This warm winter salad with roasted banana is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a cozy meal. The sweetness of the bananas pairs beautifully with the tangy feta cheese and the crunch of toasted walnuts. It's a unique twist on a traditional salad that will warm you up on a chilly day.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might not always have bananas or feta cheese on hand. Make sure to pick up fresh mixed greens and cherry tomatoes as well. Toasted walnuts can be found in the baking aisle or you can toast them yourself at home.

Ingredients For Warm Winter Salad With Roasted Banana
Bananas: Sliced lengthwise and roasted to bring out their natural sweetness.
Mixed greens: A blend of leafy greens that forms the base of the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved for a burst of juicy flavor.
Feta cheese: Crumbled for a tangy and creamy element.
Toasted walnuts: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Olive oil: Used for roasting the bananas and in the salad dressing.
Balsamic vinegar: Combined with olive oil to create a simple, flavorful dressing.
Technique Tip for This Winter Salad
When roasting bananas, ensure they are ripe but still firm to maintain their shape and achieve a caramelized exterior. Drizzle with olive oil sparingly to avoid sogginess. For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg before roasting.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
bananas - Substitute with plantains: Plantains have a similar texture and sweetness when roasted, making them a good alternative.
mixed greens - Substitute with spinach: Spinach provides a similar nutritional profile and texture, and it pairs well with the other salad ingredients.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar size and sweetness, making them an easy swap.
feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy flavor and crumbly texture, which complements the salad well.
walnuts - Substitute with pecans: Pecans offer a similar crunch and slightly sweet flavor, making them a good alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor that works well in salads.
balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar provides a similar acidity and depth of flavor, making it a suitable replacement.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Winter Salad
How To Store / Freeze This Winter Salad
Allow the roasted bananas to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the salad soggy.
Store the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and toasted walnuts separately from the roasted bananas and dressing. This keeps the ingredients fresh and prevents them from becoming mushy.
Place the mixed greens and other salad components in an airtight container. Use a paper towel to line the container to absorb any excess moisture.
Store the roasted bananas in a separate airtight container. If you plan to use them within a day or two, refrigerate them. For longer storage, freeze the roasted bananas by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freezing until solid, and then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Keep the dressing in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well before using.
When ready to serve, reheat the roasted bananas in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
Combine all the salad ingredients just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently.
If you have leftover salad that has already been dressed, store it in an airtight container and consume within 1-2 days. Note that the mixed greens may wilt slightly, but the flavors will still be delicious.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover salad on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Warm it for about 10-15 minutes, just until the bananas and walnuts are heated through, but not too long to wilt the mixed greens.
Alternatively, you can use a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the leftover salad. Stir gently for about 5-7 minutes, ensuring the bananas and walnuts are warmed without overcooking the greens.
For a quick microwave method, place the leftover salad in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap steam. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure the bananas and walnuts are warm but the greens are not overly wilted.
If you prefer a more refreshing approach, consider reheating only the bananas and walnuts. Use the oven or skillet methods mentioned above, then toss them back with the cold mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. This way, you maintain a contrast between warm and cool elements in your salad.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: used to roast the bananas until they are golden and caramelized.
Baking sheet: to place the sliced bananas on for roasting.
Knife: to slice the bananas lengthwise.
Cutting board: to provide a stable surface for slicing the bananas.
Large bowl: to combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and walnuts.
Small bowl: to whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
Whisk: to mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly.
Measuring cups: to measure out the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and walnuts.
Measuring spoons: to measure the olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing.
Tongs: to gently toss the salad with the dressing.
Serving platter: to present the warm winter salad beautifully.
How To Save Time on This Recipe
Preheat the oven first: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it's ready when you need it.
Prep ingredients simultaneously: While the oven is heating, slice the bananas and prepare the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts.
Use pre-toasted nuts: Save time by using pre-toasted walnuts instead of toasting them yourself.
Make dressing ahead: Whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing while the bananas are roasting.
Combine ingredients efficiently: Use a large bowl to mix all salad ingredients at once, then add the roasted bananas and dressing.

Warm Winter Salad With Roasted Banana
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 bananas sliced lengthwise
- 1 cup mixed greens
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 0.25 cup walnuts toasted
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice bananas lengthwise and place on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and roast for 15-20 minutes until golden.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and walnuts.
- Add roasted bananas to the salad.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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