18 Warm Winter Salads to Toss Together for Lunch This Week

Heather Sage
Dec 08, 2014

When the temps plummet, we still crave salads. And for a lot of us, uncovering our barbecues to get a little grilled salad action going is almost always out of the question. These 18 warm salads are just the ticket. Enjoy this collection of cool-weather salads perfect for a starter, side or main course. As an added bonus, each packs a nutrient punch to give you an edge all holiday and cold season long.

1. Warm Cranberry-Honey Dressing and Winter Salad: Your favorite mix of greens dresses up ever so nicely with a drizzle of warm, sweet-sour dressing and a beautiful selection of produce. (via Boulder Locavore)

2. Warm Buckwheat Salad With Roasted Kabocha: You’ll fall hard for this nutritional powerhouse. Featuring nutty buckwheat, kabocha squash and beans, it is a healthy meal that will surely satisfy. (via Petit World Citizen)

3. Warm Roasted Sweet Potato Salad: Featuring pecans, cranberries, blue cheese, bacon and a warm herb vinaigrette, this isn’t your usual summer potato salad. (via The Cozy Apron)

4. Warm Sauteed Spinach With Feijoa in a Balsamic Beurre Blanc: Serve this up as an unexpected alternative to creamed spinach at your next holiday feast. The mouthwatering combo of buttery and sweet is sure to wow your guests. (via Inspired Edibles)

5. Warm Winter Lentil Salad: Make this salad an even heartier meal by topping it with a nice piece of salmon or a poached egg. (via Brazilian Flair in the USA)

6. Warm Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Quinoa Salad (Vegan): You’ll love the trifecta of flavors and textures in this salad. Between the creamy tahini dressing and smokey bacon, it’s hard to believe there’s no dairy or meat to be found. (via Keepin’ It Kind)

7. Warm Cauliflower Salad With Radishes and Olives: Brace your taste buds for a unique experience. Peppery radish, mellow cauliflower and briny olives make up this warm salad that you won’t soon forget. (via Mango Tomato)

8. Warm Israeli Couscous Salad With Roasted Vegetables: Guess what? This salad is a great do-ahead side for your next potluck or holiday dinner. Simply reheat and serve. (via The Wanderlust Kitchen)

9. Cozy Fall Power Bowl: Add this fall-themed rice bowl to your rotation — the tomato jam alone will make you glad you did. (via Blissful Basil)

10. Warm French Potato Salad With Tempeh: Take potato salad from summer potlucks to cold-weather celebrations with this warm, protein-packed rendition. (via Peaceful Dumpling)

11. Warm Salad With Kale, Brussels Sprouts and Spaghetti Squash: As much a treat for your eyes as it is for your mouth, this salad features a host of bright colors and winter flavors. (via Lazy Sunday Cooking)

12. Beluga Lentils With Greek Yogurt and Pomegranate: Ruby pomegranate arils stand out against a backdrop of black and white to create one sexy salad. (via Foodmonger)

13. Warm Fig Salad: Edamame, mushrooms, hazelnuts and blue cheese mingle together beautifully with figs in this protein-rich salad. Prepare yourself for an umami overload. (via Army Wife to Suburban Life)

14. Kale and Mushroom Salad With Sweet Potato Fries: Get your cruciferous veggie fix with this vibrant kale salad. The side of crispy, baked fries transform it into a meal that feels like much more of an indulgence than it actually is. (via Eva Kristina Kupper)

15. Warm Salmon Salad with Dill and Caper Mayonnaise: They’re hard to spot, but chunks of creamy avocado add an extra touch of luxury to this already fancy salad. (via Fish Fingers for Tea)

16. Warm Kale-Quinoa Salad With Roasted Balsamic Beets: Whole roasted baby beets will elicit oohs and ahhs from everyone around the dinner table. Ideal served alongside a lovely roast, this salad combines veggies and starch into one gorgeous side. (via The First Mess)

17. Russian Carrot and Parsnip Salad: Go back to your roots with this sweet, spicy side featuring both carrots and parsnips. (via The Cook Who Knew Nothing)

18. Warm Pear Stuffed with Blue Cheese, Baby Spinach and Walnut Salad: A bed of baby spinach is the best base for a baked pear stuffed with blue cheese, chopped walnuts and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette to rest upon. Talk about an elegant first course. (via My Cape Cod Kitchen)

What tricks do you have up your sleeve for making salads winter-ready? Let us know below!

This Bougie Whole Foods Hot Chocolate Is Only $2 A Cup: "Such A Treat"

I'd consider myself a hot chocolate connoisseur. I've sipped rich and decadent drinks at Colonial Williamsburg, whipped up a homemade recipe for Christmas parties, and sampled my fair share of instant hot cocoa packets. So I was shocked when the Whole Foods Hot Chocolate ended up being one of my favorite cocoa options of all time — for only $2 a cup! The hot chocolate offers a smoother, richer taste than other instant cocoas I've tried, and it really offers a bang for your buck.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the delicious Whole Foods Hot Chocolate.

The delicious Whole Foods hot chocolate is only $2 a cup.

Whole Foods

The Whole Foods hot chocolate (officially named Organic Milk Chocolate Flavor Mix Hot Cocoa Mix. Fancy!) is from the 365 by Whole Foods Market brand, and features 10 packets in a single box. Not only does that mean it's $2 a cup, but it's also easier than ever to whip up a late night beverage. My favorite thing ever is curling up with hot cocoa and a book or TV show in bed!

Instead of a pot or saucepan, all you need is a mug and a microwave. Just heat up your water or milk and mix a packet in! I'm pretty bougie when it comes to hot chocolate, and use equal parts water and soy milk, then add a splash of eggnog. Trust me, it makes the cocoa even richer and more flavorful than it was before.

The hot cocoa packets include organic cane sugar, organic nonfat dry milk, organic cocoa powder, and some sea salt among other ingredients.

Amazon

You can enter your zip code to find the Whole Foods hot chocolate near you, but you can also order it on Amazon for a quick delivery. And if you're not a fan of the packets, opt for a 12 oz container instead!

One Amazon reviewer says this product is "such a treat," and that it "dissolves without any issue," which is a huge challenge when talking about instant cocoa. "You can control how much of the flavor you want which we like since you just scoop it into your cup from the container," they continue. "Good size for the price. Container seems to last a while too."

"I'm a REALLY PICKY hot chocolate lover," another Amazon review says. "This is good stuff. It blends perfectly and tastes rich. I blend it 50/50 with 365 coffee and a hot cup of milk. Some reviews say it's expensive compared to Swiss Miss. I just checked and this is $6.79 for 12 servings - Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa's cheapest prices is $7.33 for 8 servings. This is a good buy."

"I like it because I can adjust the amount that I use, for myself I use less than is suggested because it is so rich and chocolatey," a third review says. "Price is on point. And product is consistent."

And if you mix it into your morning cup of coffee? Well, that's a mocha for way cheaper than you can find at Starbucks ;).

Check out the $4 Trader Joe’s Holiday Cookies With An Insane Cult Following so you have something to dip in your Whole Foods Hot Chocolate!

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6 Home Decor Trends That Will Be Huge In 2025 (Thanks To Studio McGee)

Studio McGee has spent the last decade inspiring us with a blend of accessible and elevated designs, creating beautiful and totally livable spaces. In her 2025 Home Decor Trends report, Shea McGee emphasizes that home decor trends evolve gradually over time, and I couldn’t agree more. Unlike the fast-paced world of fashion, where trends shift every season, these design moves develop organically over time, and that's good for your wallet and taking your time to create a space you love. Get inspired to refresh your home in 2025 with a few new accents, from embellishments like fringe to maybe a little western or seaside art.

Here are Studio McGee's 2025 Home Decor Trend Predictions, with a few surprises!

Photo: Shade Degges | Design: Studio Mountain

Romantic Silhouettes

Take Romantic Silhouettes, for example. This is a trend we've seen steadily gain traction over the past few years. Think curvy furniture, delicate floral prints, and soft blush hues — when curated thoughtfully, these elements can become timeless staples in your home.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Watch Shea's take on designing your home for 2025!

Photo: Michael P.H. Clifford | Design: A1000XBetter

Western Cowboy

This is a design trend that totally surprised me, but I'm so happy to see it in the mix. Elements like leather furniture, rustic accessories, equestrian art, even wood walls, shown in this office designed by A1000XBetter, are making an impact in 2025 and beyond. But Shea notes that you can take this trend literally or just be inspired by the look. You can also mix it with other styles to personalize it for you. Add romantic pillows or ruffled tablecloths like McGee & Co. x Loeffler Randall Gardenia Ruffle Border Tablecloth – things you love that make it yours vs. based solely on one trend.

Gavin Carter| Design: House of Rolison

Saturated Colors

Shea predicts that rich hues like deep browns, oxblood red, and earthy greens will continue to dominate home decor colors going into 2025. House of Rolison's bathroom brown is an excellent example of this beautiful trend.

courtesy of Stewart-Schafer

Pattern Drenching

Embracing a single pattern and drenching an entire room in it — from walls to pillows, headboards, and curtains — is a surprise trend for 2025. This maximalist approach, which has been quietly gaining traction, draws inspiration from Arts and Crafts designers like William Morris and has been in and out of vogue since the Victorian era.

McGee & Co.

Embellishments

This is a trend you can easily DIY to add an extra layer of charm to your decor. Think playful details like fringe accents —beautifully shown in McGee & Co.'s Philippa Settee — along with tassels, pleats, ruffles, and rope. It’s all about embracing texture and whimsy, so have fun with it!

McGee & Co.

Seaside Inspiration

Coastal decor has long been an influence in design and you can be inspired by it in many forms, from shell accents to beach-inspired artwork like McGee & Co.'s Distant Coastline art to textured seagrass baskets and jute rugs. Even the soothing hues of the sea — think soft blues, sandy neutrals, and gentle greens — can inspire your 2025 spaces.

Check out the full list of Studio McGee 2025 Design Trends!

Check out our online newsletter for more 2025 home decor inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

home decor trends2025 home decor trendsstudio mcgeemcgee & coshea mcgeehome decor inspirationhome decor

Trader Joe’s Shoppers Are Going Nuts For This $4 “Girl Dinner” Find

Girl dinner lovers, it's time to listen up. Trader Joe’s just dropped a delicious $4 item that’s worthy of upgrading all your snacky meals, and shoppers are literally drooling over it – myself included.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s brand-new Caesar Salad Dip features everything you love about Caesar salad, but, of course, in dip form: Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayonnaise, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, and finely shredded Romaine lettuce are included in the mix. Cravings hitting yet? Mine surely are!

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Tj’s fan account @trader_joes_treasure_hunt recently shared the Caesar Salad Dip with their followers, and they immediately swarmed to the comment section to sound off about its sheer greatness.

“Yessss please!!!” someone commented. “Cannot wait!👏”

"I just bought and tried👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 ," one commenter wrote. "10/10 perfect dip for veggies or even in a wrap! tzatziki consistency with the PERFECT caesar flavor.😩"

“Sheeeeesh,” another exclaimed. “It’s like they made this for me.”

“This with a fry and Diet Coke??” one more person said. “THE girl dinner. 👏🏻”

Trader Joe's

This “satisfyingly savory, captivatingly creamy, and remarkably rich” Trader Joe’s dip is the perfect pairing for chicken nuggets, lunch wraps, grinder sandwiches, crackers, and everything in between. Trader Joe's even noted that it's a "game-changer" for game days and cocktail parties. Time to dip in!

Aside from your personal girl dinner needs, the Caesar Salad Dip is the ideal creamy snack to share during the holiday season – include it in your next charcuterie spread!

The Trader Joe’s Caesar Salad Dip goes for just $3.69 at your local TJ's grocery store. You can find it amongst my other dippable faves like their Truffle Dip and Buffalo Chicken Dip! If you're a Caesar fanatic, you've absolutely got to give it a try before it sells out.

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Surprise! The 2025 Dunkin' Menu Just Dropped With 5 New Drinks

Dunkin’s winter menu for 2025 is lookin’ pretty sweet. Seriously – 3 out of 5 new drinks on the menu are inspired by cake. Since there’s little I love more than a good, decadent dessert (other than coffee, of course), I’m especially excited about this new lineup!

The Dunkin’ winter menu also has one sweet snack and an iced espresso drink that are both hauntingly similar to what Starbucks has to offer. Is the competition heating up, or is it just me?

The Dunkin’ winter menu dropped on December 31, just ahead of the new year. Dunkin's holiday menu dropped on November 1.

Let’s officially get into it. Here’s everything on the Dunkin’ menu this December to start 2025 off just right!

Drinks On The Dunkin' Winter Menu

@snackolator

NEW! Lava Cake Signature Latte

Lava Cake Swirl flavoring, whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and hot chocolate powder. Now that's a mouthful! That's exactly how this new drink is built – with tons and tons of chocolate. If you've got a strong sweet tooth, this one's for you.

@snackolator

NEW! Lava Cake Coffee

Dunkin' is also featuring the new Lava Cake Swirl flavoring in this creamy coffee. It'll be available to order hot or iced!

@snackolator

Brown Sugar Shakin' Espresso

Um, Starbucks dupe, anyone?! Dunkin's version of the famed Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso looks like it follows a very similar recipe to the Starbies way: espresso (shaken until frothy), brown sugar syrup, and oat milk. I can't wait to try this one and see how it measures up to my routine Starbucks order. It even got a co-sign from Sabrina Carpenter.

Dunkin'

Brown Sugar Oat Iced Matcha Latte

Dunkin' will offer two new in-app exclusive drinks this season, the first being the Brown Sugar Oat Iced Matcha Latte. It's like your average iced matcha latte, amped up with some brown sugar syrup and oat milk. Yum.

@snackolator

Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee

The second in-app exclusive drink on theDunkin' winter menu is the Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee, which features a dose of Lava Cake Swirl alongside a raspberry flavor shot and cream. You'll be able to order this one hot or iced.

Food On The Dunkin' Winter Menu

@snackolator

NEW! Whoopie Pie Specialty Donut

Now, onto the good stuff. The Whoopie Pie Specialty Donut features a halved glazed chocolate cake donut that's filled with vanilla whipped buttercreme icing and topped with a cute lil' buttercreme rosette.

Dunkin'

Iced Lemon Loaf Cake

Okay, yet another Starbucks similarity! This zesty-sweet snack returns on December 31. Dunkin's Iced Lemon Loaf Cake is moist as can be, and is topped with a thick layer of lemon icing.

More Dunkin' Menu Items To Come In 2025

Dunkin'

Dunkin' Valentine's Donuts

Speculation around the Dunkin' winter menu for 2025 also dropped some hints about the chain's Valentine's Day offerings.

According to the buzz, the Brownie Batter (pictured above) and Cupid's Choice donuts will return on January 29. What's even more exciting is that a new iteration of Dunkin's Munchkins will be available, too!

The new Valentine's Munchkins will reportedly be made from glazed chocolate donut holes coated in Valentine's-esque sprinkles. I'm craving them already!

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This post has been updated.

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14 Shots You’ll Actually Want To Take This New Year’s Eve

If there’s any holiday where you’re encouraged to take shots, it’s New Year’s Eve. But, that doesn’t mean you should limit your NYE party beverages to champagne. These sparkly, glittery and all-around enticing shots are sure to please and won’t induce any bad-idea hangovers from too manytequila drinks. You can let your resolution ideas start when the calendar reads 2025. Meanwhile, cheers to enjoying these shots you’ll actually want to make (and take) this New Year’s Eve.

The 14 Best New Year's Eve Shots To Throw Back For 2025!

Brit + Co

Apple Cider Shooter

That caramel vodka you bought on a whim once can finally be put to good use with this spiked apple cider shooter. Whip it up as a shot or a large punch that will last all night long. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Root Beer Float Shooter

This soda shop classic gets an adult upgrade with ROOT, a traditional alcoholic Native American tea. And tea is healthy, right? ;) (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Rainbow Shots

Meet your new party trick! All five of these shots come out of one shaker. Prepare to amaze your guests with your bartending skills this NYE. (via Brit + Co)

Sprinkle Bakes

Champagne Chantilly Shooters

Be sure to add these cake-inspired shooters to your after-holiday to-do list to start 2016 with a little bit of deliciousness. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

Feast + West

Champagne Jell-O Shots

Turn your champagne into a shot! If you’re hosting a large party, these are a way more affordable option than a case of champagne. (via Feast + West)

Dine and Dish

Blackberry Gin Shooters

This shooter is *almost* too pretty to drink. Plus, we can all pretend that the blackberries are doing you some good. (via Dine and Dish)

A Year of Cocktails

Butternut Rum Lifesaver

A shot that tastes like candy is a sweet way to start your year off right. (via A Year of Cocktails)

Holly's Cheat Day

Tipsy Spritzer Shots

Not every shot needs to be super strong. If you’re looking for something you can enjoy throughout the night, this sweet, bubbly and tart “spritzer” shot is low in alcohol content and big on flavor. (via Holly’s Cheat Day)

Bubbly Nation Creations

Sparkling Jello Jigglers

Swap out champagne for the grape juice in this recipe to make a fancy, adult version of a JELL-O jiggler. Sprinkles and edible gold stars required. (via Bubbly Nation Creations)

Broma Bakery

Champagne Jello Shots

Awww, Jello Shots are all grown up in this festive recipe. They have a nice flavor that won’t leave you wincing afterwards. (via Broma Bakery)

The First Year

White Chocolate Champagne Cheesecake Shooters

This shot is delicious enough to be dessert. Top yours with edible glitter sprinkles to get even more festive. (via The First Year)

Cookin' Canuck

Cranberry Kamikaze Shots

NYE calls for a fancier drink than a go-to beer or wine. Ring in the new year with cranberry kamikaze shots that look pretty and taste delicious (via Cookin' Canuck)

Tablespoon

Banana Split Shooters

This shot requires five ingredients that'll send your taste buds soaring. I mean, what could be better than taking a shot of something that tastes like dessert? (via Tablespoon)

Something Swanky

Sparkling Cider Jello Shots (Non-Alcoholic)

If you want to be extra careful not to induce a hangover when you wake up in 2024, your best bet are these sparkling cider jello shots. They're made with unflavored gelatin, distilled water, cider and your choice of berries, cherries, or gummies! (via Something Swanky)

Looking for more NYE recipe or drink ideas? Check out Brit + Co on Pinterest and check out our New Year's Eve dinner ideas for more inspiration.This post has been updated.

party ideasnsfwnew years eve