Why Make This Recipe
Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a festive dish perfect for the holiday season. It combines vibrant colors and fresh flavors, making it a great addition to any holiday table. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with healthy ingredients, giving you a light and refreshing choice amid heavier holiday meals. Plus, it’s easy to make and visually appealing, impressing your guests while keeping things simple.
How to Make Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients:
- 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)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach or mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, sliced apple, and nuts. If you’re using feta cheese and red onion, add them in as well.
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Make the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Assemble the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated. Serve immediately!
How to Serve Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Serve this Christmas salad as a side dish at holiday dinners or as a light meal on its own. It pairs well with roasted meats, soups, or as part of a festive buffet. For an elegant touch, consider serving it in individual bowls or on a large platter for sharing.
How to Store Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day, but it’s best when fresh. The dressing can last for about a week in the fridge. Just remember to give the dressing a good shake or whisk before using it again.
Tips to Make Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
- To keep your salad fresh and crisp, add the dressing just before serving.
- If you want to make it ahead of time, you can prep all the ingredients and store them separately until you’re ready to serve.
- Experiment with different nuts or fruits based on your preferences or what’s in season.
Variation
You can add cooked chicken or turkey for a heartier version of this salad. Additionally, swap out the nuts for sunflower seeds or omit the cheese for a dairy-free option.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries, but thaw them first and pat them dry to avoid extra moisture in the salad.
2. Can I make this salad gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients listed are gluten-free, but always check labels, especially on items like Dijon mustard.
3. How can I make the dressing sweeter?
Feel free to add more honey according to your taste preferences if you like a sweeter dressing.
Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive salad featuring vibrant colors and fresh flavors, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 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)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach or mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, sliced apple, and nuts. If you’re using feta cheese and red onion, add them in as well.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated. Serve immediately!
Notes
Add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp. Prepare ingredients ahead of time and store separately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg