Festive Christmas Salad
A colorful holiday salad with crisp greens, sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, creamy cheese, and a light honey-lemon dressing. It looks Christmas-pretty (red, green, white) and tastes fresh and balanced—great alongside roast chicken, turkey, or fish.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves:4–6
Ingredients
Salad
4 cups mixed greens (romaine + spinach or arugula)
½ cup pomegranate seeds
½ cup orange segments or sliced apples/pears
¼ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
½ cup feta cheese or mozzarella pearls
Optional: thin cucumber or avocado slices
Honey-Lemon Dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp Dijon mustard
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Greens
Wash and dry the greens well. Add to a large bowl.
Add Festive Toppings
Scatter pomegranate, fruit, cranberries, nuts, and cheese over the greens.
Make the Dressing
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Dress & Serve
Drizzle lightly just before serving and toss gently.
Tips
For extra elegance, arrange on a platter in a wreath shape.
Swap feta with goat cheese for creaminess.
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a main dish.
Make ahead: prep all ingredients; add dressing at the last minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegan?
Yes—skip cheese or use a plant-based feta.
Q: What fruit works best?
Oranges, pears, apples, or grapes all work beautifully.
Q: How long does it stay fresh?
Undressed salad keeps 1 day refrigerated; dressed is best eaten immediately.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 180
Carbs: 16g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 3g