Cozy Winter Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe

A hearty winter salad with maple Dijon vinaigrette brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Crisp seasonal greens mingle with unexpected textures and vibrant colors.

Roasted nuts and tender root vegetables create delightful complexity on your plate.

Sweet maple notes dance alongside tangy mustard undertones, promising a harmonious flavor profile.

Delicate leaves catch golden dressing droplets, making each bite a miniature culinary adventure.

Nutritious ingredients combine effortlessly in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Discover how these carefully selected components will transform your dinner experience.

What’s Inside This Maple Dijon Salad

• Butternut Squash: Sweet winter vegetable with golden caramelized edges.
• Beets: Earthy root vegetable with deep ruby color.

• Kale, Arugula: Hearty and peppery salad base with robust texture.

• Apple Slices: Crisp fruit for sweet and tart balance.
• Avocado: Creamy element adding richness to the salad.
• Pecans, Cranberries: Crunchy nuts and tangy dried fruit for textural contrast.

• Olive Oil, Maple Syrup, Dijon Mustard, Vinegar: Smooth and balanced dressing base.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic flavor enhancers for balancing overall taste.

How to Make Winter Salad with Vinaigrette

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Vegetables

Crank up the oven to a toasty 400°F.

Grab your butternut squash and chop into bite-sized cubes.

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Spread them on a baking sheet and roast until they’re golden and tender, about 25 minutes.

For beets, roast separately, then peel and cube when cool.

Step 2: Whip Up Zingy Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

Shake or whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 3: Soften Leafy Greens

Toss kale into a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle with a touch of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Use your hands to massage the greens for 1-2 minutes until they become silky and vibrant green.

Step 4: Build Colorful Salad

• Massaged kale
• Arugula
• Roasted squash
• Roasted beets
• Crisp apple slices
• Creamy avocado
• Crunchy pecans
• Tart cranberries

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the maple Dijon vinaigrette over the salad.

Gently toss to coat everything evenly.

Give it a quick taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Serve right away and enjoy the winter flavor explosion!

Tips for Crisp, Flavorful Winter Salad

• Softening the kale before adding other ingredients helps break down tough fibers, making it more tender and easier to digest. The olive oil and salt help tenderize the leaves quickly.
• Cubing squash and beets before roasting ensures even cooking and creates delicious caramelized edges that add depth to the salad's taste profile.
• Roast vegetables and prepare vinaigrette in advance to save time. Store separately in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving to maintain crisp textures.
• Replace pecans with walnuts or pumpkin seeds for different crunch. Swap cranberries with pomegranate seeds or dried cherries for varied sweetness and texture.
• Cut avocado just before serving to prevent browning. Toss with a little lemon juice to maintain bright green color and prevent oxidation.

How to Store Leftover Winter Salad

• Store salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep vinaigrette in a sealed jar. Roasted vegetables and massaged kale can stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Keep nuts and fruits in separate containers to prevent sogginess. Add these just before serving to maintain crispness and texture.
• Gently warm roasted vegetables in a skillet or microwave for 30-45 seconds. Avoid overheating to preserve their texture and flavor.
• When ready to eat, reassemble salad ingredients and drizzle with fresh vinaigrette. Toss gently to revive the salad's original vibrancy.

Pairing Options for Maple Dijon Salad

• Pair Maple-Sweet Red Wine: Select a late harvest Cabernet or Zinfandel with rich berry notes that complement the maple syrup's sweetness and balance the earthy roasted vegetables.
• Enhance Herbal Cheese Match: Crumble fresh goat cheese or aged sharp white cheddar over the salad, which cuts through the vinaigrette's tanginess and adds creamy texture against the crunchy pecans.
• Create Warming Side Beverage: Brew a spiced chai tea or mulled apple cider to echo the winter salad's seasonal ingredients, bringing warmth and complementary spice notes that highlight the roasted squash and beets.
• Boost Flavor with Nutty Garnish: Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds or additional chopped pecans to introduce extra crunch and nutty undertones that harmonize with the maple Dijon dressing's complex flavor profile.

Swaps and Add-Ons for Winter Salad

• Vegan Winter Delight: Replace honey with agave nectar in the vinaigrette. Swap pecans for sunflower seeds and use dairy-free cheese or roasted chickpeas for protein.
• Gluten-Free Garden Bowl: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Add quinoa as a base for extra nutrition and substitute wheat-based ingredients with gluten-free alternatives.
• Low-Carb Veggie Remix: Remove apple and cranberries. Add grilled chicken or tofu. Increase roasted vegetables like cauliflower and zucchini to boost volume without adding carbohydrates.
• Mediterranean Fusion Salad: Replace maple syrup with pomegranate molasses. Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap pecans for pine nuts for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

FAQs

• Why massage kale before adding it to the salad?

Massaging breaks down the tough fibers, making kale softer, more tender, and easier to digest. It also reduces the bitter taste and helps the leaves absorb dressing more effectively.

• Can I substitute other nuts for pecans?

Yes, walnuts or almonds work great as alternatives. They provide similar crunch and nutty flavor to complement the roasted vegetables and fruits in the salad.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

Add grilled chicken, crumbled goat cheese, or roasted chickpeas to increase protein content. These additions will transform the salad into a more substantial meal.

• Is it okay to prepare components of the salad in advance?

Absolutely! Roast vegetables and make vinaigrette ahead of time. Keep ingredients separate and combine just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent soggy textures.

Why Winter Salad Deserves the Spotlight

• Packed with vibrant vegetables like kale, butternut squash, and beets, this salad delivers a supercharged nutritional punch that keeps your body energized and healthy.
• Despite looking fancy, this recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for home cooks who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flexible ingredients allow you to swap or add components based on what's in your pantry, ensuring a delightful meal that matches your taste and available produce.
• Embraces winter's best ingredients, transforming cold-weather produce into a stunning, colorful dish that brings warmth and excitement to your dining table.

Winter Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp winter salad with maple dijon vinaigrette brings seasonal produce together in a refreshing medley of textures and flavors. Juicy roasted pears, toasted pecans, and tangy goat cheese create a delightful harmony that will elevate your winter dining experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) kale, stems removed and torn into pieces
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) arugula
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) roasted butternut squash, cubed
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) cooked beets, cubed or sliced
• 1 red apple, thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced

Nuts and Dried Fruits:

• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) candied pecans
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dried cranberries

Dressing Components:

• (Maple dijon vinaigrette ingredients not specified in original recipe)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cube butternut squash and toss with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper for robust flavor profile.
2. Spread squash on baking sheet, roasting for 25 minutes until caramelized edges develop and vegetable becomes tender.
3. Simultaneously prepare roasted beets, ensuring they are peeled and cubed after roasting.
4. Create vinaigrette by whisking maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small container until fully integrated and smooth.
5. Transform kale’s texture by massaging with olive oil and salt for 1-2 minutes, softening leaves and deepening their vibrant green color.
6. Combine massaged kale with peppery arugula in a large mixing bowl.
7. Layer roasted squash, beets, crisp apple slices, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, and tart cranberries over greens.
8. Drizzle maple Dijon vinaigrette across salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
9. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring balanced flavors throughout the dish.
10. Serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and temperature of ingredients.

Notes

• Roasting veggies slowly caramelizes their natural sugars, creating deeper, richer flavor profiles that transform winter vegetables from bland to bold.
• Massaging kale breaks down tough fibers, making it tender and more digestible while reducing its bitter edge and enhancing overall salad texture.
• Swap ingredients easily to accommodate dietary needs: use sunflower seeds for nut allergies, replace honey for vegan options, or add goat cheese for extra protein.
• Prepare roasted vegetables and vinaigrette ahead of time to streamline meal preparation and ensure a quick, fresh salad assembly when ready to serve.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg