There’s something so refreshing and cozy about a salad that celebrates winter flavors. This Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe is exactly that—bursting with juicy citrus, creamy avocado, and a cranberry dressing that’s tangy, sweet, and just plain irresistible. It’s a salad you’ll want to make again and again during the colder months.

A large white bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a colorful salad arranged in separated sections. The bottom layer is fresh green leafy lettuce spread evenly inside the bowl. On top, sliced pale yellow avocado with smooth texture is placed next to a pile of dark brown roasted pecans. Bright red pomegranate seeds create a jewel-like cluster beside soft white crumbled cheese. Next to that, light yellow grapefruit slices add a juicy look with a slightly translucent texture. A drizzle of dark brown dressing spreads over the avocado and cheese. Behind the bowl, there is a small clear jar with more dressing and wooden salad bowls stacked behind it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore this Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe because it’s the perfect blend of seasonal ingredients that feel festive but never over the top. It’s bright, fresh, and easy enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for the holidays.

Seasonal Goodness: The oranges and pomegranate seeds bring a fresh pop of winter flavor straight from the fruit bowl.
Balanced Textures: Creamy avocado and crunchy candied nuts create a perfect contrast you’ll love.
Easy Dressing: The cranberry balsamic dressing is quick to make but adds incredible depth and brightness.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily tweak nuts, cheese, or greens to match what you have on hand or your taste preferences.

The image shows a large wooden bowl filled with a fresh salad. The salad has a base layer of mixed green leafy vegetables, including kale and spinach with uneven textures and vibrant green colors. Spread throughout the greens are round, bright red pomegranate seeds and creamy white crumbles of cheese. There are also slices of pale yellow citrus fruit layered on top, along with whole toasted brown pecans adding a crunchy texture. Two large wooden salad spoons rest inside the bowl, partly visible at the top left. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with a slightly blurred background showing another bowl of similar salad and some kitchen items. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This salad is all about harmony between freshness, creaminess, crunch, and tartness. Shopping for quality seasonal oranges and a ripe avocado will really make a difference, so look for fruit that feels heavy and fragrant, and an avocado that gives to gentle pressure.

Flat lay of peeled orange segments arranged neatly next to bright green sliced avocado, a small pile of shiny red pomegranate seeds, fresh vibrant mixed baby greens filling a simple white ceramic bowl, a mound of crumbly white feta cheese, a pile of glossy candied spiced pecans, small white ceramic bowls each containing deep red cranberry sauce, dark balsamic vinegar, and golden olive oil, and a tiny white bowl with coarse salt and cracked black peppercorns, all elements fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Oranges: Use navel or blood oranges for sweetness and juiciness without bitterness.
Avocado: Adds silky richness that softens the acidity of the dressing.
Pomegranate seeds: Their jewel-like burst brightens the salad visually and flavors.
Mixed baby greens: A mild base that lets the toppings shine; mix arugula for peppery bite if you like.
Feta cheese: Crumbled salty feta balances sweetness perfectly.
Candied spiced nuts: Adds a crunchy, sweet, and spicy element—pecans or walnuts work great if you want to make them yourself.
Cranberry balsamic dressing: Tart and sweet, it ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Cranberry sauce: Adds natural sweetness directly into the dressing.
Balsamic vinegar and olive oil: Classic vinaigrette base that mellows the tart fruits.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the ingredients.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to play around with this Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe depending on what’s in season or what I’m craving. The great thing is you can easily swap out some ingredients and still wind up with an amazing salad.

Variation: If you want a vegan version, simply replace feta with tofu feta or omit it altogether, and make sure your cranberry sauce is free from honey.
Seasonal swap: When oranges aren’t at their best, try using grapefruit segments or persimmons for a similar citrusy-sweet effect.
Spice it up: Adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or freshly ground black pepper on top wakes up the flavors nicely.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Ingredients

Start by peeling the oranges carefully, making sure to remove all the white pith, then separate them into segments. Next, slice the avocado just before serving to avoid browning. Remove pomegranate seeds by gently breaking open the fruit and releasing the arils—this always feels like a little kitchen magic to me! Place your mixed greens in a large salad bowl or into individual serving plates.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

Top your greens with the orange segments, avocado slices, and pomegranate seeds. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over everything, followed by a generous handful of the candied spiced nuts to add that much-loved crunch and subtle spice.

Step 3: Mix the Cranberry Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and glossy. Adjust seasoning to your taste—sometimes I add a touch more vinegar for extra tang, but the sweetness of the cranberry sauce usually balances it just right.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

Drizzle the cranberry balsamic dressing over the salad just before serving. You can toss it gently if you like every bite to be coated, or leave it as a beautiful layered presentation where each mouthful lets you enjoy different textures. Trust me, both ways work wonderfully.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that little details make a world of difference in a salad like this. Using fresh ingredients at their peak and dressing it just before serving keeps everything vibrant and fresh.

Freshness first: Prep your fruits just before assembling to avoid sogginess or browning, especially avocado and pomegranate seeds.
Balance your dressing: Taste as you whisk your dressing. Cranberry sauce sweetness varies by brand, so adjust vinegar and salt accordingly.
Crunch matters: Don’t skip the candied nuts—they’re the unexpected star that elevates this salad.
Serving timing: Dress the salad right before eating to keep the greens crisp and fresh.

How to Serve Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe

Garnishes

I usually add a sprinkle of extra pomegranate seeds for that jewel-like sparkle and a few fresh mint leaves when I want a bright, herbaceous note. Sometimes, a light dusting of cracked black pepper on top adds just the right kick.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roast chicken or turkey, making it a great holiday side. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside warm crusty bread or a creamy soup for a cozy winter meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve served this salad in pretty glass bowls or on festive platters, layering the components artfully without tossing, and letting guests mix as they like. It makes a great centerpiece and conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, but I always keep the dressing separate until ready to eat. Greens can get limp quickly when dressed, so this helps maintain that fresh crunch even the next day.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh greens and fruit, so I don’t recommend freezing. However, you can freeze the cranberry dressing separately for up to 2 months and thaw it in the fridge.

Reheating

Since this is a cold salad, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to warm a side that accompanies it, keep the salad chilled until ready to serve—nothing beats that refreshing winter bite!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the fruit and nuts a few hours ahead, but I recommend waiting to dress the greens until just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.

What can I substitute for candied spiced nuts?

If you don’t have candied spiced nuts on hand, toasted pecans or walnuts work wonderfully. For extra flavor, lightly toss them with a bit of maple syrup and your favorite spices, then toast them in the oven.

Is this salad vegan-friendly?

To make this salad vegan, simply omit the feta or swap it with a plant-based alternative and ensure your cranberry sauce doesn’t contain honey or other animal products. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan.

Can I use bottled cranberry sauce for the dressing?

Yes, bottled cranberry sauce works fine and can save time, but homemade cranberry sauce often has a fresher flavor with less added sugar, which can help balance the dressing better.

Final Thoughts

This Winter Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes during the colder months because it captures the season’s best flavors without fuss or fancy techniques. I hope you find it as delightful and easy to love as I do. Give it a try next time you want something fresh, festive, and truly satisfying—you won’t regret it!