicken Salad Your go-to chicken salad gets a winter makeover in this Food52 recipe, in which warm and crispy roasted chicken and potatoes complement crunchy lettuce and fresh chives. Try this easy recipe when you want a hearty quick meal. Red Curry Miso Roasted Veggie Bowl Spicy warm sauce, sweet veggies, and fresh greens—this Love and Lemon salad has it all. Roasted veggies like squash, potatoes, and eggplant are tossed with swiss chard, an often-overlooked green that’s just as nutritious as kale. Rich in vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like iron and magnesium, this hearty green is one you’ll want to start adding to your diet. Warm Roasted Winter Salad Bowl Take comfort food classics like gold potatoes and green beans up a notch in this fiber-rich salad bowl from Oh She Glows. Toss these hearty veggies with quinoa, green onions, kale, and creamy avocado for a healthy cozy meal. Turkey Taco Salad Need an excuse to eat more tacos? This turkey taco salad filled with lean protein can help you with that. Simply pile turkey (seasoned with warming and inflammation-fighting spices like cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder) onto crunchy romaine for an easy weeknight meal. Taco Tuesday never tasted so good. Warm Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Sometimes simple is best. Just toss roasted butternut squash—which has vitamins A and C and magnesium—with toasted pecans and spinach for the easiest warm winter salad ever, courtesy of Minimalist Baker. Quick and Easy Roasted Veggie Salad Try this one from The Kitchn when you want a hearty weeknight meal with minimal effort. Just chop and roast mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and shallots in the oven and toss with baby kale. Crunchy pumpkin seeds, with iron and zinc, add an extra level of satisfaction. (Photos: Shutterstock & Nutritious Life)