This delicious Christmas Salad Recipe brings spring greens together with sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges, and pomegranate arils, all drizzled with a tangy Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette. The flavors of the fresh citrus, salad greens, and pomegranate meld so well together, making it the perfect side dish. I love to serve it with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Steak Diane.
Easy Christmas Salad
Christmas is coming! As a matter of fact, it is right around the corner. Are you ready to go? Do you have your holiday menu 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. Other gorgeous salads to inspire your holiday meal are ambrosia salad, brussels sprouts salad, kale salad, roasted beets salad, broccoli salad, and strawberry spinach salad.
Christmas Salad Ingredients
- Spring greens – or mixed greens like arugula, baby spinach, baby greens
- Nuts for crunch – sliced almonds, walnuts, or candied pecans
- Cheese – I like feta because I think it works well in this salad. But blue cheese is a close second.
- Oranges – Preferably seedless mandarins. They are easy to peel, full of flavor, and bite-sized.
- Pomegranate seeds – also known as pomegranate arils. If you can not find them try dried cranberries or blueberries.
- Dressing ingredients – garlic, champagne vinegar (apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be substituted), honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and olive oil.
How do you make Christmas salad?
Start by mixing the Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette. Whisk together the minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. If you prefer, you can shake everything together in a mason jar. 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, roll it on the counter like you would knead a hunk of dough. This will loosen the seeds. Now 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 pomegranate 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
- Other nuts to use include pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, or walnuts.
- The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette can be made up to two days in advance; however, remove it from the refrigerator about 45 minutes before serving to warm to remove temperature and whisk or shake well.
- For optimal taste, I encourage you to use fresh, seedless mandarin oranges, but in a pinch, you could use canned ones.
- If pomegranates are out of season, blueberries or dried cranberries are a great substitute.
- Try adding pear or apple slices.
- Feta cheese substitutes include Parmesan cheese, goat cheese, and blue cheese.
- This salad is equally delicious with a honey poppy seed dressing.
Other salad recipes you will love!
Christmas Salad Recipe
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
- Whisk together minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking continuously.
- Add spring green, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges, and pomegranate arils in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Other nuts to use include pecans, pistachios, or walnuts.
- The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette can be made up to two days in advance; however, remove it from the refrigerator about 45 minutes before serving to warm to remove temperature and whisk or shake well.
- For optimal taste, I encourage you to use fresh seedless mandarin oranges, but in a pinch, you could use canned ones.
- If pomegranates are out of season, blueberries or dried cranberries are a great substitute.
- Try adding pear or apple slices.
- Feta cheese substitutes include Parmesan cheese, goat cheese, and blue cheese.
- This salad is equally delicious with a honey poppy seed dressing.
Nutrition
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Grasyah
I wonder how would those oranges will compliment the taste of a regular salad! will try to make this one too!!
Beth Pierce
They are delicious in a lot of salads!
Julie
I just started planning the Christmas menu today, and I will be making this salad. It sounds so yummy! I can’t wait.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Julie! Enjoy!
Mary
Such a pretty and festive salad! I love the combination of the citrus with the pomegranate seeds. Nice to have some healthy holiday recipes.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Mary!
Ed
Yyyaaayyy! I’ve been in search for a salad to have with the Christmas feast. It looks like I’ve found it. Such a grogeous salad!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ed! Enjoy!
Elise
I love this salad. It has a delicious array of flavors that complement each other well. This one is a must try.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Elise!
Luna S
This sounds and looks so delicious! I love salads that have fresh ingredients in them and a pop of color.
Ben
I think this salad covers every flavor and color that I’ve ever associated with the holidays. I love the combination of greens, nuts, and citrus in this. It’s so pretty, too.