Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a vibrant and festive dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining fresh greens, tart berries, crisp apple slices, and a tangy-sweet dressing, it offers a refreshing contrast to rich seasonal meals.

Ingredients

• 4 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
• 1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or dried cranberries)
• 1 medium apple, thinly sliced (such as a Gala or Granny Smith)
• ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash and dry the baby spinach or mixed greens thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Step 2: Core and thinly slice the apple. You can leave the skin on for extra color and nutrients if desired.
3. Step 3: Prepare the pomegranate seeds by carefully removing them from the fruit. For fresh cranberries, either leave them whole or slice in half for a milder flavor.
4. Step 4: Toast the candied pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, then let them cool.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Adjust seasonings to taste.
6. Step 6: In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, feta cheese, and red onion if using. Toss gently to mix ingredients evenly.
7. Step 7: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss again carefully to coat everything without overdressing. Add more dressing if needed.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately as a colorful and refreshing side dish or appetizer.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute dried cranberries if fresh ones are not available, but reduce added honey in the dressing since dried fruit is sweeter.
• Try adding pomegranate molasses to the dressing for extra depth and a richer flavor.
• Use toasted walnuts or pecans without candy coating for a less sweet, nuttier salad.
• For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.

Storage

Store leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving again to keep greens crisp. The nuts may lose crunchiness if dressed too far in advance.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, dried cranberries work well in this salad and add sweetness. Just reduce the honey in the dressing slightly to balance the flavors.

Is it okay to prepare this salad ahead of time?

It’s best to keep the dressing and salad ingredients separate until serving to maintain freshness. Assemble and dress just before eating to avoid soggy greens.

Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.7 from 71 reviews

A festive and refreshing Christmas Salad featuring baby spinach, fresh pomegranate seeds, cranberries, crisp apple slices, toasted candied nuts, and optional crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade honey mustard dressing. Perfect as a colorful side dish or starter for holiday meals.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 4 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
• 1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or dried cranberries)
• 1 medium apple, thinly sliced (such as Gala or Granny Smith)
• ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Wash and Dry the Greens: Thoroughly wash the baby spinach or mixed greens to remove any dirt. Use a salad spinner or pat dry gently with a paper towel to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring a fresh crisp base for your salad.
2. Slice the Apple: Core the apple and thinly slice it. Keep the skin on if desired to add color and extra nutrients to the salad.
3. Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: Carefully extract fresh pomegranate seeds from the fruit. For fresh cranberries, leave them whole or slice in half for a milder flavor. If using dried cranberries, no preparation needed.
4. Toast the Nuts (Optional): To enhance their flavor, toast the candied pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Allow them to cool before adding to the salad.
5. Make the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
6. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese (if using), and optionally sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix ingredients evenly.
7. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad. Toss carefully to coat all ingredients evenly without overdressing. Add dressing gradually based on your preference.
8. Serve Immediately: Present your Christmas Salad fresh as a colorful, healthy side dish or starter perfect for holiday gatherings.

Notes

• Use fresh cranberries for a tart bite or dried cranberries for sweetness.
• Feta cheese and red onion are optional but add great texture and flavor contrast.
• Toasted candied nuts bring a delightful crunch and depth of flavor.
• Adjust the amount of dressing based on personal preference to avoid overdressing.
• This salad is best served immediately to maintain freshness and crispness.

Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, honey mustard dressing, pomegranate salad, apple salad, festive side dish, healthy salad