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Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 13 reviews

A festive and vibrant Christmas Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, crisp apple slices, candied nuts, and optional feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy and sweet honey mustard dressing. Perfect as a colorful and refreshing side dish for holiday meals.

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 (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

  1. Prepare the Salad: Wash your baby spinach or mixed greens thoroughly and dry them gently using a salad spinner or clean paper towels to ensure no excess moisture remains.
  2. Slice the Apple: Core and thinly slice the apple, keeping the skin on if you prefer added color and nutrients.
  3. Prepare the Pomegranate and Cranberries: Remove fresh pomegranate seeds carefully from the fruit. If using fresh cranberries, you may leave them whole or slice in half for a milder flavor.
  4. Toast the Nuts: To enhance their flavor, toast the candied pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Allow them to cool before adding to the salad.
  5. Make the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the prepared greens, pomegranate seeds, cranberries, apple slices, toasted nuts, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion if using.
  7. Toss and Dress: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated, being careful not to overdress.
  8. Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a colorful, refreshing side dish or starter to complement your holiday celebrations.

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, omit the candied pecans or walnuts and consider adding seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower.
  • Use dried cranberries if fresh are unavailable, but note the flavor and texture will be different.
  • Feta cheese is optional; omit for a dairy-free or vegan version.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of honey to taste.
  • To make this salad ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, honey mustard dressing, pomegranate salad, festive salad, healthy holiday recipes

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/christmas-salad-with-honey-mustard-dressing-recipe/