Christmas Salad Recipe
Easy Christmas salad recipe bursting with fresh citrus, pomegranate, and candied nuts — a beautiful, refreshing side for any holiday meal.
Ingredients
- For the Salad Base:
- 6 cups mixed greens spring mix, arugula, or spinach
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented (or 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained)
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese/feta
- ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts
- For the Honey Mustard Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice from one of the mandarins
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
- Rinse and dry mixed greens thoroughly. Peel and segment oranges, slice the onion, and crumble the cheese.
- Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, orange juice, and vinegar until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad:
- Layer greens in a large bowl. Add oranges, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, onions, and nuts.
- Dress and Toss:
- Drizzle dressing over the top and toss gently to coat evenly. Add crumbled blue cheese last.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with extra pomegranate seeds or orange zest.
Notes
- Add dressing just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- You can prep ingredients up to 2 days ahead — store dressing separately.
- Substitute blue cheese with feta or goat cheese if preferred.
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey and skip the cheese.
- Serve chilled for the most refreshing flavor.