Winter Salad

My family loves to try different variations of this recipe. If you don’t have pomegranate arils, try using dry cranberries or use feta cheese instead of parmesan. Winter salad is my favorite wholesome lunch or side for cozy days, and it goes great with hot soup and crusty bread!

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Butternut Squash Winter Salad

First assemble the following ingredients:

• Butternut squash (2 cups, peeled and cubed) – Roasted butternut squash brings a sweet, caramelized richness that balances the hearty greens.
• Red onion (½ medium) – Thinly sliced red onion adds a touch of sharpness and color contrast that brightens the salad.
• Curly kale (6 leaves) – Curly kale provides a sturdy, earthy base with a pleasant chew and vibrant green flavor.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing – A tangy-sweet balsamic vinaigrette ties the salad together with warmth and depth.
• Radicchio (½ small, thinly sliced) – Radicchio adds a slightly bitter, peppery edge that complements the sweetness of the squash.
• Brussels sprouts (6, thinly sliced) – Shaved Brussels sprouts bring a crisp, nutty crunch and seasonal heartiness.
• Candied nuts (¾ cup) – Candied pecans lend sweetness and crunch that enhance the salad’s festive winter character.
• Pomegranate arils (1/3 cup) – Pomegranate arils or cranberries add juicy bursts of tartness and jewel-toned color.
• Shaved Parmesan (1/3 cup) – Shaved Parmesan provides salty, nutty richness that balances the sweet and bitter notes.
• Fresh Ground Salt and Pepper – A sprinkle of salt and pepper sharpens every flavor and brings the salad into perfect balance.

Prep

Assemble all the ingredients. Peel and cube the butternut squash and quarter the red onion.

Roast Squash and Onion

Place the squash and red onion on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat, sprinkle salt and pepper on it and bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes (shift them on the pan halfway through). Let cool slightly.

Assemble

Rub the kale with some of the dressing to soften kale edges. Top with the roasted veggies and the remaining ingredients and toss in dressing. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Kale, Onion, and Squash Salad

Use a mix of kale types — Combining curly kale and lacinato (dinosaur) kale adds visual and textural contrast.

Remove tough stems — Strip leaves from the fibrous stems before chopping; this keeps the salad tender and pleasant to eat.

Let it sit — Kale holds up well, so you can dress the salad 15–30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Cool before mixing — Slightly cooled squash keeps the kale from wilting too much and maintains a better salad structure.

Use red or shallots for mildness — They bring sweetness without overpowering the salad.

Quick-pickle for brightness — Soak thin slices in vinegar, honey, and salt for 10 minutes to add tang and color contrast.

Mix up the Cheese – Crumbled goat cheese or feta are great alternative options if you don’t want to use parmesan.

Roasted Winter Salad FAQs

Red onions or shallots work best; they add sweetness and color without overpowering the other flavors.

A maple-Dijon vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette works perfectly—the sweetness complements the roasted squash while the acidity brightens the hearty greens.

Yes! This salad holds up well. Dress it up to 30 minutes before serving, or keep ingredients separate and combine just before eating for maximum freshness.

Absolutely—add a protein like roasted chicken, salmon, or chickpeas to make it a hearty and complete winter meal.

Butternut, acorn, or delicata squash are all excellent—each roasts beautifully and develops a caramelized, sweet flavor that balances the earthy kale.

More Salad Recipes

This salad goes really well with some of my favorite soups like Turkey Butternut Squash Soup or Traditional Butternut Squash Soup. Make it a meal by making my favorite easy focaccia bread!

The Best Chopped Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Cilantro Lime Black Bean Pasta Salad

Fig and Honey Fruit Salad with Chèvre and Pine Nuts

Jerusalem Salad Recipe

Share on Facebook

Pin this now to find it later