Description
A festive and refreshing Christmas Salad featuring mixed spring greens, citrus segments, tangy pomegranate seeds, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy candied pecans, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey-Dijon vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a vibrant, healthy dish with a burst of seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 7 cups mixed spring greens
- 1 1/4 cups orange segments (mandarin oranges, clementines, or tangerines)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (can substitute dried cranberries)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup candied pecans, roughly chopped
For the Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: Place the mixed spring greens, orange segments, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped candied pecans in a large bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and minced shallot. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture to your desired taste. Gently toss the ingredients together to evenly coat them with the dressing. Be careful not to bruise the delicate greens.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad right away to enjoy the fresh textures and vibrant flavors. Any leftover dressing can be stored for later use.
Notes
- Substitute pomegranate seeds with dried cranberries if pomegranate seeds are unavailable.
- Candied pecans can be store-bought or homemade; roughly chop before adding for best texture.
- For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative and replace honey with maple syrup.
- To keep the salad crisp, toss with dressing just before serving.
- The salad is best served fresh and not stored after dressing is added.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, mixed greens salad, pomegranate salad, citrus salad, feta cheese salad, healthy holiday recipes
