Christmas Salad Recipe

This Christmas Salad is my favorite side salad to serve during the holidays. It’s made with mixed greens, maple candied pecans, sliced apple, green onions, dried cranberries, juicy pomegranate, and tangy goat cheese. All tossed together in a homemade cinnamon and white balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s fresh, bright, and easy to make with seasonal ingredients.

The holidays are usually filled with heavier entrees and cozy meals. That’s why I like to make this healthy green salad to serve on the side as a lighter option, especially when you want some fresh veggies. It’s a crowd-pleasing salad that always disappears at mealtimes.

This salad is easy to customize based on whatever greens you have on hand. It can also be made dairy-free by using sliced avocado instead of goat cheese. Or you can use crumbled feta cheese instead of goat cheese if you prefer.

Christmas Holiday Salad Ingredients

Maple candied pecans: My maple candied pecans are easy to make on the stove top with raw pecans and pure maple syrup.

Mixed greens: I use a variety of mixed greens to make this salad. My favorites are spring mix, field greens, arugula, or baby spinach.

Apple: I like using Gala or Honeycrisp apple to make this salad. If you prefer something more tart, you can use a Granny Smith apple. Ripe pears would also be nice in this salad.

Dried cranberries: I love adding dried cranberries to this salad because they pair nicely with the apple and goat cheese. 

Pomegranate: This adds a sweet, tart, and tangy taste to the salad. Plus, I love the bright color of pomegranate arils.

Goat cheese: Goat cheese is creamy and tangy, which pairs perfectly in this salad. You can use feta cheese, shaved parmesan, or sliced avocado if you prefer.

Cinnamon white balsamic dressing: My homemade salad dressing is made with extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, pure maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

I love using white balsamic vinegar because it has a mild and slightly fruit taste. It’s ideal for this bright and light salad.

If you don’t have white balsamic vinegar, you can substitute with regular balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

How to make this Christmas Holiday Salad

Make the candied pecans. Add the pecans and maple syrup to a medium skillet over medium heat.

Stir continuously until the nuts are well coated and there is no more liquid left in the skillet (approximately 4 to 5 minutes). The nuts will smell toasty.

Immediately remove from the heat and spread the nuts evenly on parchment paper. Let cool completely. Once cooled, you can roughly chop the pecans if desired.

Make the salad dressing. In a jar with a fitted lid, at the extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, maple syrup (or honey if using), Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper.

Seal the lid and give the jar a good shake until the salad dressing has emulsified. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Don’t have a jar? Add all the salad dressing ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.

Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, add the mixed greens, sliced apple, green onions, dried cranberries, pomegranate arils, and drizzle the prepared salad dressing over everything. Gently toss the salad together until combined.

Sprinkle the candied pecans and crumbled goat cheese on top. Serve immediately.

What to serve with this Christmas Holiday Salad

Traditional holiday mains: Turkey, ham, prime rib, plant-based lentil loaf, or lentil Sheperd’s pie.

Holiday side dishes: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, or mac and cheese.

Other main dishes: Lasagna, Cherry tomato pasta, roast chicken, stuffed squash, beef wellington, or baked salmon.

Other fresh salads to serve during the holiday season:

• Winter kale power salad
• Kale apple salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Arugula lemon salad with homemade croutons
• Blueberry arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette
• Fresh garden salad with honey mustard dressing
• Italian chopped salad

Please let me know how you like this Christmas Salad recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love this holiday salad as much as I do.

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