Festive Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Crisp winter days call for a vibrant christmas salad that bursts with unexpected flavors and colors.

My grandmother’s secret recipe inspired this delightful twist on traditional holiday fare.

Leafy greens dance with crunchy nuts and sweet pomegranate seeds, creating a festive masterpiece.

Each bite promises a delicate balance of tangy and rich elements that surprise your palate.

Bright red and green ingredients make this dish a visual celebration of seasonal cheer.

Delicate honey mustard dressing ties everything together with its subtle warmth and complexity.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet elegant salad that brings joy to any holiday table.

Why People Can’t Stop Talking About Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard

• A festive salad that transforms your Christmas table with minimal effort.
• Combines sweet pomegranate seeds, tangy orange segments, and creamy cheese for a taste adventure that delights every palate.
• Whips up in less than 15 minutes, perfect for busy hosts who want maximum impact with minimal cooking stress.
• Adaptable for vegetarians, can be customized with different cheeses or nuts, making it a flexible side dish for diverse dietary needs.

All the Fresh Ingredients for Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard

• Mixed Greens: Crisp and fresh foundation of the salad, provides a variety of textures and colors.

• Pomegranate Seeds, Dried Cranberries, Orange Segments: Bright, sweet, and tangy fruits that add festive color and winter flavor.
• Candied Pecans: Crunchy and sweet nuts that bring holiday warmth and texture to the salad.

• Feta Cheese, Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that adds richness and depth to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend and carry other dressing flavors.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp and zesty condiment that provides a bold flavor profile.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the mustard's sharpness.
• Vinegar: Adds brightness and helps emulsify the dressing.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that round out the overall taste of the salad and dressing.

How to Put Together Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard

Step 1: Whip Up the Tangy Dressing

• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and fully blended. Give it a quick taste and adjust the seasonings to match your flavor preferences.

Step 2: Build a Colorful Salad Base

Select a large serving bowl and spread out a bed of fresh mixed greens.

• Sparkling pomegranate seeds
• Juicy orange segments
• Sweet dried cranberries
• Crunchy candied pecans
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)

Step 3: Dress and Toss

Right before serving, drizzle the prepared honey mustard dressing over the salad.

Gently toss the ingredients to ensure every bite is coated with the delicious dressing. Alternatively, serve the dressing on the side so guests can add their desired amount.

Step 4: Present and Enjoy

Bring this stunning salad to the table immediately, ready to dazzle your holiday guests with its festive colors and incredible flavors.

Smart Ideas for Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Perfection

• Customize Dressing Intensity: Adjust honey and mustard ratios to create a lighter or bolder flavor profile based on personal preference.
• Make Ahead Smartly: Prepare dressing and chop ingredients separately up to a day in advance, keeping components refrigerated to maintain freshness.
• Swap Cheese Options: Replace feta with blue cheese for a tangier taste or omit cheese entirely for a vegan-friendly version.
• Toast Pecans Perfectly: Lightly toast candied pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch.
• Boost Protein Potential: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this salad into a complete main course meal.

Keeping Christmas Salad Fresh in the Fridge

• Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep the cheese and candied pecans in separate containers to maintain their texture.
• Prevent soggy greens by storing dressing and salad ingredients separately until ready to serve.
• Bring refrigerated salad to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Gently toss ingredients and add fresh dressing to refresh flavors.
• Do not freeze this salad, as mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, and fresh fruits will lose their crisp texture and become mushy.

Drinks and Sides for Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard

• Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the salad's sweet and tangy flavors, cutting through the richness of the candied pecans and cheese.
• Enhance the festive mood by serving a light, bubbly Prosecco that balances the honey mustard dressing and adds a celebratory touch to the Christmas table.
• Offer a crusty artisan bread or toasted baguette slices to provide a crunchy contrast to the salad's soft greens and to help soak up the delicious dressing.
• Finish the meal with a warm chamomile or mint tea that cleanses the palate and provides a soothing end to the Christmas dining experience.

Unique Twists on Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard

• Vegan Festive Salad: Replace feta with roasted tofu crumbles and use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Mix: Swap candied pecans with raw, unsalted almonds to ensure no gluten-containing ingredients are used.
• Low-Carb Christmas Salad: Eliminate dried cranberries and replace with diced red bell peppers for fewer carbohydrates while maintaining festive colors.
• Nut-Free Winter Greens: Substitute pecans with roasted sunflower seeds and keep all other ingredients the same for an allergy-friendly option.

Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Holiday tables light up with Festive Christmas Salad, a colorful medley of crisp greens, pomegranate seeds, and toasted walnuts. Silky honey mustard dressing drizzled over the salad creates a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

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Salad Components:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
• ½ cup (75 grams) pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) orange segments (from 1–2 oranges)
• ½ cup (75 grams) dried cranberries
• ¼ cup (30 grams) candied pecans or walnuts
• ¼ cup (30 grams) crumbled feta or goat cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

Seasoning:

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a petite mixing vessel until a silky, harmonious emulsion forms. Taste and refine seasoning as needed for a balanced dressing profile.
2. Select a spacious salad receptacle and create a lush foundation of mixed greens, spreading them evenly across the base.
3. Artfully scatter vibrant pomegranate jewels, tangy orange segments, ruby-hued dried cranberries, caramelized candied pecans, and crumbled feta or goat cheese atop the verdant green canvas.
4. Moments before presenting the culinary creation, delicately cascade the honey mustard dressing across the salad landscape.
5. Gently manipulate the ingredients with culinary tongs, ensuring each element receives a subtle coating of dressing, or alternatively, offer the dressing separately to allow individual customization.
6. Immediately transport the festive salad to the dining table, presenting a refreshing and elegant accompaniment that captures the jubilant spirit of the Christmas feast.

Notes

• Customize dressing sweetness by adjusting honey quantity for balanced flavor complexity.
• Prepare candied pecans ahead of time to enhance meal preparation efficiency and reduce last-minute stress.
• Swap feta with vegan cheese alternatives to accommodate dairy-free dietary preferences without compromising taste profile.
• Toast pecans briefly before candying to amplify nutty undertones and create deeper, more robust flavor dimensions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg