This festive Christmas salad combines the season’s best ingredients—toasted nuts, fresh greens, juicy fruits, creamy cheese, and a zesty honey mustard dressing. It’s a perfect holiday side dish or a light, flavorful main course that brings color and vibrance to your table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor – A balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements.
- Easy to Make – Quick prep and simple ingredients make this stress-free for busy holiday gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Prepare the nuts and dressing in advance to save time.
- Customizable – Adjust the cheese, nuts, or fruits based on your preference.
- Nutrient-Rich – Packed with healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins from fresh ingredients.
Part 1: Ingredients, Preparation & Step-by-Step Instructions
Essential Tools & Equipment
- Baking sheet (for toasting nuts)
- Parchment paper
- Large salad bowl
- Mixing bowls
- Glass jar (for dressing)
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1½ cups walnuts, raw and unsalted
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds, unshelled
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 1-2 apples or pears, diced
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup crumbled cheese (blue, feta, or goat cheese)
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 2 teaspoons orange zest + 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chili flakes, to taste
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Prepare and Toast the Nuts
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, toss walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
- Spread them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until nuts are golden and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, spread in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool.
2. Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add mixed greens and frisée.
- Top with diced apples or pears, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the cooled nuts and crumbled cheese over the salad.
- Gently toss to combine all the ingredients.
3. Make the Dressing
- Add all dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes) to a glass jar.
- Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until fully combined.
4. Dress and Serve
Serve immediately and enjoy your festive, fresh, and nutty Christmas salad!
Just before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad.
Gently toss to coat evenly.
Serving Ideas
- As a Side Dish – Pairs perfectly with roast turkey, ham, or beef tenderloin.
- As a Light Meal – Serve with grilled chicken or salmon for added protein.
- On a Holiday Buffet – A fresh, vibrant contrast to rich, heavy holiday dishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Soggy Salad – Dress the salad just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Over-Toasting Nuts – Keep an eye on them while baking to prevent burning.
- Avocado Browning – Add avocados just before serving to keep them fresh.
- Overdressing – Start with half the dressing, then add more as needed.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with This Salad
Pairing this festive salad with the right sides enhances its flavors and creates a well-balanced meal.
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts drizzled with balsamic glaze complement the sweet and tangy elements of the salad.
2. Garlic Butter Green Beans
Simple yet flavorful, green beans sautéed in garlic butter add a rich, savory contrast to the fresh greens and fruit.
3. Cranberry Orange Quinoa Pilaf
This warm, nutty quinoa dish with cranberries and orange zest echoes the citrus notes in the dressing and adds a satisfying grain component.
4. Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Soft, caramelized sweet potatoes seasoned with rosemary and thyme bring warmth and depth to the meal.
5. Honey Glazed Carrots
The natural sweetness of roasted carrots with a honey glaze pairs well with the crisp apples and pomegranate seeds in the salad.
6. Butternut Squash Soup
A creamy, velvety soup with subtle spices and a hint of sweetness complements the fresh, crunchy texture of the salad.
7. Crispy Parmesan Polenta Fries
Golden, crispy polenta fries add a crunchy texture and a savory contrast to the sweetness of the salad ingredients.
8. Savory Cheese Biscuits
Fluffy cheese biscuits make a delicious pairing, adding a buttery, cheesy component that enhances the salad’s flavors.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Make the Nuts in Advance – Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
- Prepare the Dressing – Keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using.
- Store Leftover Salad – Keep undressed salad in an airtight container for one to two days.
- Avoid Soggy Greens – Store the dressing separately and add just before serving for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes. Swap honey for maple syrup and omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
What is the best cheese for this salad?
Feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese all work well. Choose based on your preference for mild, tangy, or bold flavors.
Can I use different nuts?
Absolutely. Pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts can be substituted for walnuts.
How do I prevent apple or pear slices from browning?
Soak slices in a light saltwater solution (one teaspoon salt per cup of water) for five minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
Is this salad good for meal prep?
Yes. Prep the components in advance, but assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Conclusion
This Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a fresh, vibrant addition to any holiday feast. With a perfect balance of crisp greens, sweet fruits, toasted nuts, creamy cheese, and a tangy dressing, it is both elegant and simple to prepare. Serve it as a festive side dish or a light main course to bring seasonal flavors to your table. Try it this holiday season and impress your guests with a salad that is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1½ cups walnuts raw and unsalted
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds unshelled
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 1-2 apples or pears diced
- 2 avocados sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup crumbled cheese blue, feta, or goat cheese
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 2 teaspoons orange zest + 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chili flakes to taste
Instructions
Prepare and Toast the Nuts
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the nuts are toasted and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, spread in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and frisée.
- Top with diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the cooled nuts and crumbled cheese evenly over the salad.
- Gently toss to combine the ingredients.
Make the Dressing
- Add all the dressing ingredients (olive oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes) to a glass jar.
- Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined.
Dress and Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your festive, fresh, and nutty Christmas salad!
Notes
Make Ahead: Save time by toasting the nuts and preparing the dressing in advance. Store the nuts in an airtight container and refrigerate the dressing. Assemble the salad just before serving for freshness.
Prevent Browning: Soak apple or pear slices in a light saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per cup of water) for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry if prepping ahead.
Serving Tip: For optimal flavor and texture, serve the salad within an hour of assembling.
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