Winter Green and Citrus Salad Recipe
Published: January 6, 2022
Ah, winter. While the days might be cold and gray, there’s something about this time of year that makes fresh, bright ingredients feel like a little ray of sunshine on your plate. This Winter Greens & Citrus Salad is the perfect way to enjoy that burst of citrusy freshness while still embracing the comforting flavors of winter. Think of it as the perfect bridge between the hearty meals of fall and the lighter, brighter tastes of spring.
This salad is all about hearty greens and vibrant citrus, paired with a tahini-ginger dressing that’s creamy, tangy, and just a little sweet. It’s bold, it’s colorful, and it’s everything you need to feel refreshed—whether you're having a cozy night in or serving it at your next dinner gathering. Plus, it's a salad that actually makes you excited to eat your greens.
Why This Winter Greens & Citrus Salad Works
Winter is all about hearty meals, cozy vibes, and warming drinks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a refreshing dish here and there! This Winter Greens & Citrus Salad is exactly what we need to break up the richness of the season’s heavier meals. It’s bright, fresh, and packed with flavor—perfect for bringing a burst of color and nutrients to your plate.
What makes this salad stand out is the combination of tender winter greens (like baby mustard and baby chard) with the sweet, tangy citrus of Cara Cara oranges. The creamy tahini-ginger dressing adds just the right amount of richness, without feeling too heavy. And when paired with a crisp white wine or even a glass of bubbly, this salad becomes a true celebration of the season’s flavors, while still feeling light and refreshing.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Salad
For the tahini-ginger dressing:
- 1 small Fuji apple, peeled, halved, cored, and chopped
- 2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
- 1⁄2 shallot, chopped
- 1 teaspoon pickled ginger
- 1 tablespoon pickled ginger juice
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white or regular soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice oil or other neutral-flavored oil
For the salad:
- 2 Cara Cara oranges
- 1 small watermelon radish
- 10 oz winter lettuce mix
- Maldon sea salt
How to Make the Tahini-Ginger Dressing
1. Prepare the Ingredients: Peel, halve, core, and chop the small Fuji apple. Grate the fresh ginger and chop the shallot.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a blender, combine the chopped apple, grated ginger, shallot, pickled ginger, pickled ginger juice, tahini, lemon juice, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and rice oil.
3. Blend Until Smooth: Process everything in the blender until the dressing is smooth and well combined. You should have about 1 cup of dressing, but you'll only need ½ cup for the salad.
4. Store Leftovers: If you have leftover dressing, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Assembling the Salad
1. Prep the Oranges: Cut a thin slice off the top and bottom of each Cara Cara orange to expose the flesh. Stand each orange upright and, using a sharp knife, cut off the peel, pith, and membrane in wide strips.
2. Cut Orange Segments: After removing the peel, slice along the membrane of the fruit to release the orange segments. Cut each segment in half crosswise. Repeat with the second orange.
3. Shave the Radish: Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, shave the watermelon radish into paper-thin circles. Cut each circle in half to make bite-sized pieces.
4. Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the winter lettuce mix, orange segments, and radish. Drizzle ½ cup of the tahini-ginger dressing over the salad, then season with Maldon sea salt to taste.
5. Serve: Toss everything gently to coat the ingredients evenly in the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Wine Pairing Suggestions
A salad like this, with its bright citrus and creamy tahini dressing, calls for a wine that’s fresh, crisp, and a bit vibrant to complement the flavors without overwhelming them. Here are a few wine pairing ideas to take this dish from good to great:
Chardonnay (Unoaked): An unoaked Chardonnay with crisp acidity and citrusy notes pairs beautifully with the fresh citrus in the salad, while its smooth body complements the creaminess of the tahini dressing.
Sauvignon Blanc: A classic choice! The herbal, citrusy character of Sauvignon Blanc enhances the salad’s greens and works wonders with the ginger and soy sauce in the dressing.
Pinot Grigio: For a lighter, more neutral option, a well-balanced Pinot Grigio will let the flavors of the salad shine, while its refreshing nature will pair nicely with the salad's crispness and slight sweetness from the apple.
Final Thoughts: A Salad that Welcomes Winter
This Winter Greens & Citrus Salad is a perfect way to add a burst of brightness to your winter meals, balancing crisp citrus, earthy greens, and a rich tahini-ginger dressing. Whether it’s served as a light lunch or as a vibrant side dish, it’s a refreshing way to enjoy the seasonal flavors of winter.
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