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Stunning Winter Layered Salad with Beets and Brussels Sprouts

A person shaking a jar of the Winter Layered Salad to mix in the dressing.

A vibrant and healthy layered salad, perfect for a main course or meal prep. This ‘Winter Layered Salad’ features a base of cooked pearled barley, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, cooked beets, and fresh grapefruit segments. The salad is layered in a large glass bowl or individual jars for a beautiful presentation and is topped with toasted walnuts and pomegranate seeds. It is served with a homemade red wine vinaigrette made with shallots, Dijon mustard, and honey.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup walnut halves
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 2 large pink grapefruits
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 cups mesclun greens (about 5 ounces)
  • 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced
  • 4 large cooked and peeled beets, cut into wedges (about 10 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Components:
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until toasted. Let them cool, then roughly chop.
  3. Meanwhile, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the pearled barley and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Strain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  4. Use a sharp knife to peel the grapefruits, removing all the white pith. Cut the grapefruits into pieces and remove any seeds.
  5. Make the Vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, shallots, mustard, honey, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the vinaigrette is emulsified.
  6. Layer the Salad: Using either a 3-quart straight-sided tall glass bowl or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars, create your layers.
  7. Start with a layer of half the mesclun greens, then add separate layers of the grapefruit pieces, the sliced Brussels sprouts, the cooked barley, and the beet wedges.
  8. Finish with a final layer of the remaining mesclun greens. Sprinkle the toasted walnuts and pomegranate seeds on top.
  9. Serve: If making one large salad, transfer it to a large serving bowl just before serving, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss to combine.
  10. If making individual jar salads, add the vinaigrette to each jar, cover with the lid, and shake to coat before serving.

Notes

  • Special Equipment: A straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars are recommended for the layered presentation.
  • Meal Prep Tip: The barley can be cooked and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance to save time.
  • The dressing should be added just before serving to keep the greens from becoming soggy.

Nutrition