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Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing 8 Stunning Holiday Tips


  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Winter Christmas Salad features vibrant pomegranate seeds, crisp pears, creamy goat cheese, and candied pecans, all tossed with mixed winter greens and drizzled with a tangy-sweet homemade honey mustard dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this colorful festive salad balances rich holiday meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients and can be prepped ahead for stress-free entertaining.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

8 cups mixed winter greens (arugula, spinach, red leaf lettuce)

1 cup pomegranate seeds (about 1 large pomegranate)

2 ripe Bosc pears, thinly sliced

1/2 cup dried cranberries (no sugar added)

4 ounces crumbled goat cheese

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup candied pecans

For the Honey Mustard Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Candied Pecans:

1 cup raw pecan halves

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of sea salt


Instructions

1. Make the candied pecans: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt coconut oil. Add pecans, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until pecans are glossy and fragrant. Spread on prepared baking sheet to cool completely, about 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Whisk vigorously or shake until emulsified and smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Prep the red onion: Thinly slice the red onion and soak in ice water for 15-30 minutes to mellow the sharpness. Drain and pat completely dry before using.

4. Prepare the fruits: Remove seeds from pomegranate and store in a covered container. Slice pears thinly and toss with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

5. Wash and dry greens: Thoroughly wash mixed greens and dry completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Moisture will dilute the dressing.

6. Assemble the base: Place mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Scatter drained red onion slices over the greens.

7. Add fruits and toppings: Distribute sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, and dried cranberries evenly across the salad.

8. Add cheese and nuts: Crumble goat cheese over the top in irregular chunks. Scatter candied pecans across the entire salad.

9. Dress the salad: Right before serving, drizzle 2/3 of the dressing over the salad. Using salad tongs, gently toss from bottom up to ensure even coating without bruising greens.

10. Serve immediately: Taste and add more dressing if needed. Serve within 15 minutes of dressing for optimal freshness and crisp texture.

Notes

Make-Ahead Instructions: Prepare candied pecans up to 2 weeks ahead and store in an airtight container. Make dressing up to 1 week ahead and refrigerate. Prep all other components 1 day ahead and store separately. Assemble just before serving.

Storage: Store leftover dressing refrigerated for up to 1 week. Undressed salad components keep for 2-3 days separately. Once dressed, the salad should be consumed immediately.

Pear Browning Prevention: Toss sliced pears in lemon water (1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 cup water) immediately after slicing.

Vegan Option: Replace goat cheese with cashew cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey in both dressing and candied nuts.

Pomegranate Alternative: Substitute with fresh raspberries, sliced strawberries, or additional dried cranberries.

Nut-Free Version: Omit candied pecans and add toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead.

Cheese Substitutions: Feta, blue cheese, or aged cheddar work beautifully in place of goat cheese.

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 5
  • Category: Salad, Side Dish, Holiday
  • Method: No-Cook, Assembly
  • Cuisine: American, Holiday

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 19g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 8mg

Keywords: christmas salad, honey mustard dressing, winter salad, holiday salad, pomegranate salad, festive salad, pear salad, goat cheese salad