Best Christmas Salad Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)

Name: Christmas Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon honey; ¼ cup spicy brown mustard; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; 8 ounces spring mix (baby lettuce and baby greens); 5 small radish (thinly sliced ); 1 cup walnuts (toasted, chopped); 5 ounces blue cheese (crumbled); 1 large apple (cored and sliced, Honey Crisp or similar); 4 ounces pomegranate arils

Christmas Salad brings together crisp winter greens, tangy blue cheese, and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds in a celebration of holiday colors and flavors.

The combination of toasted walnuts and fresh apple creates a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness that makes this salad special.

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Christmas Salad recipe by Cheerful Coo. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Table of Contents

My family requests this every December because it actually gets eaten alongside the heavy holiday dishes, and the honey mustard dressing is so good people ask for the recipe.

Christmas Salad Recipe Highlights

Ready in 20 minutes with no cooking required
Festive red and green colors perfect for holiday tables
Make-ahead dressing develops deeper flavor
Blue cheese adds sophisticated richness
Fresh ingredients balance heavy holiday meals

Ingredient Notes

Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.

Ingredients needed to make a Christmas Salad.

GREENS – Spring mix gives you the perfect blend of tender baby lettuces with just enough peppery bite from arugula or mustard greens. The variety of textures and subtle flavors creates a more interesting base than single lettuce types. Look for pre-washed mixes that feel crisp and show no signs of wilting. If you prefer milder flavors, substitute with all baby spinach or butter lettuce.

BLUE CHEESE – Quality matters here since it’s a star ingredient. Good blue cheese should have visible blue-green veining throughout and a creamy yet crumbly texture. The sharp, tangy flavor cuts through the sweet dressing beautifully. Crumble it yourself from a wedge for better texture than pre-crumbled versions. Gorgonzola works as a milder substitute, or use goat cheese for a completely different but delicious twist.

WALNUTS – Toasting transforms walnuts from bland to deeply nutty and brings out their natural oils. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, watching carefully to prevent burning. The warmth also helps them stay crispy longer once dressed. Pecans make an excellent substitute with their buttery sweetness.

POMEGRANATE – These ruby-red arils add bursts of tart-sweet juice that complement the creamy dressing perfectly. Fresh arils last about a week refrigerated, or buy pre-packaged ones to save time. The seeds provide textural interest and their jewel-like appearance makes the salad festive. Dried cranberries work in a pinch but lack the juicy pop.

APPLE – Choose a crisp, sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji that holds its shape when sliced. The fresh crunch and natural sweetness balance the tangy dressing and sharp cheese. Slice just before serving to prevent browning, or toss slices with a bit of lemon juice. Pears offer a softer, more delicate alternative.

DRESSING – This honey mustard combination achieves restaurant-quality flavor with pantry staples. The mayonnaise provides creaminess, spicy brown mustard adds complexity with its whole mustard seeds, and honey balances the tang. Letting it rest allows the garlic powder to hydrate and flavors to meld into something more sophisticated than the sum of its parts.

How To Make a Christmas Salad

Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Whisk together all dressing ingredients.
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Place dressing in center of salad for serving.

Leftovers and Storage

STORE – Keep your Christmas Salad components separate for best results. Store undressed greens in the crisper drawer wrapped in paper towels inside a plastic bag for up to 3 days. Keep dressed salad for only 1 day as the greens will wilt quickly.

MAKE AHEAD – Prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Toast and chop walnuts 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container. Wash and dry greens the morning of serving. Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning.

FREEZE – This salad doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh ingredients. However, you can freeze toasted walnuts for up to 3 months in a freezer bag.

FRESHNESS – Once assembled but not dressed, the salad stays fresh for about 2 hours at room temperature. Keep components chilled until ready to serve for maximum crispness.

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Serving Suggestions

HOLIDAY DINNER STARTER – Serve individual portions on chilled salad plates before bringing out the prime rib or ham. The fresh flavors prepare palates for the rich main course without filling anyone up.

BUFFET CENTERPIECE – Place this colorful salad at the beginning of your holiday buffet line. Its vibrant colors draw the eye and encourage guests to add vegetables to their plates alongside heavier dishes.

CHRISTMAS BRUNCH SIDE – Pair with Quiche Lorraine or Ham and Cheese Croissants for an elegant brunch spread. The salad’s brightness balances egg dishes beautifully.

LEFTOVER TURKEY LUNCH – Transform holiday leftovers by serving this alongside turkey sandwiches or Turkey Tetrazzini. The fresh crunch provides welcome contrast to comfort food.

Recipe Success Tips

RADISH SLICING – Use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to get paper-thin radish slices that distribute evenly and won’t overpower bites. Soak sliced radishes in ice water for 10 minutes to crisp them up and mellow their bite.

APPLE PREP – Expert Tip: Cut apple slices directly over the salad bowl so any juice lands on the greens. This adds subtle sweetness without extra dressing. Choose apples at room temperature for best flavor.

DRESSING CONSISTENCY – Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds to fully emulsify the mayonnaise and oil. The dressing should coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle smoothly. Thin with a teaspoon of water if too thick.

CHEESE DISTRIBUTION – Crumble blue cheese into various sizes from pea-sized to powder. This ensures every bite gets cheese flavor without overwhelming chunks. Add half to the salad and reserve half for sprinkling on individual servings.

SERVING TEMPERATURE – Chill your serving bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembly. Cold dishes keep greens crisp longer, especially important if the salad sits out during a buffet dinner.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I Use A Different Type Of Mustard?

Dijon mustard works well but creates a smoother, more refined dressing. Yellow mustard lacks depth. Stone-ground mustard adds nice texture. Spicy brown mustard gives the best flavor complexity with its whole mustard seeds and vinegar tang.

How Do I Keep The Salad From Getting Soggy?

Store all components separately and assemble just before serving. Dry greens thoroughly after washing using a salad spinner or paper towels. Serve dressing on the side so each person controls the amount.

What Can I Substitute For Blue Cheese?

Feta provides saltiness with a milder flavor. Goat cheese offers creaminess without the funk. Sharp white cheddar adds richness. For dairy-free, try seasoned roasted chickpeas for protein and crunch.

How Far Ahead Can I Make The Complete Salad?

Assemble everything except apple slices up to 2 hours before serving if kept refrigerated. Add apple just before serving. Never dress the salad more than 30 minutes ahead or greens will wilt.

Can I Make This Salad Nut-Free?

Replace walnuts with roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch. Crispy chickpeas add protein and texture. Homemade croutons provide satisfying crunch without nuts.

Will The Dressing Separate?

Properly whisked dressing stays emulsified for several days refrigerated. If separation occurs, simply whisk again before serving. Room temperature ingredients blend better initially than cold ones.

More Easy and Delicious Recipes

Beet Salad – Vibrant roasted beets with tangy dressing that add gorgeous color to your holiday table.

Seafood Pasta Salad – Elegant pasta salad with shrimp and crab perfect for special occasion dinners.

Waldorf Salad – Classic apple and walnut salad with creamy dressing that’s a timeless holiday favorite.

Greek Pasta Salad – Fresh Mediterranean flavors with feta and olives that brighten up winter menus.

Maike Corbett

Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.