Winter Salad with Citrus, Pomegranate, Feta, and Candied Pecans Recipe
This vibrant Winter Salad combines fresh mixed spring greens with sweet mandarin orange segments, tangy pomegranate seeds, creamy crumbled feta, and crunchy candied pecans. Tossed in a homemade honey-Dijon apple cider vinegar dressing with minced shallots, this salad offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures for a refreshing and healthy winter meal or side dish.
- 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 (can substitute 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 Salad Ingredients: Place the mixed spring greens, orange segments, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped candied pecans in a large bowl, combining all the salad components for easy tossing.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and minced shallot until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture according to your preference, then gently toss the ingredients to evenly coat everything with the dressing. Be careful to toss lightly to maintain the texture of the delicate greens and citrus segments.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad promptly after dressing to enjoy the crisp freshness and vibrant flavors. Any leftover dressing can be saved for another use.
Notes
- For a different texture and sweetness, substitute dried cranberries for the pomegranate seeds if pomegranate is not available.
- Candied pecans can be made at home by toasting pecans with a small amount of sugar and butter or purchased pre-made.
- This salad is best served fresh; dress just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust sweetness in the dressing by varying honey quantity to your preference.
Keywords: Winter Salad, Mixed Greens, Mandarin Orange Salad, Pomegranate, Feta Cheese, Candied Pecans, Honey Dijon Dressing, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad
