Best Christmas Salad
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This festive Christmas salad is a burst of bright flavors, combining sweet, tangy, and savory elements. The combination of candied pecans, fresh oranges, and creamy gorgonzola makes it the perfect holiday side dish. Best of all, it comes together in just 10 minutes.
Pair this salad with other Christmas favorites, like my showstopping baked lobster tails and Grandma’s easy cheesy potatoes, for a memorable meal.
Quick Look: Christmas Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 6-8 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten Free; can be Vegetarian or Vegan if made with substitutions.
- Method: No cooking required! Simply toss the greens and toppings with the dressing and serve.
- Technique: You’ll learn how to toss a salad, make a vinaigrette, and dress a salad.
- Flavor & Texture: This Christmas salad has a bright flavor from the oranges with tang from the dressing, pomegranate seeds, and dried fruit. The textures of the crunchy nuts and creamy cheese contrast beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Salad captures the essence of the holiday season with its bold colors and seasonal ingredients. The bright pomegranate, juicy citrus, and candied pecans bring together the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy.
It’s a refreshing and festive side dish, lightening up any holiday spread while still offering a touch of elegance. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or a holiday party, its fresh flavors and stunning presentation make it a perfect fit for your Christmas table.
I hope you love this salad as much as my family does! You’ll also love my shrimp salad, pear gorgonzola salad, and fall harvest salad during the winter months.
Made With Amore,
“Officially my favorite new salad! So full of flavor!!! Thank you!”
– Kalenn
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You’ll love this simple salad recipe as a beautiful addition to your Christmas dinner table. Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make it.
- Mixed Greens: Use a combination of your favorite salad greens like spinach, romaine, or baby lettuce. I also like to add some frisée for a hint of bitterness and a great texture. Arugula is also lovely if you like a peppery taste.
- Oranges: Fresh orange segments bring a burst of juicy sweetness and bright color to the salad, perfectly complementing the other flavors.
- Candied Pecans: Sweet, crunchy pecans add texture and a delightful caramelized flavor, balancing the salad’s tangy and creamy elements. Make my recipe or buy store-bought candied pecans.
- Gorgonzola Cheese: Creamy, tangy gorgonzola cheese adds richness to the salad that beautifully complements the other ingredients.
- Homemade Honey Mustard Vinaigrette: A simple combination of oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, orange zest and juice, salt, and pepper makes an easy dressing that has just the right amount of tang and sweetness.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Other Cheese Options: Substitute the gorgonzola with blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese for a milder or more crumbly texture. (If you love goat cheese on salads, you won’t want to miss my berry goat cheese salad!)
- Other Dressing Options: Any sweet, tangy vinaigrette tastes great on this salad. Try my lemon basil vinaigrette, authentic balsamic dressing, or my orange vinaigrette dressing for lots of tasty options!
- Vegetarian Version: Gorgonzola isn’t vegetarian, so swap it out for a vegetarian cheese and you’ll be good to go.
- Vegan Version: Use your favorite vegan cheese and use agave nectar instead of honey in the dressing.
How to Make Christmas Salad
This gorgeous holiday salad is easy to make. For more instructions, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk until they’re smooth and combined.
- Gently toss the greens to combine, then add the toppings and drizzle with the dressing.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Be careful not to crush the pomegranate seeds or the orange slices.
- Serve your beautiful salad! Its delightful mix of textures and flavors make it a perfect side dish for your holiday feast. Serve with oven roasted pork tenderloin, fresh cranberry relish, and homemade dinner rolls for a lovely feast.
Best Christmas Salad FAQs
This salad is beautifully arranged with vibrant colors and textures, making it an eye-catching centerpiece for any Christmas gathering. I love the seasonal fruit (pomegranates and citrus) that’s the star of the show in this salad.
But what really makes this salad special is the delicious balance of flavors and textures. The sweet candied pecans, juicy oranges, tart pomegranate, and creamy gorgonzola create a perfect harmony of flavors.
It’s a fresh and light option that complements rich main courses, plus it’s beautiful and is sure to be enjoyed at any Christmas table.
Any dressing that has a good balance of sweet and tangy pairs perfectly with this salad. I recommend making the honey mustard vinaigrette that I include in this recipe, but you can also try my Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing for another great option.
Yes, you can prep this salad in advance! Prep the salad components (greens, fruit, nuts, cheese) and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Make the vinaigrette ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving.
To store leftovers, keep undressed salad ingredients in separate containers. Once dressed, consume within 24 hours. The greens may wilt, but the flavors will still be good. Candied pecans can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.
Serving Suggestions
This Christmas salad is the perfect addition to your Christmas menu! If you’re looking for ideas, my family loves my small prime rib roast or fresh ham roast for the main course. I love serving steakhouse creamed spinach and Longhorn Steakhouse crispy Brussels sprouts on the side. Get my 40+ best Christmas dinner ideas for more inspiration!
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality greens. Choose a mix of crisp and fresh greens. Avoid wilted leaves; if necessary, rinse and dry them thoroughly to remove any excess moisture.
- Segment the oranges properly. Remove the pith and membrane from the orange segments for a clean and elegant presentation. This will make the oranges sweeter and more enjoyable to eat.
- Balance sweet and tangy flavors. The combination of candied pecans, pomegranate arils, and dried cherries (or cranberries) ensures a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Don’t be afraid to adjust the fruit quantities based on your taste.
More Christmas Recipes You’ll Love
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Christmas Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens, I like to use a winter mix with radicchio
- 2 cups frisée (curly endive), or substitute with arugula for a peppery kick
- 1-2 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
- 2 cups candied pecans
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- 1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
- 1 cup crumbled gorgonzola, or blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese
For the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the mixed greens and frisée (or arugula) in a large serving bowl. Toss lightly to distribute the greens evenly.
- Top the greens with orange segments, pomegranate arils, and dried cherries or cranberries. Sprinkle the crumbled gorgonzola and candied pecans on the top.
- To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Just before serving, drizzle the honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to coat the ingredients in the dressing without crushing them.
- Serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful, and beautiful Christmas salad!
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality greens. Choose a mix of crisp and fresh greens. Avoid wilted leaves; if necessary, rinse and dry them thoroughly to remove any excess moisture.
- Segment the oranges properly. Remove the pith and membrane from the orange segments for a clean and elegant presentation. This will make the oranges sweeter and more enjoyable to eat.
- Balance sweet and tangy flavors. The combination of candied pecans, pomegranate arils, and dried cherries (or cranberries) ensures a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Don’t be afraid to adjust the fruit quantities based on your taste.
- Serve with Christmas dinner favorites like my Brie bites appetizer, standing rib roast, creamy Brussels sprouts, and a slice of Pandoro (Italian Christmas cake).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
great salad for Christmas! I used a red and green leaf lettuce and butter lettuce mix with romaine for some crunch. I also used goat cheese in place of the blue cheese. I already had Cara Cara oranges on hand so I use those. The salad dressing was delicious!
Yumm! I used CaraCara oranges the last time I made it as well. So happy you love this recipe!