Recipe: Christmas Salad
When the holiday table is full of cozy, hearty fare, a bright, fresh salad is welcome on everyone’s plate. Our favorite Christmas salad brings both flavor and festive flair — its greens; reds; and golden, toasted nuggets make it as beautiful as it is delicious.
Start with hearty greens, such as kale, arugula, or shaved Brussels sprouts or fennel, for texture. Then toss in ruby red pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries, and maybe a few crisp apple or pear slices for sweetness.
Add some crunch with toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds, and balance it all with creamy goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese crumbles. For a little extra substance, mix in avocado. Finish it off with fresh herbs — thyme or oregano work beautifully — and a zesty citrus dressing with a hint of chipotle heat and maple sweetness.
Can you sneak in candied bacon? Yes, of course you can.
Serves 8
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 8 cups mixed greens and/or shaved Brussels sprouts or fennel
- 1–2 apples or firm pears, chopped or sliced
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves (optional)
- Zest and juice from 1 orange
- Flaky salt
- Black pepper
- Chili flakes (optional)
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Toss the pecans and pumpkin seeds with the honey or maple syrup, chipotle powder, and salt. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once, until they are toasted. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with flaky salt, stir, and allow to cool.
Step 3
Place the greens in a large salad bowl. Add the apple or pear, avocado, and pomegranate seeds. Add the cheese and nuts. Gently toss the salad or leave as is for presentation.
Step 4
For the dressing: Place all ingredients in a glass jar and shake to combine. Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss.
Here are three elegant holiday tablescape ideas for your next Christmastime dinner party.
