5 Cozy Winter Salads That Warm You from the Inside Out

While spring and summer have the advantage of farmers' market produce, winter can’t be overlooked as a great time to make a hearty, fresh salad. Root veggies like potatoes, turnips, and sweet potatoes are in season, as well as leafy greens like kale and Swiss chard. Winter salads can also be dressed up with seasonal fruits like pears, pomegranates, and grapefruit.

Winter is also a great time to heat up your salad a little, whether it’s by topping your greens with a warm protein, stirring in cooked quinoa or farro, or even toasting a veggie like sweet potato before tossing it in. Here are a few warm salad options to try this season.

1. Copycat Chicken Pesto Parm Bowl

Our riff on a classic Sweetgreen salad is the perfect warm winter lunch. The combination of roasted broccoli, chicken, and quinoa will keep you full and satisfied for hours. And if you’re someone who believes every salad needs leafy greens to truly qualify, this cozy bowl includes a few handfuls of baby spinach. Don’t skip making your own croutons, either—the za’atar-seasoned bites for this recipe truly make it shine.

2. Warm Spanish-Style Giant-Bean Salad with Smoked Paprika and Celery

This appetizer might not be the most traditional salad on the list, but if you’re like us and you’ve seen dense-bean salads trending all over TikTok, you’ll want to give this one a try.

It combines your choice of beans with smoked paprika, garlic, shallots, and tomato paste for a warm bean salad best served with crusty bread for scooping. Pair it with a small charcuterie board, and you won’t feel like you’re eating salad at all.

3. Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing

If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, one way to warm up a salad for winter is by heating up the dressing. It’s less time-consuming than cooking chicken or roasting veggies, so it’s perfect for making a warm salad in 20 minutes or less.

This recipe pairs sweet maple syrup and honey with tangy balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard, plus a pinch of smoked paprika. Quickly heat the dressing in a skillet, then pour it over a simple salad with spinach, toasted almonds, apple slices, and feta cheese.

4. Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon and Hazelnut Vinaigrette

Brussels sprouts are a great seasonal ingredient for winter salads. If you weren’t a fan of this veggie as a child, we promise today’s Brussels sprouts aren’t as bitter as you remember. This seven-ingredient salad uses Brussels sprouts as a base, then tops them with bacon, hazelnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette. For added richness, don’t skip cooking the Brussels sprouts in some of the leftover bacon fat.

5. Warm Barley and Caramelized Mushroom Salad

Rather than lettuce or greens, this recipe uses barley as a base for an extra-hearty meal or side dish. Caramelized mushrooms are the real star, and the main veggie in this warm winter bowl. Chopped sage adds a bit of green and extra earthiness, while a variety of mushrooms brings out umami flavors. If you want to bulk it up and add more protein, try stirring in a cup of rotisserie chicken, or even a few slices of steak.

Although some produce is out of season, your winter doesn’t have to be salad-free. If you use what’s available and add a few warm ingredients, winter salads can be a delicious, cozy, and satisfying meal to shake up your usual cold-weather menu.