21 Winter Salads to Make in December
Save money (to use for holiday shopping!) and enjoy more flavorful winter salads by shopping seasonally. Here’s how to turn that gorgeous December produce into salads that will make you the star of every holiday gathering—or just your own kitchen.
December isn’t just for sugar cookies and eggnog (though we love those too!). It’s the perfect time to embrace fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies that are as delicious as they are budget-friendly. Yes, winter salads are a thing, and they’re here to bring brightness and crunch to your holiday table.
Let’s explore what’s in season this month, why in-season produce is a win for your wallet and taste buds, and—of course—some incredible winter salad ideas to inspire you!
- Why Choose In-Season Produce?
- What’s in Season in December?
-
Fresh, Seasonal, and Oh-So-Tasty Winter Salads to Make in December
- Pomegranate and Apple Green Christmas Salad
- Easy Christmas Roasted Beet Salad
- Cranberry and Mandarin Orange Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
- Tomato Green Bean Salad with Feta
- Classic Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Salad
- Arugula Salad with Pears and Goat Cheese
- Vegan Fall Salad with Creamy Mustard Tahini Dressing
- Winter Quinoa Salad
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad
- Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Montreal Steak and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
- Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing
- Roasted Pear Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Almonds
- Winter Citrus Salad
- Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing
- Quick and Easy Kale and Apple Salad
- Butter Bean and Walnut Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
Why Choose In-Season Produce?
- Fresher Flavors: In-season produce is picked at its peak, which means it’s bursting with flavor.
- Budget-Friendly: Less travel time = lower prices.
- Eco-Friendly: Locally grown and seasonal produce has a smaller carbon footprint.
What’s in Season in December?
December’s produce isn’t just about hearty root veggies (though they’re stars too). You’ll find crisp greens, jewel-toned fruits, and even winter squash that add cozy sweetness. Here’s the lineup of what’s in season in December:
- Fruits: Pomegranates, apples, oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, pears, and even blueberries.
- Veggies: Kale, arugula, spinach, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans.
- Root Veggies & Squash: Beets, carrots, radishes, sweet potatoes, butternut, and acorn squash.
Fresh, Seasonal, and Oh-So-Tasty Winter Salads to Make in December
Save money (to use for holiday shopping!) and enjoy more flavorful winter salads by shopping seasonally. Here’s how to turn that gorgeous December produce into salads that will make you the star of every holiday gathering—or just your own kitchen.
Pomegranate and Apple Green Christmas Salad
This flavorful Pomegranate and Apple Green Christmas Salad is full of fresh seasonal ingredients that are packed with antioxidants. This pomegranate salad recipe is crunchy, easy to make, and super festive! This salad is a perfect side dish for the winter holiday season!
Easy Christmas Roasted Beet Salad
This salad isn't just food; it's a celebration on a plate. Whether you're hosting a gathering or treating yourself to a solo culinary adventure, the Easy Roasted Beet Salad is your ticket to a flavor-packed experience.
Cranberry and Mandarin Orange Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
This salad is a nutritious delight featuring mixed greens, tangy mandarin oranges, cranberries, and crunchy almonds. Drizzle it with the refreshing Orange Poppy Seed Dressing for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Tomato Green Bean Salad with Feta
This Tomato and Green Bean Salad with Feta is a festive and easy option for any holiday gathering. Fresh green beans and tomatoes are tossed with a bed of seasonal greens and feta cheese, and it's the perfect way to add some seasonal color to the plate.
Classic Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Salad
Looking for the perfect side dish for your next BBQ or potluck? Check out this Classic Broccoli Cheddar Salad with Bacon recipe! The creamy dressing and crispy bacon will have your guests coming back for seconds.
Arugula Salad with Pears and Goat Cheese
This Arugula Salad with Pears and Goat Cheese is a deliciously hearty fall side dish that’s as easy to make as it is beautiful. With a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, it’s sure to be a hit whether you're enjoying it for lunch, dinner, or a festive gathering.
Vegan Fall Salad with Creamy Mustard Tahini Dressing
This Vegan Fall Salad with Creamy Mustard Tahini Dressing is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, yet light enough to leave you feeling energized. Whether you make this salad for lunch or dinner, this salad is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the best flavors of fall.
Winter Quinoa Salad
This Winter Quinoa Salad is a delightful mix of texture and flavors of autumn and winter. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, red apple, spinach, sunflower seeds, protein-rich quinoa, and an apple cider vinaigrette, this gluten-free, plant-based recipe is a show-stopper!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of tender diced chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and crisp celery, all mixed in a creamy dressing with a hint of honey and Dijon mustard. This refreshing salad offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, making it a versatile and satisfying dish for any occasion.
Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad
This healthy salad sensation features nutrient-packed kale, sweet apples, and antioxidant-rich blueberries, all dancing harmoniously with crispy bacon, and a luscious goat cheese twist topped with a delightful balsamic vinaigrette.
Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
This dinner salad isn't just a meal—it's an experience. It's a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. So, whether you're enjoying it as a solo supper or sharing it with loved ones, this Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing is sure to elevate any dinner table and leave you feeling nourished, satisfied, and utterly delighted.
Roasted Vegetable Salad
This roasted vegetable salad is a colourful and flavourful fall or winter salad that works equally well as a vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
This Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with cranberries is an easy to make Christmas salad with shredded fresh Brussels sprouts, toasted pecans, cranberries and a zippy vinaigrette. It’s also naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so that everyone at the table can enjoy it.
Montreal Steak and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
A high protein salad with a simple, homemade honey mustard dressing that takes just minutes to make using pantry staples you likely already have on hand! Your fork is waiting.
Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing
All the textures inside this Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing are incredible. Pear slices, honey roasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, red onion, leftover turkey and the gorgonzola dressing makes it over the top delicious!
Roasted Pear Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This Roasted Pear Salad is a deliciously hearty option for lunch or dinner. It’s quick to make, healthy, and bursting with sweet and savory flavors that’ll leave you craving more! Plus, it’s so versatile—you can dress it up or keep it simple, and it always turns out delicious.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Almonds
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon and Almonds is filled with fresh broccoli florets, crunchy cauliflower, almonds and red onions, tender bacon pieces and slivered carrots - a flavourful, colourful, healthy, and ideal salad for a BBQ or a picnic.
Winter Citrus Salad
This Winter Citrus Salad is the perfect winter salad to go with almost any meal. The tangy citrus vinaigrette, paired with salty feta, sweet figs, roasted pistachios and fresh greens will instantly make you feel like you have your life together.
Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing
Roasted sweet potatoes bring a touch of sweetness to a nutrient-packed mix of quinoa, black beans, and chopped baby kale. Topped with a creamy avocado dressing, crunchy pepitas, and sliced scallion, this vibrant bowl is a celebration of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.
Quick and Easy Kale and Apple Salad
This quick and easy Kale and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a celebration of wholesome goodness. Perfect for those busy days when you crave a healthy and satisfying meal without sacrificing on flavor.
Butter Bean and Walnut Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
A warm and hearty vegan and gluten-free kale salad featuring quinoa, sautéed butter beans, shallots, and walnuts, all topped with a luscious maple tahini dressing.
So, embrace winter’s bounty and add some of these winter salads to your holiday lineup. Not only will they keep you feeling good during cookie season, but they’ll also impress your guests. Who knew winter could be so fresh and flavorful?