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Delicious Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

This Delicious Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, crunchy, and fresh — a vibrant holiday salad bursting with festive colors. With crisp apples, juicy pomegranate seeds, tart cranberries, creamy feta, and crunchy candied nuts, this salad brings joyful flavor and beautiful Christmas colors to your table. The homemade honey mustard dressing blends Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar to create a silky, sweet-tangy drizzle that pairs beautifully with winter fruits and greens. Light, refreshing, and incredibly flavorful, this salad is ideal for Christmas dinner, holiday gatherings, or any winter celebration.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Base
  • 4 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 apple medium, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
  • ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
Crunchy Toppings
  • ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts
Cheese
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
Dressing
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl (for dressing)
  • Whisk or fork
  • Knife & cutting board
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

Step 1: Add the spinach or mixed greens to a large salad bowl.
    Step 2: Top with sliced apple, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and red onion.
      Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
        Step 4: Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.
          Step 5: Add candied nuts and crumbled feta cheese.
            Step 6: Toss gently and serve immediately.

              Notes

              🧊 Storage & Reheating
              Refrigerator
              Store salad without dressing for up to 1 day.
              Store dressing for 1 week in the fridge.
              Reheating
              Not needed — best served fresh and chilled.
              🥄 Variations
              ⭐ Christmas Citrus Version
              Add orange segments or mandarin slices.
              ⭐ Nut-Free Version
              Use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
              ⭐ Berry Holiday Salad
              Mix in strawberries, raspberries, or dried cranberries.
              ⭐ Creamier Dressing
              Add 1 tbsp Greek yogurt to the dressing.
              ⭐ Vegan Version
              Use maple syrup and remove feta cheese.
              ❓ 10 FAQs
              1. Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
              Yes — both work great.
              2. Will apples turn brown?
              Toss slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.
              3. Can I prep this ahead?
              Assemble without dressing or apples, add just before serving.
              4. Can I swap the cheese?
              Yes — goat cheese or mozzarella pearls work well.
              5. Can I change the greens?
              Yes — kale, romaine, or arugula are great options.
              6. Is the dressing sweet?
              Yes — lightly sweet with a tangy mustard flavor.
              7. Can I add protein?
              Chicken, turkey, or salmon pair beautifully.
              8. Is it halal?
              Yes — all ingredients are naturally halal.
              9. Can I use flavored vinegar?
              Yes — white balsamic works very well.
              10. Can I remove the onions?
              Yes — optional and can be replaced with green onions.
              🏁 Conclusion
              This Delicious Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is fresh, colorful, sweet, tangy, and festive — the perfect holiday salad to brighten any Christmas dinner. With fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, creamy feta, and a silky homemade dressing, every bite feels like a celebration of winter flavors.
              Light, vibrant, and crowd-pleasing, this salad shines as a holiday side dish or a refreshing starter.