The Best Christmas Salad for a Festive Holiday Table
Looking for a salad that instantly makes the holiday table feel more special? This Christmas salad is a festive favorite with plenty of fresh appeal. It brings a beautiful touch of color to any celebration. The flavors feel bright and inviting. Every bite adds a refreshing contrast to hearty holiday dishes.
This easy Christmas salad is perfect for family dinners, festive gatherings, and seasonal celebrations. It has a cheerful presentation that makes it stand out without feeling complicated. You can serve it as part of a relaxed Christmas meal or bring it to a holiday potluck. It is simple, elegant, and crowd-pleasing.
If you want a fresh recipe that feels right at home during the holiday season, this Christmas salad is a wonderful choice.
A Light and Delicious Christmas Side Dish
The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with family and friends. It’s no secret that food brings people together. I love to make various dishes for Christmas dinner to ensure everyone has something they enjoy. Incorporating veggies to pair alongside the comfort food adds balance without sacrificing flavor.
This fresh and light Christmas salad recipe is one of my go-tos. It’s simple, delicious, and I never have leftovers. The dressing adds an amazing taste, a tangy and savory element paired with crispy fresh greens and juicy citrus. Feta cheese ties it all together with just the right amount of saltiness.
What You’ll Need
Just 5 ingredients for the salad and 6 for the vinaigrette dressing – so easy! Homemade dressings are easier to prepare than you think, and this one is one of the simplest and tastiest that I have ever made. It’s tangy and sweet and goes great with the salad ingredients!
Salad
- Mixed Spring Greens: Any mixed greens work great. I love using mixes that include spinach, kale, or both!
- Mandarin Oranges
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Feta Cheese
- Candied Pecans and Cranberries: I found these in the produce section of my local Walmart store. Be sure to give them a rough chop before adding them to the salad.
Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Olive Oil: I love to use good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Honey: Use any variety of honey you prefer for the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Dijon Mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Christmas Salad
From start to finish, this Christmas salad recipe will be ready for the table in just 10 minutes! It’s quick and easy – a fantastic addition to your holiday menu that requires almost no extra effort.
- Combine Salad Ingredients. Add mixed greens, mandarin slices, pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and candied pecans/cranberries to a large serving bowl.
- Make the Dressing. Whisk olive oil, honey, mustard, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until well combined.
- Dress the Salad. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently before serving.
- Serve. Reserve any extra dressing to serve on the side and enjoy.
Tips and Variations
Here are some more Christmas salad ideas!
- Vinegar: Substitute balsamic vinegar if preferred.
- Pecans and Cranberries: Use regular pecans and dried cranberries if you can’t find the candied mix. In a pinch you can substitute with walnuts or unsalted mixed nuts.
- Pomegranate: Not a fan of pomegranate arils? Omit them and use an additional ½ cup of candied pecans and cranberries.
How to Store Leftovers
If you find that you have extra Christmas salad, it may be stored in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Use the leftovers within 24 hours.
Christmas Salad
Ingredients
- 11 oz. mixed spring greens
- 2 mandarins peeled and segmented
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ cup candied pecans w/cranberries roughly chopped
For Dressing:
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, place the greens, mandarins, pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and chopped pecans/cranberries.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over salad just before serving. Lightly toss with tongs. Serve any leftover dressing alongside for those who want heavier dressing.