I used to think winter salads were just what you ate when you felt guilty about the holidays—but then this one happened. It started as a fridge clean-out situation: half a radicchio, an apple, some tired-looking endive, and a jar of anchovies I forgot I liked. Tossed it all in a bowl with toasted walnuts and a creamy, punchy dressing, and suddenly it wasn’t a sad salad anymore—it was dinner.
This isn’t your typical delicate leaf situation. It’s bold, a little bitter, a little sweet, super crunchy, and honestly? Weirdly addictive. It’s the kind of apple walnut salad that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together—even if you’re eating it straight from the large salad bowl in your sweats.
Radicchio Winter Salad with Walnuts, Apples, and Parmesan-Anchovy Dressing
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Large salad bowl
- Whisk
- Medium mixing bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 anchovy fillets mashed into a paste
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 2 Belgian endives core removed, thinly sliced
- 1 small head radicchio thinly sliced
- 4 cups frisée curly endive, pale green and yellow parts only
- 1 large tart apple like Fuji or Granny Smith, sliced into matchsticks
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups toasted walnuts
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, mashed anchovies, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. It should be creamy, tangy, and unapologetically umami.½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, 6 anchovy fillets, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, Salt, Black pepper
- Toast the Walnuts (if needed): If your walnuts aren’t already toasted, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often until they’re golden and smell amazing. Let them cool before adding to the salad.2 cups toasted walnuts
- Prep the Greens and Apple: Slice the endives and radicchio thinly. Trim and separate the frisée, using only the pale green and yellow inner parts. Cut the apple into thin matchsticks—this adds just the right touch of sweetness and crunch.2 Belgian endives, 1 small head radicchio, 1 large tart apple
- Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the endive, radicchio, frisée, apple, and parsley. Start with a few spoonfuls of dressing and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing as needed, but don’t overdo it—this salad likes to breathe.4 cups frisée, ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Add the Crunch: Toss in the toasted walnuts at the end for extra crunch. Give it a final toss and serve immediately.
Winter Radicchio Salad Hacks from a Bitter Greens Addict
🥬 Don’t Fear the Bitter Greens
Radicchio and frisée can taste like regret if you go in unprepared. Balance is key—make sure your sweet apples and toasted walnuts are doing the heavy lifting. Granny Smiths? Too tart. Go Fuji or Honeycrisp if you’re not here for drama.
🥄 Anchovy-phobic? Read This
If the word “anchovy” makes you flinch, relax. You’re not slapping a fish filet on your salad—you’re mixing it into a creamy Parmesan dressing where it disappears into pure umami magic. Still can’t do it? Sub in a dash of soy sauce or miso paste. We won’t tell.
🍋 When Life Gives You Lemons… Use Them
Fresh lemon juice brightens the whole thing, especially when your greens are leaning toward “mood swing bitter.” Bottled lemon juice works in emergencies, but fresh is like putting on real pants—you’ll just feel better.
🔪 Slice It Like You Mean It
Shred that radicchio and endive nice and thin. No one wants a mouthful of whole cabbage-leaf energy in a dainty salad moment. This is a salad, not a lettuce wrap.
🥗 Go Big or Bowl Home
Use your largest salad bowl—seriously. Don’t be that person chasing runaway frisée around a cereal bowl. You need space to toss like a pro (or at least pretend).
🥜 No Walnuts? No Problem
Toasted pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts can easily step in if walnuts aren’t your vibe. Candied nuts? Even better. You didn’t hear it from me.
🧀 Cheese, Please (But Optional)
Parmesan is the classic here, but if you’re dairy-free, try a plant-based cheese or just up the salt and anchovy for that savory kick. Feta could work too—just don’t get fancy goat cheese ideas unless you’re going full holiday mode.
❄️ Make It Holiday-Worthy
Add a handful of dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds and boom—Christmas salad cranberry vibes achieved. Who says festive can’t be low-effort?
