Hot Girl Winter Salad

Featured in: Simple Weeknight Dinners

This vibrant winter salad combines roasted carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes with a crisp mix of kale, arugula, and red cabbage. Pomegranate arils and toasted walnuts add texture and bursts of flavor, while a bright dressing of olive oil, citrus juices, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup ties everything together. Topped with crumbled feta, it's a refreshing, nutrient-rich option perfect for chilly days. Easily customized with proteins or nut-free alternatives, it’s a wholesome way to stay energized.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:45:00 GMT
Hot Girl Winter Salad with vibrant roasted vegetables and a zesty citrus dressing, delicious. Save
Hot Girl Winter Salad with vibrant roasted vegetables and a zesty citrus dressing, delicious. | dunebasil.com

A vibrant, nutrient-packed winter salad featuring roasted root vegetables, crisp greens, tangy citrus, and a zesty dressing—perfect for staying energized and glowing through the colder months.

This salad became my go-to during chilly days when I craved something fresh yet comforting.

Ingredients

  • Roasted Vegetables: 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced, 2 small beets peeled and diced, 1 small sweet potato peeled and cubed, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salad Base: 4 cups mixed winter greens (kale arugula or baby spinach), 1/2 cup thinly sliced red cabbage, 1/2 cup pomegranate arils, 1/3 cup toasted walnuts, 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit or substitute with vegan feta for dairy-free)
  • Dressing: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Vegetables:
Toss carrots beets and sweet potato with olive oil salt and pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Roast Vegetables:
Roast vegetables for 20–25 minutes stirring halfway until tender and slightly caramelized. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Make Dressing:
In a small bowl whisk together olive oil lemon juice orange juice Dijon mustard maple syrup salt and pepper to make the dressing.
Combine Salad:
In a large salad bowl combine winter greens red cabbage pomegranate arils and toasted walnuts.
Add Vegetables:
Add the cooled roasted vegetables and gently toss with the dressing.
Serve:
Top with crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.
A beautiful, colorful Hot Girl Winter Salad, with roasted root vegetables, ready to eat. Save
A beautiful, colorful Hot Girl Winter Salad, with roasted root vegetables, ready to eat. | dunebasil.com

This salad has brought many gatherings warmth as my family enjoys fresh seasonal flavors together.

Notes

Substitute goat cheese for feta if preferred. Pair with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with citrus.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, Parchment paper, Chefs knife, Cutting board, Mixing bowls, Whisk

Nutritional Information

Calories: 285, Total Fat: 16 g, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 6 g

Freshly made Hot Girl Winter Salad featuring colorful, perfectly roasted vegetables for a healthy meal. Save
Freshly made Hot Girl Winter Salad featuring colorful, perfectly roasted vegetables for a healthy meal. | dunebasil.com

This vibrant winter salad is a perfect balance of flavors and nutrition to brighten your cold days.

Recipe FAQs

→ What vegetables are roasted in this salad?

Carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are peeled, cubed, and roasted to bring out natural sweetness and a tender texture.

→ Can the feta cheese be substituted?

Yes, you can omit the feta for a dairy-free option or substitute it with vegan feta or goat cheese for a different flavor.

→ What dressing ingredients enhance the salad’s flavor?

The dressing combines extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon and orange juices, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper for a bright, tangy finish.

→ Are there nut-free alternatives for this salad?

Walnuts can be replaced with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds to accommodate nut allergies without losing crunch.

→ What are some protein additions to complement the salad?

Grilled chicken or chickpeas are great protein choices that pair well with the salad’s flavors and textures.

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Hot Girl Winter Salad

Nutritious winter salad with roasted roots, mixed greens, citrus dressing, walnuts, and feta for a fresh glow.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
Overall Time
45 minutes
Recipe by Dune Basil Lea Romano


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Modern American

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Information Meat-Free, No Gluten

What You'll Need

Roasted Vegetables

01 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
02 2 small beets, peeled and diced
03 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
04 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Salad Base

01 4 cups mixed winter greens (kale, arugula, baby spinach)
02 1/2 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
03 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
04 1/3 cup toasted walnuts
05 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit or substitute with vegan feta for dairy-free)

Dressing

01 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
03 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
04 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
05 1 teaspoon maple syrup
06 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Prepare Vegetables for Roasting: Toss carrots, beets, and sweet potato with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 03

Roast Root Vegetables: Roast the vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.

Step 04

Make the Dressing: Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 05

Combine Salad Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mixed winter greens, red cabbage, pomegranate arils, and toasted walnuts.

Step 06

Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled roasted vegetables to the salad base and gently toss with the prepared dressing until evenly coated.

Step 07

Add Cheese and Serve: Top with crumbled feta cheese and serve immediately.

Essential Tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergies, and talk to your doctor if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (walnuts). Omit cheese for dairy-free and substitute walnuts for seeds to avoid nuts.

Nutrition per serving

Nutritional details are for reference only. They're not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Energy: 285
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Proteins: 6 g

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