Christmas Salad

Featured in Fresh and filling salads.

This vibrant 20-Minute Christmas Salad brings holiday colors and flavors to your festive table. Fresh baby spinach forms the base for classic holiday ingredients including sweet mandarin oranges, jewel-like pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. Creamy goat cheese adds richness, while the homemade Honey-Mustard Lime Vinaigrette brings all the flavors together with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Quick to prepare but elegant enough for special occasions, this salad pairs beautifully with traditional holiday mains from ham to turkey, making it a versatile addition to your Christmas menu.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:56:16 GMT
Christmas Salad pin it
Christmas Salad | myhomemaderecipe.com

A perfect Christmas salad should be as festive as it is fresh - this 20-minute creation combines jewel-toned pomegranate seeds, bright mandarin oranges, and crisp pecans into a dish that's both beautiful and delicious. It's the ideal light counterpoint to rich holiday meals.

Through years of holiday entertaining, I've learned that the best festive salads combine color, texture, and ease of preparation. This recipe was born from wanting to create something special without adding stress to holiday meal preparation.

Essential Ingredients

  • Baby Spinach: Choose fresh, crisp leaves for the best foundation
  • Pomegranate Seeds: Their ruby color adds festive sparkle
  • Mandarin Oranges: Fresh provide the best flavor, but quality canned work well
  • Pecans: Toast them to enhance their nutty flavor
  • Dried Cranberries: Look for plump, moist ones
  • Goat Cheese: Room temperature crumbles more easily
  • Quality Olive Oil: The base of our honey-mustard lime vinaigrette
  • Fresh Lime: Both juice and zest brighten the dressing

Detailed Instructions

Pecan Preparation (7-8 minutes):
Spread pecans on baking sheet. Toast at 350°F until fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Cool completely before using.
Dressing Creation (5 minutes):
Whisk olive oil and honey until combined. Add fresh lime juice and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust flavors. Let stand for flavors to meld.
Component Preparation (8-10 minutes):
Wash and dry spinach thoroughly. Segment mandarin oranges if using fresh. Extract pomegranate seeds if not pre-packaged. Bring goat cheese to room temperature. Plump cranberries in hot water if needed.
Assembly Process (5 minutes):
Layer spinach in large serving bowl. Add mandarin segments and pomegranate seeds. Scatter dried cranberries. Top with cooled pecans. Crumble goat cheese over top. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.
Final Touches:
Reserve some toppings for garnish. Add extra pomegranate seeds for color. Finish with fresh cracked pepper. Serve dressing on the side if desired.
Christmas Salad pin it
Christmas Salad | myhomemaderecipe.com

The first time I served this at a holiday gathering, I discovered that presenting the components in layers, rather than tossing them together, created a stunning visual impact that guests loved. It's become my go-to strategy for holiday entertaining.

Make-Ahead Strategy

Holiday timing is everything. Here's how to prep efficiently:

  • Toast and store pecans up to 1 week ahead
  • Make dressing up to 3 days in advance
  • Wash and dry greens the day before
  • Extract pomegranate seeds 2 days ahead
  • Final assembly takes just 5 minutes

Seasonal Variations

  • Substitute blood oranges for mandarins
  • Add sliced pears or apples
  • Include candied walnuts instead of pecans
  • Try different soft cheeses like brie or camembert
  • Add fresh herbs like mint or basil

Pairing Suggestions

  • Glazed Ham
  • Roast Turkey
  • Prime Rib
  • Seafood Dishes
  • Vegetarian Main Courses
Christmas Salad pin it
Christmas Salad | myhomemaderecipe.com

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Soggy Salad: Keep components separate until serving
  • Bitter Greens: Balance with extra honey in dressing
  • Brown Fruit: Toss with lemon juice to prevent oxidation
  • Dry Cranberries: Plump in hot water for 5 minutes

This Christmas Salad has taught me that holiday dishes don't need to be complicated to be spectacular. The key is choosing ingredients that naturally create festive beauty. Whether served at an elegant Christmas dinner or a casual holiday lunch, it brings color, freshness, and joy to any winter table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to keep the spinach crisp.
→ What's the best way to toast pecans?
Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, watching carefully to prevent burning.
→ Can I substitute the goat cheese?
Yes, feta cheese or blue cheese can work well as alternatives to goat cheese.
→ How do I easily get pomegranate seeds out?
Cut pomegranate in half and tap the back with a wooden spoon over a bowl to release the seeds.
→ Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes, the dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Fresh Holiday Christmas Salad

A festive salad featuring baby spinach, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds and pecans with a honey-mustard lime vinaigrette.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Honey-Mustard Lime Vinaigrette

01 ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
02 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
03 3 tablespoons honey
04 1 large lime, freshly squeezed

→ Salad

05 6 oz baby spinach
06 1 cup pecan halves, toasted (some chopped finely)
07 ½ cup dried cranberries
08 3 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
09 ⅓ cup goat cheese, crumbled
10 ⅓ cup pomegranate arils

Instructions

Step 01

Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and lime juice in a mason jar. Whisk with a fork until emulsified. Adjust lime juice to taste.

Step 02

For individual servings, add spinach to each bowl. Top with pecans, cranberries, mandarin segments, goat cheese, and pomegranate arils. Drizzle with dressing.

Step 03

For family-style serving, combine all ingredients except pecans and pomegranate in a large bowl. Toss with dressing, then top with toasted pecans and pomegranate arils.

Notes

  1. Perfect holiday salad to pair with ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin, turkey, or seafood
  2. Can be served individually or family-style
  3. Features classic holiday ingredients for a festive presentation

Tools You'll Need

  • Mason jar for dressing
  • Large serving bowl or individual salad bowls
  • Fork or whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains nuts (pecans)
  • Contains dairy (goat cheese)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 362
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
  • Protein: 6 g