Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and festive Christmas Salad featuring fresh greens, seasonal fruits like pomegranate seeds, cranberries, and apple slices, paired with crunchy candied nuts and optional feta cheese, all brought together by a sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or starter during the holiday season.
- 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
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
- Wash and Dry the Greens: Start by washing your spinach or mixed greens thoroughly. Dry them gently with a salad spinner or paper towels to remove any excess moisture, ensuring your salad stays crisp.
- Slice the Apple: Core the apple and thinly slice it. Leaving the skin on adds color and nutrients, but peel if preferred.
- Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: If using fresh pomegranate, carefully remove the seeds. For cranberries, you may leave them whole for a tart punch or slice in half for a milder flavor.
- Toast the Nuts (Optional): To elevate the 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion slices if using. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated, adding more dressing gradually to avoid overdressing.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a colorful and refreshing side dish or starter for your holiday meal.
Notes
- Use dried cranberries if fresh are not available; they add a sweet tartness that complements the dressing.
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning and maintain their crunch and flavor.
- Feta cheese is optional but adds a creamy, tangy element; omit for a dairy-free option.
- The salad is best served fresh to maintain the crisp textures of the greens and fruits.
- Adjust the amount of dressing according to your preference to avoid making the salad soggy.
Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, honey mustard dressing, pomegranate salad, spinach salad, festive salad, healthy salad recipe
