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

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.

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