Zesty Winter Slaw Recipe: A Refreshing Barefoot Contessa’s Gem

Cold winter days call for a vibrant winter slaw that bursts with flavor and crunch.

The Barefoot Contessa winter slaw recipe delivers a refreshing twist on traditional salads that will spark excitement at any table.

Colorful, crisp vegetables dance together in a zesty dressing that cuts through hearty winter meals.

Bright purple cabbage and green kale create a stunning visual appeal that’s both nutritious and delightful.

Slicing and mixing these ingredients takes mere minutes, making this slaw an effortless side dish for busy cooks.

Sharp flavors and tender-crisp textures blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

You’ll want to serve this slaw at every winter gathering, from casual dinners to elegant parties.

Helpful Tips to Enhance Your Winter Slaw

• Swap out kale, Brussels sprouts, or radicchio with seasonal alternatives like Swiss chard, cabbage, or endive for a fresh twist on the original recipe.
• Enhance the slaw by adding roasted chicken, crispy bacon bits, toasted almonds, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a hearty main course.
• Experiment with different acid bases like champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or orange juice instead of lemon to create unique flavor profiles that complement the winter vegetables.
• Prepare the chopped vegetables and dressing separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting.
• Keep leftover slaw fresh by storing in a sealed container for up to 2 days, understanding that the vegetables might lose some crunch but will retain their delicious flavor.

Best Ways to Serve Winter Slaw

• Elevate Your Dinner Plate: Pair this vibrant winter slaw as a refreshing side dish alongside roasted chicken or grilled fish for a balanced meal that pops with color and flavor.
• Create a Festive Lunch Spread: Transform the slaw into a light main course by adding grilled tofu, sliced almonds, or rotisserie chicken for a hearty and nutritious midday feast.
• Prep Ahead for Easy Entertaining: Chop the greens and store separately from the dressing up to a day in advance, making party prep a breeze and ensuring crisp, fresh textures when serving guests.
• Customize Your Crunch: Experiment with additional toppings like toasted pine nuts, crispy bacon bits, or a sprinkle of hemp seeds to add extra texture and personal flair to this versatile salad.

Meal Planning Tips for Winter Slaw

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store leftover slaw in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep crisp by adding dressing just before serving to prevent wilting.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Chop vegetables and store separately in sealed containers up to 24 hours before mixing. Add Parmesan and cranberries right before serving to maintain texture.
• Revive Wilted Greens: If slaw loses crunch, sprinkle with ice water and gently pat dry with paper towels to refresh before serving.
• Pack for Lunch: Separate wet ingredients from dry components when transporting to work or picnics. Mix just before eating to keep salad crunchy and vibrant.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 353 kcal

Servings: 6

Winter Slaw: Ingredients You’ll Need

• Kale: A robust, nutrient-packed leafy green with a slightly bitter punch that adds wonderful texture and earthy depth to the slaw.
• Brussels Sprouts: Crisp miniature cabbages that bring a delightful crunch and mild, nutty flavor to the winter salad.
• Radicchio: A vibrant red chicory with a pleasantly bitter taste that adds beautiful color and complex flavor to the dish.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, zesty citrus that cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing tang to the slaw.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity oil that binds the dressing and provides a luxurious mouthfeel to the salad.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances and elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Warm, sharp spice that adds a subtle heat and complexity to the vinaigrette.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds a rich, umami dimension and elegant shards of flavor.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart jewels that provide bursts of fruity brightness and a delightful contrast to the savory elements.

Kitchen Tools for Making Winter Slaw

• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for precise vegetable slicing.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining slaw ingredients.
• Small mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending dressing smoothly.
• Vegetable peeler: Ideal for creating delicate Parmesan cheese shards.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and pepper.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Winter Slaw

• Winter Vegetable Medley

A vibrant salad showcasing crisp, hearty winter greens carefully sliced into delicate ribbons, creating a colorful and nutritious dish perfect for chilly days.

• Zesty Citrus Infusion

A bright, tangy dressing blending fresh lemon juice with smooth olive oil, seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables.

• Elegant Cheese and Berry Accent

Large, delicate Parmesan shavings scattered across the slaw, complemented by sweet dried cranberries that add a pop of color and burst of fruity flavor.

• Harmonious Blend

Gently combining all ingredients, allowing the textures and flavors to mingle without crushing the delicate cheese shards, creating a balanced and refreshing winter salad that can be enjoyed chilled or at ambient temperature.

Crisp Winter Slaw Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Winter slaw from Barefoot Contessa delivers crisp, fresh flavors that combine crunchy vegetables with a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Ina Garten’s salad provides a light, refreshing side dish you can enjoy alongside hearty winter meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 oz (170 g) Parmesan cheese, in a chunk
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 6 to 8 large kale leaves
• 6 oz (170 g) Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved, and cored
• ½ small head radicchio, cored
• ¼ cup (60 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• ½ cup (120 mL) good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Slicing Greens: Finely shred kale, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio into thin, uniform strips, creating a vibrant, textured base for the winter slaw in a large mixing bowl.
2. Vinaigrette Preparation: Whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper until the dressing transforms into a silky, well-integrated emulsion.
3. Dressing and Embellishing: Lightly coat the sliced greens with vinaigrette, then gracefully scatter Parmesan cheese shavings and dried cranberries across the verdant mixture, adding depth and contrasting flavors.
4. Final Touches: Gently toss the ingredients, preserving the delicate Parmesan shards, and fine-tune the seasoning by adding more vinaigrette or salt and pepper to achieve a harmonious flavor profile.

Notes

• Master Slicing Technique: Slice kale, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio with precision into ultra-thin strips to create a delicate, restaurant-quality texture that enhances the slaw’s overall eating experience.
• Vinaigrette Emulsion Secret: Whisk lemon juice and olive oil thoroughly to create a perfectly balanced, smooth dressing that coats each vegetable piece evenly without becoming soggy.
• Cheese and Cranberry Contrast: Use a vegetable peeler to create elegant Parmesan shavings that add a rich, salty dimension, while dried cranberries provide a sweet-tart burst of flavor and visual appeal.
• Serve Smart: Enjoy the slaw immediately at cool room temperature or chilled to maintain the crisp texture and vibrant flavors of the fresh ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 353
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 284 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 22 mg