Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is the perfect way to bring color, crunch, and seasonal flavor to your cold-weather table. With juicy pears, tart cranberries, toasted pecans, and creamy blue cheese, this simple salad is elevated by a crisp vinaigrette made from pantry staples. Whether you’re serving it for the holidays or as a refreshing lunch, this salad balances sweet, salty, and tangy in every bite.
Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is the answer to heavy seasonal dishes that need a bright contrast. It’s easy to prepare, beautiful on the table, and endlessly customizable. The vinaigrette is a simple but flavorful mix of vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, tossed over winter greens like spinach, arugula, and romaine. The mix of textures—from crisp pears to chewy cranberries and crunchy nuts—makes every forkful satisfying.
Table of Contents
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Seasonal and refreshing with cold-hardy greens
- Quick to prep—done in under 20 minutes
- Beautiful presentation for dinner parties or holiday meals
- Flexible with substitutions and add-ins
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian
Need more side dish inspiration? Try our Apple Walnut Salad or Endive Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Salad
- 10 oz mixed greens (spinach, romaine, arugula)
- 3 ripe pears, chopped (Bosc or Anjou)
- 2 cups pecan halves (toasted if desired)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (or goat/feta cheese)
For the Vinaigrette
- 6 tbsp white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp sugar (optional for sweetness)
🔪 Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, chopped pears, cranberries, and pecans.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together vinegar, Dijon, olive oil, salt, and optional sugar until emulsified.
- Just before serving, drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Top with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.
⏱ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Approx.)
- Calories: 415
- Fat: 34g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 5g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 223mg
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and vary with ingredients.
🍊 Tips & Variations
- Use apples (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp) instead of pears
- Substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios
- Try goat cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan in place of blue cheese
- Add-ins: pomegranate seeds, roasted sweet potatoes, shredded carrots
- Try a citrus vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing if desired
- Add protein: grilled chicken or chickpeas for a complete meal
🙋♀️ FAQs
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, but keep components separate. Combine greens, nuts, and cranberries in a bowl. Store chopped pears in lemon water and refrigerate. Add cheese and dressing just before serving.
Q: How do I keep pears from browning?
Toss cut pears in lemon juice or wait to slice until right before serving.
Q: Can I use a different vinegar?
Champagne vinegar is ideal, but apple cider or white balsamic also work well.
Q: Is the dressing too vinegary?
If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the vinegar slightly or add a touch more olive oil or sugar.
Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
Equipment
- – Large salad bowl
- – Small mixing bowl or mason jar
- – Whisk or fork
- – Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- **Salad**
- – 10 oz mixed greens
- – 3 pears chopped
- – 2 cups pecan halves
- – 1 cup dried cranberries
- – ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- **Vinaigrette**
- – 6 tbsp white wine or champagne vinegar
- – 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- – ½ cup olive oil
- – ¼ tsp salt
- – ¼ tsp sugar optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix greens, pears, cranberries, and pecans.
- In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, Dijon, olive oil, salt, and sugar.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently.
- Top with blue cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
– Toast pecans for extra flavor
– Dressing keeps 1–2 weeks refrigerated in a sealed jar
🍽 Conclusion
Winter Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is fresh, flavorful, and the perfect seasonal balance to hearty holiday dishes. With simple prep, gorgeous presentation, and the flexibility to make it your own, this salad is a must-have all winter long. Whether it’s for a weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, it’s sure to win rave reviews.