This delectable Christmas Salad brings spring greens together with sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils all drizzled with a tangy Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette. I love to serve it with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Steak Diane.
Christmas is coming! As a matter of fact, it is right around the corner. Are you ready to go? Do you have your dinner planned? This gorgeous Christmas salad comes together quickly and is always a hit. It pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, prime rib, pork tenderloin, lobster or shrimp.
How do you make Christmas salad?
Start by mixing the Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Now slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously.
Next grab a big beautiful bowl and add your spring green, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Making this Christmas salad is really just that easy and so darn delicious and beautiful.
Where can you find pomegranate arils?
Pomegranate arils are really just the red jewels found inside a pomegranate. They contain a sweet nectar that surrounds a white seed in the middle. Around late November through December grocery stores will have pomegranates available and some stores may even have the arils already removed and available for sale. I have picked them up at Costco on many occasions over the years.
However do not fret if the removed arils are not available. Just pick up a pomegranate from your local store. When ready to use simply roll on the counter like you would knead a hunk of dough. This will loosen the seeds. Now simply cut it in half and squeeze the fruit over the bowl while smacking the skin side of the fruit somewhat hard with a wooden spoon. The seeds will drop into the bowl and you can use a slotted spoon to remove them from the juice.
Helpful tips for making this Christmas Salad
- You can substitute Pecans for the sliced almonds if desired.
- The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette can be made up to two days in advance however remove from the refrigerator about 45 minutes in advance of serving to warm to remove temperature and whisk or shake well.
- I encourage you to use fresh seedless mandarin oranges but in a pinch you could use canned.
- If pomegranates are out of season blueberries are a great substitute.
- This salad is equally delicious with a honey poppy seed dressing.
Other salad recipes you will love!
Christmas Salad
A super easy Christmas Salad that is as fun and festive as it is delicious. Drizzle with a delectable Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Christmas Salad
- 12 ounces fresh spring greens
- 2/3 cup sliced almonds
- 2/3 cup feta cheese
- 4 seedless mandarin oranges peeled and segmented
- 1 pomegranate seeded
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil; whisking continuously.
- In a large bowl add spring green, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
Keywords: salad, Christmas salad, Christmas salad recipes, Christmas salad ideas, salads for Christmas dinner, Christmas green salad, Christmas green salad recipes, Christmas salad pomegranate, a good Christmas salad, Christmas side salads
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Amanda
I come back to this recipe time and time again. It’s always a hit. It’s like a grown-up honey mustard that never fails ❤️❤️ When I don’t have Pom, I substitute mango, grapes, craisins or skip altogether.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So glad that you like it Amanda and thanks for the great tips!
Linda Latta
Why not recommend crumbled chèvre (goat cheese) instead of feta. It makes sense. Baby spinach instead of mixed lettuce and strawberries instead of oranges. Just a thought.
Barbara Kreuzmann
This is one of the best salads I have ever eaten. I added a head of romaine lettuce to the package of Rhine mix that an organic farm in Cincinnati area sells and there was enough dressing to handle the added lettuce. I know my daughter and I will make it again.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Barbara! We had this salad last night for dinner. It is quite yummy. So glad that you and your daughters like it.
Heather Rinaldi
Looking to make rugs for Christmas Eve; can you suggest a honey poppyseed recipe that you mention as an alternative? TIA
Beth Pierce
Here is my poppy seed dressing. If you like sub 3-4 tablespoons honey for the sugar. Merry Christmas.
Raegan
Hi! I’m excited to try this! Do you think I could sub in Clementine slices for orange slices? I have a lot of those right now!
Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Yes that would fine.
Mary
What cheese could I sub for feta? It looks beautiful & will make for Christmas, thank you.
Beth Pierce
Try a Mexican crumble cheese called cotija.
Erica
I am looking forward to making and eating this salad. I know I could just leave it out, but could you please suggest a substitute for the feta cheese? Thank you!
Beth Pierce
You could try a crumbly Mexican cheese called Cotija
Lucille
What can I use in place of pomegranates ?
Beth Pierce
Dried cranberries
Kristina
Literally. The best salad I have ever had. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Kristina! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Allyson Gallagher
Made dressing ahead of time…used rice wine vinvgar. Added baby spinach & kiwi.
Made this for Christmas dinner.
Everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Allyson! So glad that everyone liked it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rebecca
This salad looks amazing!
I don’t have champagne vinegar though. Any ideas on what I could replace it with? Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Sorry I missed this. You could use red wine vinegar or even apple cider vinegar.
Brooke
How long is the dressing good for in the fridge? Thanks!
Beth Pierce
2 days
Melissa
Beautiful and delicious! Great for the for the holidays!
★★★★★
Heather Lynn Sharpe
Thank you for the lovely recipe! Looking forward to trying it this Christmas Eve. My father-in-law is allergic to apples and pears and I’m always on the hunt for recipes that don’t include them since EVERYONE seems to put them in there somehow, haha.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Heather! Enjoy!
Toni
This is such a fun and festive salad! Such a great addition to our holiday menu!
★★★★★
LAUREN KELLY
Beautiful, delicious and healthy! Great recipe!
★★★★★
Emily Flint
I don’t think I can wait until Christmas for this one, that dressing sounds light and delicious!!
★★★★★
Laura
I love the pomegranates in this recipe. It’s so pretty and they add a great pop of flavor.
★★★★★
Shashi
Such a gorgeous and colorful salad – the perfect addition to the Christmas table!
★★★★★
Alisa Infanti
So yummy and pretty on the table.
★★★★★
Karen
I HIGHLY suggest to substitute MINCED SHALLOTS for the garlic & you will add such a nice flavor to the dressing & thus the salad. And sprinkle your greens with a bit of salt & pepper & mix well before adding rest of ingredients & the dressing (I learned that little secret from Bobby Flay!) Try this salad with thinly sliced Comice pears & gorgonzola crumbles instead of mandarins & feta. SOOOO good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for all the great tips!
Melissa
Beautiful and delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!
★★★★★
Erin
We love all the flavors and textures of this recipe. It’s good year-round!
★★★★★
wilhelmina
Love this salad! The mustard dressing is out of this world!
★★★★★
Jo Allison
What a fantastic combination of flavours, textures and colours, it looks beautiful and really Christmassy indeed. Can’t wait to try it especially with this lovely vinaigrette!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Jo! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Mayuri Patel
This salad is so beautiful, colorful and festive. perfect for Christmas or even as a light meal. Would love to try it with the honey poppy seed dressing.
★★★★★
Adrianne
Christmas is indeed coming so soon! What a perfect addition to the table. I love the colours and the festive appearance. Can’t wait to try it! Cheers
★★★★★
Jamie
A delicious salad to bring for the holidays! I love the flavors in the salad dressing. Delicious!
★★★★★
Shanika
This Salad really does look colorful and festive! I’m loving the addition of tangerines and pomegranate seeds! Delish!
★★★★★
Taylor
Love the addition of the fresh pomegranates and that honey mustard vinaigrette is to die for!
★★★★
Cathy
Such a gorgeous salad and the flavors are amazing!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Christmas Salad couldn’t look any more perfect!
★★★★★
Sara Welch
What a great seasonal salad! Made this with dinner tonight and can’t wait to enjoy this all season long; it is delicious!
★★★★
Dorothy Reinhold
First of all I want that honey mustard vinaigrette on everything!! I love how fresh and colorful this salad looks!
annie
This sounds amazing, I’m adding it to our menu for Christmas Eve!
Jessica
I really can’t believe that Christmas is just a few weeks away! This salad looks divine!