Winter Salad with Citrus, Pomegranate, Feta, and Candied Pecans Recipe
This vibrant Winter Salad combines the fresh and crisp tastes of mixed spring greens with sweet orange segments, tangy pomegranate seeds, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy candied pecans. Tossed in a homemade honey-Dijon dressing featuring olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and minced shallots, this salad is perfect for a refreshing, healthy, and colorful meal or side dish during the colder months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 7 cups mixed spring greens
- 1 1/4 cups orange segments (mandarin, oranges, clementines, or tangerines)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (canned) or substitute with dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup candied pecans, roughly chopped
For the Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Place the mixed spring greens, orange segments, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and roughly chopped candied pecans into a large salad bowl, ensuring all components are evenly combined.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced shallot, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture to your preferred taste. Gently toss all ingredients together to coat the salad evenly without bruising the delicate greens. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy its freshness. Any leftover dressing can be saved for future use.
Notes
- Substitute pomegranate seeds with dried cranberries if fresh seeds are unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing to achieve desired sweetness.
- Candied pecans can be replaced with any other preferred nuts, but they should be candied for the sweet crunch.
- For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or replace with a plant-based alternative, and use agave syrup in place of honey.
- This salad is best served fresh as the greens may wilt if dressed too far in advance.
Keywords: Winter Salad, mixed greens, orange segments, pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, candied pecans, honey Dijon dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian
