Description
This Christmas Salad is a vibrant and festive dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a mix of fresh greens, sweet citrus segments, tart pomegranate arils, crunchy candied nuts, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy honey mustard dressing, it combines a delightful balance of flavors and textures that celebrate the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens, packed (spring mix preferred)
- 1 cup mandarin or clementine orange segments (about 3–4 oranges)
- 1 cup pomegranate arils or ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2/3 cup glazed or candied nuts (candied pecans or candied walnuts suggested)
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1 batch Honey Mustard Dressing, or 8–10 tablespoons store-bought honey mustard dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens evenly as the foundational layer for your salad. Gently fluff the greens for an airy, fresh base.
- Add Citrus and Fruit: Peel and segment 3 to 4 mandarins or clementines, removing any seeds, then evenly distribute the citrus segments over the greens. Sprinkle 1 cup of fresh pomegranate arils or alternatively ½ cup dried cranberries to add a burst of sweet and tart flavor.
- Incorporate Nuts and Cheese: Add 2/3 cup of glazed or candied nuts like pecans or walnuts to give a sweet crunch. Then crumble ½ cup of feta cheese evenly over the salad to add a creamy, salty dimension.
- Toss with Dressing: Drizzle 1 batch of homemade honey mustard dressing or 8 to 10 tablespoons of your favorite store-bought honey mustard dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the greens.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad fresh to maintain the crispness of the greens, the juiciness of the fruit, and the crunch of the nuts, making a perfect festive starter or side dish.
Notes
- For an extra festive touch, add pomegranate seeds as garnish.
- Use fresh pomegranate arils when in season for the best flavor and texture.
- Honey mustard dressing can be made at home using equal parts honey and mustard, plus olive oil and lemon juice for balance.
- Can be adapted to be vegetarian by ensuring the dressing contains no animal products.
- Serve immediately after dressing to avoid soggy greens.
Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, honey mustard dressing, festive salad, citrus salad, pomegranate salad, candied nuts, feta cheese