Fresh & Seasonal Winter Salads for Cold Weather
Winter salads prove that salads aren’t just for summer. With vegetarian, vegan, and meat free options, winter salads become heartier, more satisfying, and packed with seasonal flavour. Think roasted vegetables, crisp greens, juicy citrus, crunchy nuts, and warming spices — all combined into vibrant bowls that feel both nourishing and comforting.
These healthy winter salads celebrate the best cold-weather produce, from Brussels sprouts and kale to blood oranges, beetroot, and roasted squash. By combining fresh ingredients with warm elements, you get salads that are balanced, filling, and perfect for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re looking for a light side dish or a complete plant-based meal, winter salad recipes can be both wholesome and full of texture.
Easy Vegetarian, Vegan & Meat Free Winter Salad Recipes
Many of these recipes come together quickly, making them ideal for busy weeknights or simple meal prep. Roasted vegetables can be prepared in advance, grains like quinoa or lentils add protein, and seasonal dressings using citrus or mustard bring brightness to darker days.
From simple salads to colourful grain bowls and fresh citrus combinations, these vegetarian, vegan, and meat free winter salads are designed to be practical as well as delicious. They’re perfect for festive spreads, healthy comfort food dinners, or refreshing alternatives to heavier winter dishes.
Explore this collection and discover how seasonal, plant-based ingredients can transform simple vegetables into flavour-packed meals you’ll want to enjoy all season long.
Roasted Parsnip and Orange Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 40 minutes
Served warm with a generous drizzle of creamy tahini dressing, crunchy pecans and freshly chopped parsley, this Roasted Parsnip and Orange Salad makes a delicious appetizer, lunch or light dinner.
Persimmon Salad
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 10 minutes
This vibrant persimmon salad with burrata, figs, pomegranate, and toasted hazelnuts is a celebration of seasonal flavours.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh and crispy, this shaved Brussels sprouts salad is tossed in a zingy lemon dressing and combines thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, apple, dry cranberries, walnuts, parsley, and feta cheese.
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 40 minutes
This Mexican-inspired roasted sweet potato salad is a 40-minute plant-based delight! With black beans, corn, and a citrusy lime dressing, it makes a fresh and hearty meal.
Christmas Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 35 minutes
A festive Christmas salad wreath made with peppery rocket, figs in blankets, goat cheese pastry stars and a maple lemon dressing served on the side. Perfect for vegetarian and vegan-friendly Christmas tables.
Smoky Grain Salad [vegetarian]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 4 minutes
Hearty and satisfying, this smoky grain salad is made with roasted cauliflower and sweet potatoes mixed with quinoa and bulgur wheat.
![Smoky Grain Salad [vegetarian] 2020 © Annabelle Randles | The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Smoky-Grain-Salad-vegetarian-v8-2020-%C2%A9-Annabelle-Randles-The-Flexitarian-300x300.jpg)
Roasted Red Cabbage Salad
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 40 minutes
Tossed in a lemon and fennel dressing. this salad brings together some favourite winter flavours.
Orange & Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 20 minutes
Bright and colourful this Orange & Black Bean Quinoa Salad is quick and easy to prepare. Vegan and gluten-free, this is a delicious recipe filled with invigorating flavours.
![Orange & Black Bean Quinoa Salad [vegan] [gluten free]](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Orange-Black-Bean-Quinoa-Salad-vegan-v83%C2%A9-Annabelle-Randles-The-Flexitarian-300x300.jpg)
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Barley & Crunchy Chipotle Almonds [vegan]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 45 minutes
Quick and easy to prepare, this roasted cauliflower salad is served with barley, crunchy chipotle almonds, juicy pomegranate seeds and a generous amount of freshly chopped parsley.
Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Salad [vegan]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 45 minutes
This delicious roasted carrot and parsnip salad is tossed in a rich and creamy tahini dressing. Best eaten warm or at room temperature, this dish is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
![Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Salad [vegan] The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Roasted-Carrot-Parsnip-Salad-vegan-v8-%C2%A9-The-Flexitarian-300x300.jpg)
Festive Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh and delicious, this colourful festive salad will brighten up your holiday table or buffet.
Winter Puy Lentil Salad with Beetroot, Orange and Spinach
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 30 minutes
Served with a punchy ginger dressing this puy lentil salad packs a lot of flavours.
![Winter Puy Lentil Salad with Beetroot, Orange and Spinach [vegetarian] [gluten free] by The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-Puy-Lentil-Salad-with-Beetroot-Orange-and-Spinach-vegetarian-gluten-free-by-The-Flexitarian-Le-Flexitarien-Annabelle-Randles-%C2%A9-v8-300x300.jpg)
Golden Quinoa Salad with Roasted Cauliflower [vegetarian] [gluten free]
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 35 minutes
This Golden Quinoa Salad with Roasted Cauliflower makes a quick and healthy meal.
Jerusalem Artichoke, Walnut, Blood Orange & Rocket Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh, crunchy and colourful, this Jerusalem Artichoke, Walnut, Blood Orange & Rocket Salad will brighten up any grey winter day.
![Jerusalem Artichoke, Walnut, Blood Orange & Rocket Salad [vegan] [gluten free] by The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Jerusalem-Artichoke-Walnut-Blood-Orange-Rocket-Salad-vegan-gluten-free-by-The-Flexitarian-v8-V-300x300.jpg)
Parsnip, Lentil & Bean Salad with Pomegranate
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 40 minutes
Bursting with goodness this salad combines lentils, edamame and mung beans tossed in a maple dressing.
![Parsnip, Lentil & Bean Salad with Pomegranate [vegan] [gluten free] by The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Parsnip-Lentil-Bean-Salad-with-Pomegranate-vegan-gluten-free-by-The-Flexitarian-1-300x300.jpg)
Warm Lentil Salad With Smoked Tofu
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 50 minutes
This vegan warm lentil salad with smoked tofu was inspired by the classic French dish " Lentilles aux Lardons" (Lentils with Bacon).
![Warm Lentil Salad With Smoked Tofu [vegan] by The Flexitarian](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Warm-Lentil-Salad-With-Smoked-Tofu-800-300x300.jpg)
Roasted Parsnip and Orange Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 40 minutes
Served warm with a generous drizzle of creamy tahini dressing, crunchy pecans and freshly chopped parsley, this Roasted Parsnip and Orange Salad makes a delicious appetizer, lunch or light dinner.
Persimmon Salad
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 10 minutes
This vibrant persimmon salad with burrata, figs, pomegranate, and toasted hazelnuts is a celebration of seasonal flavours.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh and crispy, this shaved Brussels sprouts salad is tossed in a zingy lemon dressing and combines thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, apple, dry cranberries, walnuts, parsley, and feta cheese.
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 40 minutes
This Mexican-inspired roasted sweet potato salad is a 40-minute plant-based delight! With black beans, corn, and a citrusy lime dressing, it makes a fresh and hearty meal.
Christmas Salad
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 35 minutes
A festive Christmas salad wreath made with peppery rocket, figs in blankets, goat cheese pastry stars and a maple lemon dressing served on the side. Perfect for vegetarian and vegan-friendly Christmas tables.
Smoky Grain Salad [vegetarian]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 4 minutes
Hearty and satisfying, this smoky grain salad is made with roasted cauliflower and sweet potatoes mixed with quinoa and bulgur wheat.
Roasted Red Cabbage Salad
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 40 minutes
Tossed in a lemon and fennel dressing. this salad brings together some favourite winter flavours.
Orange & Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 20 minutes
Bright and colourful this Orange & Black Bean Quinoa Salad is quick and easy to prepare. Vegan and gluten-free, this is a delicious recipe filled with invigorating flavours.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Barley & Crunchy Chipotle Almonds [vegan]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 45 minutes
Quick and easy to prepare, this roasted cauliflower salad is served with barley, crunchy chipotle almonds, juicy pomegranate seeds and a generous amount of freshly chopped parsley.
Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Salad [vegan]
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 45 minutes
This delicious roasted carrot and parsnip salad is tossed in a rich and creamy tahini dressing. Best eaten warm or at room temperature, this dish is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Festive Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh and delicious, this colourful festive salad will brighten up your holiday table or buffet.
Winter Puy Lentil Salad with Beetroot, Orange and Spinach
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 30 minutes
Served with a punchy ginger dressing this puy lentil salad packs a lot of flavours.
Golden Quinoa Salad with Roasted Cauliflower [vegetarian] [gluten free]
Makes: 6 people
Ready In: 35 minutes
This Golden Quinoa Salad with Roasted Cauliflower makes a quick and healthy meal.
Jerusalem Artichoke, Walnut, Blood Orange & Rocket Salad
Makes: 4 people
Ready In: 10 minutes
Fresh, crunchy and colourful, this Jerusalem Artichoke, Walnut, Blood Orange & Rocket Salad will brighten up any grey winter day.
Parsnip, Lentil & Bean Salad with Pomegranate
Makes: 4 servings
Ready In: 40 minutes
Bursting with goodness this salad combines lentils, edamame and mung beans tossed in a maple dressing.
Warm Lentil Salad With Smoked Tofu
Makes: 6 servings
Ready In: 50 minutes
This vegan warm lentil salad with smoked tofu was inspired by the classic French dish " Lentilles aux Lardons" (Lentils with Bacon).
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