Jolly Festive Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Twinkling lights and festive decorations set the stage for a delightful honey mustard Christmas salad that brings vibrant colors to your holiday table.

Crisp greens mingle with jewel-toned fruits and crunchy nuts, creating a refreshing counterpoint to rich seasonal dishes.

Winter’s bounty shines through each carefully selected ingredient, promising a burst of flavor in every bite.

The dressing drizzled over this salad adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the fresh vegetables.

Bright pomegranate seeds and toasted almonds provide delightful texture and visual appeal.

This easy-to-prepare dish transforms simple ingredients into a stunning side that will impress your guests.

Serve this festive salad and watch as it becomes the unexpected star of your holiday meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Christmas Salad Ingredient List

• Olive Oil: Silky base that helps blend and smooth out the tangy flavors, choose cold-pressed for richer taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds sharp, bold kick and helps emulsify the dressing, select smooth and high-quality French-style mustard.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and balances the mustard's heat, opt for local raw honey for deeper flavor.
• Vinegar: Brings bright acidity to enhance overall dressing complexity, white wine vinegar works best for delicate profile.
• Salt: Elevates and harmonizes all dressing flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and aromatic depth, freshly ground gives most vibrant taste.

• Mixed Greens: Creates fresh, crisp foundation, choose tender winter varieties like baby spinach and arugula.
• Pomegranate Seeds: Adds jewel-like bursts of tartness and festive color, select plump and deeply red seeds.
• Orange Segments: Introduces sweet citrus notes and juicy texture, pick seedless varieties for easier preparation.
• Dried Cranberries: Provides chewy sweetness and holiday flair, look for unsweetened options.

• Candied Pecans: Delivers crunchy, caramelized element, homemade versions offer superior flavor.
• Feta Cheese, Goat Cheese: Contributes creamy, tangy richness, select locally produced artisan varieties.

What You’ll Need for This Colorful Holiday Salad

• Whisk: Small, handheld tool perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Salad Bowl: Large mixing bowl for combining and tossing salad ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Flat surface for preparing orange segments and other ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for segmenting oranges and chopping ingredients precisely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring dressing ingredients like honey and vinegar.

Assemble a Festive Salad With Honey Mustard Drizzle

• Whip Up the Dressing

Grab a small bowl and blend olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, salt, and black pepper until silky smooth. Give it a quick taste and adjust the flavors to make it sing.

• Create Your Festive Salad Base

Spread lush mixed greens in a large bowl like a vibrant green canvas. Sprinkle jewel-like pomegranate seeds, bright orange segments, ruby-red dried cranberries, crunchy candied pecans, and crumble tangy cheese over the greens.

• Dress and Toss with Flair

Moments before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing generously across the salad. Gently fold the ingredients together or let guests dress their own portions for a personalized touch.

• Serve and Celebrate

Present this gorgeous seasonal salad immediately, bringing a burst of color and freshness to your holiday feast. Watch as your guests dive into this delightful dish that screams Christmas cheer.

Tips for Balancing Sweet, Tangy, and Crunchy

• Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped mint or parsley for extra brightness and aroma.
• Prepare the dressing and chop ingredients separately up to a day in advance, keeping components refrigerated and combining just before serving to maintain crisp textures.
• Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu for a protein-packed holiday dish.
• Replace feta with dairy-free cheese alternatives or roasted chickpeas for a plant-based version that doesn't compromise on taste and texture.
• Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking candied pecans and dressing components for potential gluten-containing additives.

Serve in a Big Bowl or Small Plates

• Festive Feast Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or herb-crusted chicken for a complete holiday meal.
• Appetizer Showstopper: Serve small portions in elegant glasses or mini bowls as a stunning starter that wows guests before the main course.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the salad's sweet and tangy flavors with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio that enhances the dish's bright notes.
• Leftover: Transform remaining salad ingredients into a next-day lunch by adding grilled chicken or salmon for a refreshing post-holiday meal.

Store Dressing and Greens Separately

• Keep the honey mustard dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
• Chop fresh ingredients like oranges and pomegranate seeds just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy textures.
• Prepare candied pecans and wash greens 1-2 days in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline holiday meal preparation.
• If any salad remains, store components separately to prevent wilting – keep dressed greens, nuts, and cheese apart until ready to enjoy again, ensuring crisp and fresh taste when reheated.

FAQs

• What makes the honey mustard dressing unique?

The dressing combines tangy Dijon mustard with sweet honey, creating a balanced flavor that complements the salad’s festive ingredients. The whisking technique ensures a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats the greens perfectly.

• Can I prepare the dressing in advance?

Yes, you can make the honey mustard dressing up to 2-3 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a quick whisk before using to recombine the ingredients.

• Are there any health benefits to this Christmas salad?

The salad is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, and pecans. Pomegranate seeds are high in antioxidants, while pecans provide healthy fats and protein, making this a nutritious holiday dish.

• How can I make the salad more protein-rich?

Add grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or smoked salmon to transform this side salad into a complete meal. The honey mustard dressing pairs wonderfully with various protein options.

Festive Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing invites festive flavors to dance across your plate. Crisp greens, roasted pecans, and cranberries create a seasonal melody that delights winter palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
• ½ cup (120 ml) orange segments (from 1–2 oranges)
• ½ cup (75 g) pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ¼ cup (30 g) candied pecans or walnuts
• ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled feta or goat cheese
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until a smooth, well-integrated emulsion develops. Adjust seasoning to achieve a harmonious flavor balance.
2. Salad Assembly: Create a vibrant base using mixed greens, spreading them evenly across a wide serving platter to form a lush, verdant foundation.
3. Ingredient Distribution: Generously layer pomegranate seeds, orange segments, dried cranberries, caramelized candied pecans, and crumbled feta or goat cheese atop the greens, creating a colorful and textural mosaic.
4. Final Touches: Drizzle honey mustard dressing just before serving, or present it alongside the salad to allow guests to customize their portion. Gently toss with culinary tongs to ensure a light, even coating of ingredients.
5. Presentation: Swiftly transfer the festive salad to the dining table, showcasing a refreshing and elegant dish that embodies the joyous Christmas spirit.

Notes

• Balance Dressing Carefully: Adjust honey, mustard, and vinegar ratios to create a harmonious flavor without overpowering the delicate salad ingredients.
• Maximize Freshness: Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting of greens.
• Customize Cheese Options: Swap feta or goat cheese with plant-based alternatives for vegan guests, ensuring dietary inclusivity without compromising taste.
• Toasting Pecans Technique: Lightly toast candied pecans to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, crunchy texture in the salad.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg