Winter Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing is light and refreshing with an assortment of winter greens, crunchy veggies and seasonal fruit. It's topped with a sweet and tangy dressing made with clementines and honey, and makes the perfect side salad for cold winter evenings!
This post was originally published in January 2018. It has been updated with new photos and text, including helpful tips for readers. The recipe has also been adjusted to use more seasonally appropriate ingredients.
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It's the second week of January and the short days, cold wind and continuous snow are already getting to me. I mean, I love the occasional cold evening where I can curl up by the fire in a cozy blanket and sip on a hot cup of tea, but can we just have a little more daylight and sunshine?
In the absence of sun, this winter citrus salad has been my little ray of sunshine. Once citrus season hits, this simple salad is a staple in our house, and the orange honey dressing goes on just about every salad.
Why you'll love this salad
- It's super simple to make. Just blend up the dressing, assemble the ingredients and toss.
- You need just a handful of ingredients for both the salad and dressing.
- It's totally customizable. Use the winter fruit and veggies you have on hand.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- Spinach
- Red cabbage
- Carrot
- Clementines
- Blood orange
- Kiwi fruit
- Goat cheese
For the dressing:
- Clementines
- Honey
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parsley
How to make this winter fruit and veggie salad
- First, make your dressing. Just add all of the ingredients, except for the parsley, to your blender and blend on high until well combined. Pour into a jar or glass dish, stir in the parsley, and cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Next, add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Drizzle on the desired amount of dressing and toss to combine. Serve immediately
Frequently asked questions
Since the dressing contains puréed clementines, it should be stored in the refrigerator. The dressing will solidify a little, so just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake or stir it before using.
If stored properly, this dressing should last for 2-3 days.
As mentioned, the dressing can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also prepare your fruits and veggies in advance and store in the refrigerator. However, to avoid a wilted salad, you should wait to combine the ingredients and toss with the goat cheese and dressing until just before serving.
Recipe tips
- If you don't have spinach, kale is another hearty winter green that works well in this salad.
- I added kiwi fruit, but you can use other winter fruit such as persimmons or pomegranate arils.
- You can change up the citrus element by using grapefruit or other varieties of oranges such as cara cara.
- While I used clementines in the dressing, you can also use oranges or tangerines. Just make sure whatever you use is seedless.
- To make it a more filling salad, add some chicken or sprinkle on some nuts such as walnuts, almonds or pistachios.
- When making the dressing, be sure to add the parsley after the dressing is blended. If you blend it in, your dressing will be tinted green.
- To make this salad dairy-free, just leave out the goat cheese.
Other citrusy salads you might enjoy
- Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese is tart and refreshing with mixed greens, herbs and creamy goat cheese, all topped with a citrus cilantro dressing.
- Citrus Crunch Salad is a healthier version of coleslaw with crunchy veggies and walnuts, crumbled blue cheese and a tangy citrus vinaigrette.
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Winter Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 clementines, peeled and separated into pieces (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
For the salad:
- 6 cups baby spinach, packed
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 2 clementines, peeled and separated into pieces
- 2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
- 1 blood orange, sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender, except the parsley, and blend on high until well combined. The dressing will be pulpy. Stir in the parsley. Pour into a dish or jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients, drizzle on the desired amount of dressing and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The dressing makes about one cup, so you may have some leftover. Just store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2-3 days. The dressing will solidify a little, so just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake or stir before using.
- The salad ingredients are customizable, so feel free to use other winter greens, veggies and fruit that you have on hand.
- While I used clementines in the dressing, you can also use oranges or tangerines. Just make sure whatever you use is seedless.
- When making the dressing, be sure to stir in the parsley after the dressing is blended. If you add it to the blender, your dressing will be tinted green.
Want to save this recipe for later?
Enter your email address and I'll send it straight to your inbox. You'll also receive new recipes from me regularly!
Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Christie says
I love this winter salad idea Leanne! It looks so refreshing!
Leanne says
Thanks Christie!
Cindy says
This looks delicious! We are always hunting for new recipes! Adding this to the menu plan this week! I cannot wait for my family to try it! YUM!
Leanne says
Thanks Cindy! I hope you and your family like it!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
What a gorgeous winter salad Leanne. Full of all my favorite ingredients. Adding to my list!
Leanne says
Thank you Mary Ann!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Love that we eat with our eyes first, especially when beautiful food like this is served up! Stunning!! And delicious!
Leanne says
Appreciate it Annie! Happy weekend!
Ramona says
Such a beautiful, vibrant and refreshing salad. I love fruit and vegetable mixed salads and I have to try this - the dressing sounds divine too.
Leanne says
Thanks Ramona!
Danielle says
What I LOVE about this salad is how much color it has. It certainly bring a lot to this season, and is a wonderful salad to make!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Danielle!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I'm eating a ton of greens right now and citrus!! This salad is beautiful, Leanne! The dressing sounds amazing, too!! My favorite part is the kiwi. Here's to some fresh, delicious eats and *fingers crossed* more sunshine and warmer days for us!
Leanne says
Thanks Katherine! I like the kiwi in there too!
Amber says
The blood oranges are so beautiful in this salad and the citrus honey dressing is phenomenal! Wonderful recipe.
Leanne says
Thanks Amber!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Thank heaven for citrus to brighten up our dreary Winter days! This is such a fabulous salad. Love all the flavours and textures and the perfect honey-orange dressing 🙂
Leanne says
It's the only sunshine we have lately with all our stormy weather! Thanks Jennifer!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
This is a beautiful salad! I love the sound of the dressing--I never would have thought to make dressing with clementines. This is a must-try!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Kelsie!
Gabby says
This looks delicious. I love a big salad once in a while in the winter to lift my spirits. I've made dressings with fresh orange juice and lemon juice, but never tried with clementines! What a great idea! and I love the addition of parsley, such an important and healthy herb that we need to use more often. Love it!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Gabby! I love the parsley in this dressing. It pairs well with the citrus. I'll probably be eating this salad year round! Have a great week!