This bright, crunchy Christmas Salad brings color and freshness to any holiday table. Sweet-tart fruit, salty feta, and toasty nuts come together with a zippy maple citrus vinaigrette for a bowl everyone reaches for. It’s simple to prep ahead so hosting feels calm and joyful.
Christmas Salad
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Whisk or jar with lid for shaking
- 1 Skillet dry, for toasting nuts
- 1 Chef's knife
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 cups spring mix or baby spinach
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- 2 oranges segmented; clementines also work
- 1 apple thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala)
- 0.5 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 0.5 cup pecans toasted, cooled
- 0.25 red onion very thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs chopped rosemary or mint, optional
Maple Citrus Vinaigrette
- 0.33 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 0.5 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 0.25 tsp sea salt
- 0.125 tsp black pepper
- 1 small clove garlic finely minced, optional
Instructions
Prep the Produce
- Rinse and dry the greens thoroughly so the dressing clings well. Slice the apple thinly. Segment the oranges and remove any seeds. Thinly slice the red onion.
Make the Maple Citrus Vinaigrette
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, orange juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until silky. Adjust sweet–tart balance to taste.
Toast the Nuts
- Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and toast 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
Assemble the Salad
- Add greens to a large bowl. Scatter on pomegranate arils, orange segments, apple slices, red onion, and cooled pecans. Sprinkle feta and herbs over the top.
Dress and Serve
- Drizzle on just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Toss gently and taste for salt, pepper, and brightness. Serve right away while everything is crisp.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Salad
- Festive and vibrant with red pomegranate and jewel-toned citrus.
- Balanced flavors: sweet fruit, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts.
- Quick to assemble and easy to scale for a crowd.
- Make-ahead friendly with a whisk-together dressing.
Christmas Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
- Greens: spring mix or baby spinach. Sub arugula for a peppery kick.
- Pomegranate arils: fresh or store-bought cups to save time.
- Oranges or clementines: segments or supremes. Sub blood oranges for extra color.
- Apple: crisp slices of Honeycrisp or Gala. Pear works beautifully too.
- Feta cheese: crumbled. Sub goat cheese or shaved Parmesan.
- Nuts: toasted pecans. Walnuts or pistachios are great; use pumpkin seeds if avoiding nuts.
- Red onion: very thinly sliced. Shallot is a mild swap.
- Fresh herbs: a little chopped rosemary or mint for aroma, optional.
Maple Citrus Vinaigrette
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh orange juice and a pinch of zest
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Pure maple syrup
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced, optional
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Salad
1. Prep the Produce
Rinse and dry the greens thoroughly so the dressing clings well. Slice the apple thinly. Segment the oranges and remove any seeds. Thinly slice the red onion.
2. Make the Maple Citrus Vinaigrette
In a small bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, orange juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until silky. Adjust sweet-tart balance to taste.
3. Toast the Nuts
Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and toast 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
4. Assemble the Salad
Add greens to a large bowl. Scatter on pomegranate arils, orange segments, apple slices, red onion, and cooled pecans. Sprinkle feta and herbs over the top.
5. Dress and Serve
Drizzle on just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Toss gently and taste for salt, pepper, and brightness. Serve right away while everything is crisp.
Tips for Success
- Dry greens well to avoid a watered-down dressing.
- Tame sharp onion by soaking slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Keep apple slices fresh by tossing with a little orange juice.
- Dress just before serving to keep the textures lively.
- Salt in layers: a small pinch on the greens before dressing makes a difference.
Variations of Christmas Salad
- Pear and Cranberry: swap apple for ripe pear and add dried cranberries.
- Roasted Veg Twist: add roasted butternut squash or sweet potato cubes.
- Savory Crunch: sprinkle crisp turkey bacon bits for smoky notes.
- Cheese Swap: try goat cheese, blue cheese crumbles, or shaved Parmesan.
- Grain Bowl: fold in cooked quinoa or farro for a heartier side.
- Nut-Free: use toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Christmas Salad
- Roast turkey or herb-roasted chicken.
- Seared salmon with lemon.
- Garlic butter steak bites.
- Creamy potato soup or a simple tomato soup.
- Warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Store components separately: greens and toppings in airtight containers up to 2 days; vinaigrette up to 1 week in the fridge.
- If the salad is already dressed, enjoy within 1 day for best texture.
- No reheating needed; if nuts lose crunch, lightly re-toast before serving.
Memories Made Around the Table
Some of my favorite holiday moments start with passing this colorful bowl around the table, everyone pausing to admire the sparkle of pomegranate before the first bite.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead? Yes. Prep all components and keep the dressing separate. Toss with vinaigrette just before serving.
What greens work best? Tender mixes like spring mix or baby spinach hold the fruit and cheese nicely. Add a handful of arugula for peppery balance.
How do I seed a pomegranate without a mess? Halve it, submerge in a bowl of water, and gently coax out the arils. The pith floats, the arils sink.
Can I use bottled dressing? You can, but the quick maple citrus vinaigrette makes the salad shine and takes only a minute to whisk.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Salad is the bright, crunchy counterpoint every festive table needs. Prep ahead, toss at the last minute, and watch it disappear.