Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
A festive and refreshing Christmas Salad featuring a vibrant mix of baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, apples, cranberries, and candied nuts, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing. This colorful salad makes a perfect seasonal side dish or starter for holiday gatherings.
- 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 a 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
- Prepare the Salad: Wash the baby spinach or mixed greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a salad spinner or gently pat dry with a paper towel to eliminate excess moisture.
- Slice the Apple: Core and thinly slice the apple, leaving the skin on if desired to add color and nutrients to the salad.
- Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: Remove fresh pomegranate seeds carefully from the fruit. For cranberries, either use them whole or slice in half to mellow their flavor if using fresh berries.
- Toast the Nuts (Optional): In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the candied pecans or walnuts for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Allow them to cool completely 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 the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the dried greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese, and sliced red onion if using. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss again lightly until all ingredients are evenly coated. Add dressing gradually to avoid overdressing.
- Serve Immediately: Present the salad as a colorful and refreshing side dish or starter perfect for holiday meals.
Notes
- To toast nuts, watch carefully to prevent burning and achieve the best flavor.
- Feta cheese and red onion are optional and can be omitted to suit dietary preferences.
- Dried cranberries can be substituted if fresh are not available but may add extra sweetness.
- For a vegan version, omit the honey or substitute with maple syrup and skip the feta cheese.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain crispness and vibrant colors.
Keywords: Christmas salad, honey mustard dressing, holiday salad, pomegranate salad, apple salad, festive salad
