Bright, beautiful, and bursting with festive flavors, this Holiday Green Salad is my go-to for every special gathering. Whether it’s a centerpiece for your holiday table or a vibrant side dish at a cozy family meal, it combines crisp greens, jeweled pomegranate arils, crunchy candied pecans, juicy pear slices, and tangy cheese in an irresistibly colorful bowl. With a quick whisk of a sweet-tart dressing, this salad delivers amazing texture and flavor with barely 10 minutes of effort. If you’re searching for a dish that looks spectacular yet feels refreshingly light among heavier holiday fare, Holiday Green Salad is the answer!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Holiday Green Salad is in its simple, top-quality ingredients. Each element adds a layer of flavor, texture, or festive color, making every bite a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crisp. Here’s what you’ll need to make this showstopper shine:
- Mixed greens: A combination of baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix offers freshness and a lovely green base.
- Pomegranate arils: These ruby-red gems add a juicy burst of tartness and visual sparkle.
- Pear or apple: Thinly sliced for crunch and a hint of sweetness to balance the salad.
- Candied pecans or walnuts: Sweet, crunchy nuts bring extra flavor and a festive touch.
- Goat cheese or feta cheese: Crumbled for creamy, tangy richness that ties everything together.
- Red onion: Thin slices provide a pop of color and sharpness that brighten up each mouthful.
- Olive oil: The base of the dressing, delivers richness and silkiness.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds lively acidity for balance and depth.
- Maple syrup or honey: Brings a gentle sweetness to round out the flavors.
- Dijon mustard: Offers subtle heat and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple but essential for seasoning and enhancing every ingredient.
How to Make Holiday Green Salad
Step 1: Make the Festive Dressing
In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake briskly until the dressing is silky and everything is well combined. This magical combination is sweet, tangy, and just bold enough to liven up all those greens.
Step 2: Build the Salad Base
Grab your biggest salad bowl and toss in the mixed greens. This is your canvas, so fluff the leaves gently with your hands to give them a bit of volume and air. The greens are what anchor the salad, providing freshness and plenty of crunch for every forkful.
Step 3: Add Fruit and Crunch
Scatter the pomegranate arils all over the greens—they’ll look like little jewels sparkling in the bowl. Fan out the sliced pear or apple throughout the salad for both flavor and a bit of artful presentation. Sprinkle on the candied pecans or walnuts, tucking them amid the greens for sweet, buttery crunch.
Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Onion
Add the crumbled goat cheese or feta, letting small clusters land evenly across the salad so every bite gets some creamy tang. Layer in the delicate slices of red onion here and there for color and a gentle, zippy bite that ties everything together.
Step 5: Dress and Toss
Right before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs (or clean hands!) to toss everything gently, just until coated. This ensures the flavors meld beautifully but the salad still looks inviting and vibrant when you serve it up.
How to Serve Holiday Green Salad
Garnishes
A final flourish makes this Holiday Green Salad feel absolutely party-ready. Try a shower of extra pomegranate arils or a few more candied pecans on top for a beautiful finish. Tiny mint leaves or microgreens can add an elegant, fresh pop if you want to get a little fancy.
Side Dishes
This festive salad pairs perfectly with nearly any holiday main course—think roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or a juicy prime rib. It’s even terrific next to vegetarian mains like stuffed squash or lentil loaf. Add a warm loaf of crusty bread, and you’ve got a meal everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Holiday Green Salad on a big white platter to let all the colors sing, or assemble it in individual glass bowls for a restaurant-worthy starter. For an extra wow factor at the table, mound the salad in a wide, shallow bowl and let the toppings cascade along the surface—no one can resist piling their plate high!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Holiday Green Salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that once dressed, the greens will wilt after a few hours, but the flavors blend beautifully together even as the salad softens.
Freezing
This isn’t a salad that loves the freezer—fresh fruits, cheeses, and leafy greens tend to lose their lovely textures when frozen and thawed. For best results, enjoy every bite within a day or two of preparing.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Holiday Green Salad. If you’ve made it ahead, simply let it come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving. If your nuts have lost some crunch, toast a fresh batch to sprinkle on just before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Holiday Green Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep most of the ingredients and the dressing up to a day ahead. Just keep the dressing separate until right before serving, then toss it all together so the greens stay crisp and vibrant.
What can I substitute for pomegranate arils?
If pomegranates aren’t in season, dried cranberries, cherries, or even chopped fresh oranges are tasty swaps that keep with the festive, fruity vibe of Holiday Green Salad.
Is there a vegan version of this salad?
Easily! Just use your favorite plant-based cheese or skip the cheese entirely, and double-check that your candied nuts are vegan-friendly (some use honey). The rest is naturally vegan and still delicious.
How can I add more protein?
Grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or even some cooked quinoa tossed with the greens work wonderfully to make Holiday Green Salad a full meal. Just add before you toss with the dressing.
Can I switch up the nuts or cheese?
Definitely! Toasted almonds or pistachios bring a different crunch, while blue cheese or shaved parmesan offer alternative flavors. Make it your own—holiday salads are for celebrating!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that’s as dazzling on the table as it is delightful to eat, you can’t go wrong with Holiday Green Salad. It’s quick, colorful, and sure to become a beloved staple at your celebrations. Give it a try—your guests (and taste buds) will thank you!
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Holiday Green Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
This Holiday Green Salad is a festive and colorful addition to any holiday table. Made with a mix of greens, sweet pomegranate arils, crisp pear slices, crunchy candied pecans, tangy goat cheese, and zesty red onion, all tossed in a flavorful dressing, this salad is sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Mixed Greens:
6 cups mixed greens (such as baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
Pomegranate Arils:
1 cup
Pear or Apple:
1 large pear or apple, thinly sliced
Candied Pecans or Walnuts:
1/2 cup
Goat Cheese or Feta Cheese:
1/3 cup, crumbled
Red Onion:
1/4 cup, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, pomegranate arils, sliced pear or apple, candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and red onion.
- Add the Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add roasted delicata squash or sweet potato for extra holiday flair.
- This salad pairs perfectly with turkey, ham, or any festive main dish!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
