Best Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Adam

Best Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

This Best Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a colorful, fresh, and absolutely stunning holiday dish that brings brightness to your Christmas table. Packed with creamy avocado, crisp apples or pears, crunchy walnuts, sweet fig jam, tangy pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, and blue cheese, this salad delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors. The homemade honey mustard dressing blends Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, vinegar, and virgin olive oil into a silky, sweet, tangy holiday drizzle that ties everything together with festive richness. With its red, green, and white tones, this salad looks like a Christmas decoration—fresh, vibrant, and irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, bringing a dish to a holiday gathering, or preparing a lighter festive meal, this salad is a guaranteed showstopper.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Salad Base

6 cups mixed salad greens
2 cups frisée leaves
2 cups pomegranate seeds
2 avocados sliced
1 apple or pear sliced
¼ tsp chipotle powder
1 pinch chili flakes
2 tsp orange peel zest
Crunchy Add-Ins
1½ cups raw walnuts
½ cup pumpkin seeds

Cheese

1 cup blue cheese crumbled
Optional — can be replaced with feta for a milder taste

Honey Mustard Dressing

2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fig jam
2 tbsp honey
⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
⅓ cup virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

Large salad bowl
Small bowl or jar for dressing
Whisk or fork
Knife & cutting board
Measuring cups & spoons

Method

Step 1: Add the salad greens, frisée, pomegranate seeds, sliced apples or pears, avocado, chili flakes, chipotle powder, and orange peel to a large salad bowl.

Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, fig jam, honey, maple syrup (or extra honey), vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.

Step 4: Add the walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled blue cheese.

Step 5: Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.

Step 6: Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Store salad without dressing for 1 day.

Store dressing for up to 1 week.

Cut apples/pears right before serving to avoid browning.

Reheating

Not needed — serve chilled.

🥄 Variations
⭐ Berry Christmas Salad

Add strawberries or dried cranberries.

⭐ Feta Version

Replace blue cheese with feta for milder flavor.

⭐ Crunchier Salad

Toast the walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

⭐ Citrus Boost

Add mandarin segments or blood orange slices.

⭐ Creamier Dressing

Add 1 tbsp Greek yogurt to the dressing.

⭐ Spicy Holiday Salad

Increase chipotle and chili flakes.

⭐ Nut-Free Version

Use sunflower seeds instead of walnuts.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I make the salad ahead?

Prep ingredients but add dressing and fruit right before serving.

2. Can I replace blue cheese?

Yes — use feta, goat cheese, or mozzarella pearls.

3. Can I use dried pomegranate seeds?

Fresh is best, but dried works for crunch.

4. Will avocados turn brown?

Add them right before serving or toss in lemon juice.

5. Can I remove the spice?

Yes — omit chili flakes and chipotle powder.

6. Is the dressing sweet?

Yes — a sweet, festive honey-mustard flavor.

7. Can I make it vegan?

Use maple syrup and remove cheese.

8. Can I add protein?

Grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas work well.

9. Is this salad halal?

Yes — all ingredients are naturally halal.

10. Can I use spring mix instead of frisée?

Yes — any greens work beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

This Best Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is the perfect holiday dish—fresh, colorful, sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy all at once. With its mix of seasonal fruits, winter greens, nuts, cheese, and the best homemade honey mustard dressing, it brings festive cheer to every table.

It’s a gorgeous, delicious, and effortless side dish that pairs perfectly with Christmas mains like salmon, roast beef, turkey, or stuffed chicken.