This vibrant Christmas Salad brings together the perfect blend of fresh greens, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy balsamic glaze. It’s a beautiful and light dish that adds a burst of color and flavor to any holiday spread. Whether served as a refreshing appetizer or paired with your festive main course, this salad is sure to impress guests and elevate your seasonal meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I absolutely love this Christmas Salad for its balance of flavors and textures. The fresh greens provide a crisp base, while the dried cranberries offer a delightful sweetness that complements the tartness of the apple slices. Toasted pecans bring in a crunchy, nutty flavor, and the goat cheese adds a creamy richness. Topping it all off with a tangy balsamic glaze gives the salad an extra layer of flavor that ties everything together. It’s a light, yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for the holiday season, and it takes only 10 minutes to prepare!
Ingredients
4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala works best)
1/4 cup balsamic glaze or vinaigrette
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and red onion.
Add Apple Slices: Arrange the thin apple slices on top of the salad for a colorful and sweet contrast.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze (or vinaigrette), honey (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, then toss gently to combine all ingredients.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy this festive salad as a light appetizer or refreshing side dish for your holiday meal.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Variations
Add Protein: If I want to make the salad more filling, I like adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even roasted turkey. This turns it into a complete meal.
Swap Greens: While I use a mixed green blend, feel free to swap with your favorite greens like kale, baby spinach, or even romaine for a different flavor base.
Nut Alternatives: If I don’t have pecans, I love using walnuts or almonds for a similar crunchy texture.
Cheese Swap: Goat cheese is delicious, but if I want something milder, feta cheese or blue cheese could be great substitutes.
Storage/Reheating
This Christmas Salad is best served fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store the salad ingredients (without the dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. When you’re ready to serve, toss the salad with freshly made dressing. I don’t recommend storing the dressed salad, as the greens can wilt and become soggy.
Related Recipes:
- The Best Chicken Salad You’ll Ever Make
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are much more tart than dried, so they wouldn’t provide the same sweetness. If I want to use fresh cranberries, I suggest mixing them with a little sugar or honey to balance out the flavor.
How do I toast pecans?
To toast pecans, I heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the pecans, and stir them frequently for about 5 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly browned. It’s a quick and easy way to bring out their natural flavors.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
I recommend preparing the salad components in advance, but avoid tossing it with the dressing until just before serving. The greens can get soggy if dressed too early, but everything else can be prepped and stored separately for convenience.
What’s the best apple variety to use for this salad?
I personally prefer using Honeycrisp or Gala apples. Both are sweet, crunchy, and hold up well when sliced, adding a nice texture and flavor to the salad. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties like Fuji or Pink Lady if you prefer.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! To make this salad vegan, simply omit the goat cheese and honey, and use a vegan-friendly balsamic vinaigrette or dressing. There are plenty of plant-based cheese alternatives that would work as well.
Conclusion
This Christmas Salad is a stunning addition to any holiday meal. It’s quick, easy to prepare, and full of vibrant, festive flavors. I love how the combination of sweet, tangy, and savory ingredients comes together so beautifully. Whether served as a side dish or a light appetizer, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. I know I’ll be making it often during the holiday season!
📖 Recipe:
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Christmas Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas Salad is a colorful and festive side dish perfect for the holiday season. It combines fresh mixed greens, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and tangy balsamic glaze, making it a delightful addition to your Christmas meal. Easy to prepare in just 10 minutes, this salad is the ideal way to add a burst of flavor and texture to your holiday spread.
Ingredients
4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala works best)
1/4 cup balsamic glaze or vinaigrette
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and red onion.
- Add Apple Slices: Arrange the thin apple slices on top of the salad for a colorful and sweet contrast.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze (or vinaigrette), honey (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, then toss gently to combine all ingredients.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy this festive salad as a light appetizer or refreshing side dish for your holiday meal.
Notes
Add Protein: For a more filling meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted turkey.
Swap Greens: Feel free to use kale, baby spinach, or romaine instead of mixed greens.
Nut Alternatives: Use walnuts or almonds if you don’t have pecans on hand.
Cheese Substitutes: Feta cheese or blue cheese can replace goat cheese for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: No-cook, Toss
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 180 kcal
