If you’re looking to add a burst of festive cheer to your holiday table, this Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a vibrant, fresh, and wonderfully balanced salad where sweet, tart, crunchy, and creamy elements come together beautifully. Featuring crisp mixed greens, jewel-toned dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crisp apple slices, all tied together with a luscious balsamic dressing, this salad brings both flavor and color that will make you want to pull up a chair and dig in right away.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe is delightfully simple because each ingredient plays an essential role—from adding crunch to a hint of sweetness or tang. The fresh and natural components make this dish not only tasty but a feast for the eyes.
- Mixed greens (4 cups): A blend of spinach, arugula, or spring mix adds freshness and a pop of green color.
- Dried cranberries (1/2 cup): Their tart sweetness perfectly complements the savory and nutty flavors.
- Pecans, toasted (1/2 cup): Toasting intensifies the nutty flavor and adds crunch to every bite.
- Goat cheese, crumbled (1/4 cup): Creamy and tangy, it brings a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.
- Red onion, thinly sliced (1 small): Adds a subtle sharpness that balances the salad’s sweetness.
- Apple, thinly sliced (1, Honeycrisp or Gala): Crisp and juicy apple slices add a fresh, natural sweetness with every forkful.
- Balsamic glaze or vinaigrette (1/4 cup): Provides that glossy finish and tangy depth that ties the salad together.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Helps create a smooth dressing that lightly coats every ingredient.
- Honey (1 tablespoon, optional): Adds gentle sweetness to balance the acidity in the dressing.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings that bring out the salad’s natural flavors.
How to Make Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe
Step 1: Assemble the Salad
Start by grabbing a large bowl and combining your mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and thinly sliced red onion. This base sets the stage with a wonderful mix of textures and flavors that already gets your mouth watering.
Step 2: Add Apple Slices
Next, arrange the thin apple slices beautifully on top of your salad. These slices aren’t just for taste; they bring a stunning visual contrast with their crisp, fresh color, making your salad look as good as it tastes.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze or vinaigrette, honey if you’re using it, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This dressing is simple yet perfectly balanced, with just the right touch of sweetness to enhance every ingredient without overpowering them.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad right before serving—this keeps the greens fresh and crisp. Gently toss the salad to ensure every bite bursts with that perfect blend of flavors and textures. Now your Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe is ready to impress!
How to Serve Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive flair, consider topping your salad with a few whole pecans or a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. These little touches make the salad sparkle with holiday spirit and offer a delightful crunch or jewel-like pop that enhances the festive feel.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a hearty vegetable casserole. It’s light enough to balance out rich main courses yet flavorful enough to stand on its own as a refreshing starter or side dish for your holiday feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this salad in clear glass bowls or on a festive platter to showcase the vivid colors. You can also create individual salad cups or jar salads layered with dressing on the bottom for an elegant and easy-to-serve holiday appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To keep the salad fresh longer, store the dressing separately and toss just before eating. This prevents the greens from wilting and maintains the crisp texture of the apples and nuts.
Freezing
Due to the fresh greens, apples, and nuts, freezing this Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe isn’t recommended as freezing will ruin the texture and flavor of the salad components.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and cold, so reheating isn’t necessary. If served alongside warm dishes, enjoy it chilled straight from the fridge for that crisp and refreshing bite every time.
FAQs
Can I use other types of nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work beautifully too. Just toast them lightly to bring out their flavor and add that satisfying crunch.
Is it okay to substitute goat cheese with another cheese?
Yes, if you prefer milder cheese, feta or blue cheese also complements the salad wonderfully and offers a different but equally delicious tanginess.
What type of apple is best for this salad?
Honeycrisp and Gala apples are preferred for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, but Granny Smith apples can add a sharper tartness if you like more zing.
Can I prepare the dressing ahead of time?
Definitely! The dressing can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick whisk before drizzling over the salad to recombine the ingredients.
How long will this salad keep fresh in the fridge?
When stored properly with the dressing separate, the salad will stay fresh for about two days. Beyond that, the greens may start to wilt and the apples lose their crispness.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe has quickly become one of my absolute favorite holiday dishes because it delivers freshness, texture, and festive cheer all in one bowl. It’s so easy to assemble yet offers a stunning array of flavors that everyone will love. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and watch it become a new holiday classic on your table!
Print
Christmas Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Apple Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and festive Christmas Salad featuring mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and fresh apple slices, all tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light appetizer during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala works best)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze or vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Add Apple Slices: Arrange the thin apple slices on top of the salad to add a colorful and sweet contrast, enhancing both appearance and flavor.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze (or vinaigrette), honey (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined to create a balanced dressing.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, then toss gently to coat all ingredients with the dressing evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy this festive salad as a light appetizer or refreshing side dish alongside your holiday meals.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Use fresh apples that hold their shape when sliced, such as Honeycrisp or Gala, for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing based on your preferred sweetness level or omit for a tangier taste.
- This salad is best served immediately to maintain the crispness of the greens and apples.
- Substitute goat cheese with feta if preferred for a different flavor profile.
