As the temperature rises above freezing after a cold snap, it's time to shake off the winter blues and embrace fresh, vibrant recipes. While cozy soups have their place, it's refreshing to incorporate lighter dishes into our meals. Enter my delightful winter chopped salad.
This type of salad is incredibly versatile. It allows you to showcase seasonal ingredients while being simple to prepare. No complicated techniques are needed—just chop and combine for a satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients for Your Winter Chopped Salad
Think of these ingredients as a foundation—feel free to adapt based on what you have or prefer.
Radicchio. I favor heartier greens during winter, as they provide a nice texture and a peppery flavor. Alternatives include chopped endives, cabbage, or kale.
White beans. Cannellini beans are my go-to for their creamy consistency, but garbanzo beans work well too.
Sweet potatoes. Simply roasted with salt and pepper, orange sweet potatoes' sweetness balances the bitterness of radicchio beautifully.
Pickled onions. I always keep these on hand; they add a tangy sweetness that brightens the salad.
Parmesan. Shaved Parmesan provides a savory kick, but goat cheese or feta can be great alternatives.
Fresh chopped herbs. No salad feels complete without herbs. I love using dill, chives, and sometimes a bit of cilantro.
Lemon vinaigrette. I rely on a trusted vinaigrette recipe, adding extra lemon juice for a zesty finish.
How to Prepare and Store Your Chopped Salad
To keep salad prep manageable throughout the week, I prefer minimal chopping. For this salad, I mix all ingredients except radicchio in a container and chop the radicchio fresh as needed. This way, everything is ready to enjoy!
Ways to Customize Your Salad (and More Recipes)
There are countless ways to tweak this salad to suit your tastes:
Make it heartier with grains. Adding farro or quinoa can transform this salad into a full meal. I also enjoy incorporating different lentils or beans, and crunchy sourdough croutons add great texture.
Add more protein. Cubed chicken, boiled eggs, or extra cheese can up the protein content.
Include extra veggies. Chopped marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, avocado, or diced celery and cucumbers all enhance the flavor profile of the salad.
More Chopped Salad Ideas
Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Shallot Dressing
Malibu Farm Rainbow Chopped Salad
Buffalo Cauliflower Chopped Salad
Feta Salad with White Beans and Lemon
Keep scrolling for the recipe, and let us know if you give it a try!
Description
A quick and easy chopped salad loaded with delicious winter produce.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large radicchio, chopped
- 3/4 cup cannellini beans
- 1/4 cup pickled onions
- 1/4 cup shaved parmesan
- Fresh herbs of choice: dill, chives, etc.
- 1 serving lemon vinaigrette
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and roast the sweet potato. Cut into large cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until tender and golden. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients in a serving bowl, drizzle with dressing, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
