Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, the Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe is the kind of dish that immediately lifts your spirits on a chilly day. The vibrant colors and zesty dressing make it feel like a celebration in every bite — trust me, it’s a salad you’ll want to revisit all season long.

A wooden bowl sits filled with a salad layered on a base of mixed green leaves. On top, there are sections of bright red pomegranate seeds, toasted brown pecans, sliced light green avocado with brown dressing drizzled over, crumbled white cheese, and pale orange citrus slices. The bowl is on a white marbled surface with a red cloth underneath. Behind the bowl are stacked wooden bowls with silver utensils and a small glass jar of brown dressing with a spoon inside. 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 Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve tried a lot of winter salads, but this one stands out because it balances sweet, savory, and tangy in a way that's downright addictive. It feels fancy but is incredibly easy to pull together—even on busy weeknights.

Seasonal Freshness: Uses winter citrus and pomegranate, giving you the best flavors winter has to offer.
Flavor Explosion: The cranberry dressing is sweet, tart, and a perfect match for the salty feta and creamy avocado.
Textural Delight: Candied nuts add crunch while the baby greens keep it light and refreshing.
Versatile & Easy: You can dress it lightly or make it a hearty side for your holiday spread or weeknight dinner.

A large wooden bowl holds a fresh salad with a base layer of mixed green leaves including spinach and arugula, covered with scattered bright red pomegranate seeds and crunchy pecans. Light green avocado chunks and pale orange citrus segments are mixed throughout, adding color contrast and texture. Small white crumbled cheese pieces are sprinkled on top, creating a fresh, vibrant look. Two wooden salad spoons rest diagonally on the bowl’s edge against a softly blurred background, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This salad is a wonderful harmony of tastes and textures, brought together with ingredients that are easy to find in the winter months. Each component shines on its own but the magic happens when you combine them all.

Flat lay of mixed baby greens loosely piled in a simple white ceramic bowl, two peeled orange segments arranged neatly on a white plate, one ripe avocado sliced and fanned out on a white dish, bright red pomegranate seeds scattered in a small white bowl, a small mound of crumbled feta cheese on a white plate, a heap of candied spiced pecans resting in a white bowl, three small white bowls each holding cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, and a small pinch of coarse salt and cracked black pepper on a white plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, balanced symmetrical layout, 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

Mixed Baby Greens: Choose tender, fresh greens for a delicate base that lets the vibrant toppings pop.
Oranges: Seedy and juicy, their bright citrus flavor brings zing and juiciness to every bite.
Avocado: Creamy and mild, it balances the acidity of the dressing beautifully.
Pomegranate Seeds: These little jewels add pops of sweetness and a lovely crunchy texture.
Feta Cheese: Salty and crumbly, providing contrast and a rich bite that pairs perfectly with the fruitiness.
Candied Spiced Nuts: Adds crunch and a hint of sweet spice — pecans work well if you want a shortcut.
Cranberry Balsamic Dressing (or vinaigrette): The star of the show, blending tangy balsamic, tart cranberry sauce, and smooth olive oil for a luscious finish.
Cranberry Sauce: Adds fruity sweetness that complements the bitter greens and sharp feta.
Balsamic Vinegar: Delivers acidity to balance the creaminess and sweetness.
Olive Oil: Use a good-quality extra virgin for richness and a silky texture.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, always essential to bring all the flavors out.

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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

One of the things I love about the Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste. Feel free to add or swap ingredients based on what you have or what you like—it’s all about making this salad your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap out the oranges for blood oranges or grapefruit for a slight twist in flavor and added color, and it turns out just as delicious.
Dietary Mods: For a nut-free option, just use toasted pumpkin seeds instead of the candied nuts.
Extra Protein: Grilled chicken or chickpeas bulk it up if you want a more filling meal.
Dressing Twist: If you like it less sweet, cut back on the cranberry sauce and add a splash more balsamic.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Produce with Care

Start by rinsing and drying your baby greens thoroughly—wet greens can make the salad soggy. Then, peel the oranges and carefully segment them, removing all the white pith so each bite is sweet and juicy without bitterness. Slice or chop the avocado just before assembling to keep it from browning.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base

Place the mixed greens in a large bowl or divide them between plates. Arrange the orange segments, avocado, and pomegranate seeds on top with care so the colors really shine through. Don’t toss just yet — we want to keep the beautiful presentation intact before dressing.

Step 3: Dress and Toss

In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Drizzle the dressing evenly over your salad. If you’re serving immediately, gently toss all components together to coat everything in that lovely dressing. Otherwise, serve the dressing on the side to keep the salad crisp.

Step 4: Add Feta and Nuts Last

Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied spiced nuts on top right before serving, so you get that satisfying salty crunch with every bite. This also helps keep the nuts from getting soggy.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that a salad’s success often hinges on the quality and timing of each component. Here are some things I keep in mind to get this salad just right every time.

Fresh Citrus Prep: Take your time segmenting the oranges to avoid extra bitterness from the pith—it makes a huge flavor difference.
Dressing Balance: Start with less dressing and add more gradually; you can always add but you can't take it away once the salad’s dressed.
Nutty Crunch: Use freshly candied nuts or lightly toast raw nuts with a bit of cinnamon and sugar for that perfect spicy-sweet crunch.
Keep It Crisp: Dress the salad right before serving to prevent soggy greens or nuts.

How to Serve Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe

winter citrus salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love garnishing this salad with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary during the holidays to add an herbal note that complements the sweet and tart flavors. A few extra pomegranate seeds scattered on top also add jewel-like sparkle that makes it look irresistible on the table.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, grilled chicken, or even hearty roasted root vegetables. If you’re serving a vegetarian meal, a warm grain bowl or lentil stew alongside the salad completes the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this salad in beautiful glass bowls so the layers and colors are visible from the side—it's almost too pretty to eat! You can also portion it in small individual cups or mason jars for a fun appetizer presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, I store the salad separate from the dressing and nuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to eat, toss everything together fresh so the greens stay crisp and the nuts crunchy.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the citrus and greens lose their texture. I recommend enjoying it fresh or storing leftovers for just a day or two instead.

Reheating

Since this is best enjoyed fresh and chilled, I don’t reheat this salad. If you added any grilled protein, warm that separately and serve it alongside the salad.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! You can easily swap out the feta cheese for a plant-based alternative or omit it altogether. Also, choose a vegan dressing or make your own cranberry vinaigrette without honey or dairy ingredients.

How long does the salad stay fresh after dressing it?

The salad tastes best when eaten immediately after dressing. If you need to store it, keep the dressing separate and only toss just before serving to keep the greens from wilting and the nuts crunchy.

What can I use instead of candied spiced nuts?

To keep that sweet and crunchy element, you can use toasted pecans or walnuts seasoned lightly with cinnamon and sugar. Alternatively, roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds are great nut-free options.

Can I prepare parts of the Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the citrus segments, chop the avocado (stored briefly with lemon juice to prevent browning), and even make the dressing a day ahead. Just combine everything right before serving for the best taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

The Winter Citrus Salad with Cranberry Dressing Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen during the colder months—it’s a refreshing, colorful reminder that bright flavors don’t have to be saved for summer. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. Go ahead and try this salad soon; it’s a fresh twist that will brighten your mealtime and bring a little festive cheer to your table.