Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where festive sides sparkle with seasonal color. This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing combines peppery greens, juicy pomegranate, creamy avocado, and candied nuts tossed in sweet-tangy honey mustard vinaigrette. Perfect for holiday dinners, brunch spreads, or light winter lunches.

Vibrant, make-ahead, and ready in 15 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

• Pomegranate and citrus create festive red-orange pops.
• Honey mustard balances sweet, tangy, and creamy notes.
• Candied nuts add crunch without sogginess.
• Avocado provides richness that complements the dressing.
• Holds up beautifully for holiday entertaining.

Ingredients & Prep

Salad:

• 6 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
• 1 cup pomegranate arils
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup candied or toasted pecans/walnuts
• ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
• 2-3 mandarin oranges, segmented

Honey Mustard Dressing:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk olive oil, honey, Dijon, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
2. In a large bowl, gently toss greens, pomegranate, avocado, nuts, cheese, and orange segments.
3. Drizzle with ½ dressing; toss lightly. Add more as needed.
4. Serve immediately or chill up to 1 hour.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Store undressed components separately up to 2 days. Toss just before serving to maintain crispness.

FAQs

Nuts soggy? Toast fresh or candy your own with sugar and cinnamon.
Dairy-free? Skip cheese or use vegan feta.
Make ahead? Prep components; dress 30 minutes before serving.

Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Print Recipe

A festive Christmas salad full of crisp greens, sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, and a bright homemade honey mustard dressing. Perfect for holiday dinners and potlucks.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted
• 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
• Honey Mustard Dressing:
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• 1. Add mixed greens to a large serving bowl.
• 2. Top with pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, pecans, apple slices, and crumbled cheese.
• 3. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• 4. Drizzle dressing over salad just before serving and toss gently.
• 5. Serve immediately for maximum freshness.

Notes

• Substitute pears for apples for a winter twist.
• Add grilled chicken or turkey to make it a full meal.
• Toast the nuts for extra flavor and crunch.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 6mg

Keywords: Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing, holiday salad, festive salad