Description

This festive Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing combines fresh baby spinach or mixed greens with vibrant pomegranate seeds, tart cranberries, crisp apple slices, candied nuts, and optional creamy feta. Tossed in a tangy and sweet honey mustard dressing, this salad is perfect as a refreshing, colorful side dish or starter during the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad 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)

Honey Mustard Dressing

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash and Dry the Greens: Thoroughly wash the baby spinach or mixed greens under cold water. Dry them gently using a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, ensuring a crisp base for the salad.
Slice the Apple: Core the apple and thinly slice it into even pieces. Leaving the skin on is recommended for added color and nutrients.
Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: If using fresh pomegranate, carefully remove the seeds. For fresh cranberries, either leave them whole for a stronger flavor or slice them in half for a milder taste.
Toast the Nuts (Optional): Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the candied pecans or walnuts for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Allow them to cool before adding to the salad.
Make the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese (if using), and sliced red onion (if using). Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad a little at a time, tossing gently after each addition to coat the ingredients evenly without overdressing.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a refreshing and colorful side dish or starter at your holiday meal.

Notes

Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor but can be skipped if preferred.
Feta cheese and red onion are optional additions that add creaminess and a mild bite respectively.
You can substitute dried cranberries if fresh are unavailable, though fresh will provide a more vibrant taste and texture.
Adjust the dressing ingredients to balance sweetness and tanginess according to your preference.
This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the greens and apple slices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting nuts)
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas Salad, Honey Mustard Dressing, Holiday Salad, Festive Salad, Pomegranate Salad, Spinach Salad