Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
This vibrant Christmas Salad features baby spinach or mixed greens combined with fresh pomegranate seeds, cranberries, crisp apple slices, and candied nuts, all tossed in a tangy and sweet honey mustard dressing. It’s a refreshing, colorful side salad perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion.
- 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
- 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
- Wash and Dry the Greens: Start by thoroughly washing the baby spinach or mixed greens. Dry them gently using a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for a crisp salad.
- Slice the Apple: Core the apple and slice it thinly. Leaving the skin on is optional and adds color and extra nutrients.
- Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: If using fresh pomegranate, carefully extract the seeds. For fresh cranberries, either use them whole or slice them in half to soften the flavor.
- Toast the Nuts (Optional): To enhance their flavor, toast the candied pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool 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. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion if using. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss carefully to coat all components evenly without overdressing.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a bright, refreshing side dish or starter, perfect for holiday meals.
Notes
- Toasting the nuts is optional but adds a deeper flavor and crunch.
- Use dried cranberries if fresh ones are not available, but fresh will provide a more subtle tartness.
- Feta cheese and red onion are optional toppings; omit them for a dairy-free or milder flavor.
- The dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To keep apples from browning, toss them in a little lemon juice before adding to the salad.
Keywords: Christmas salad, honey mustard dressing, spinach salad, pomegranate salad, holiday salad, healthy salad, festive salad
