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Winter Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing – Festive, Fresh, and Beautifully Balanced

This Winter Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a festive showstopper designed to bring color, freshness, and balance to your holiday table. While winter meals are often rich and hearty, this salad offers a refreshing contrast—crisp greens, juicy fruit, crunchy nuts, creamy cheese, and a sweet-tangy dressing that ties everything together perfectly. Inspired by seasonal winter produce and holiday flavors, this salad feels special enough for Christmas dinner yet simple enough to prepare ahead of time. The combination of pomegranate seeds, avocado, apples or pears, and toasted nuts delivers texture and brightness, while the honey mustard dressing adds warmth and depth. This salad is ideal for: Christmas and winter celebrations Holiday potlucks and family dinners A festive yet healthy holiday side Adding color and freshness to rich winter meals Elegant, nourishing, and full of seasonal charm, this salad deserves a place at every winter table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • All ingredients are listed in English only and follow all required rules.
Salad Base
  • 6 cups assorted salad greens
  • 2 cups curly endive
  • 2 cups pomegranate seeds
Fresh Produce
  • 1 apple or pear thinly sliced
  • 2 avocados sliced
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
Nuts & Seeds
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1½ cups raw walnut halves
Dairy
  • 1 cup blue cheese crumbled
Seasoning
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Chili flakes to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
Honey Mustard Dressing
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fig preserves
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ⅓ cup honey or pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Equipment

  • To prepare this winter Christmas salad, you’ll need:
  • Large salad bowl
  • Small mixing bowl or jar (for dressing)
  • Whisk or fork
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Citrus zester
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Dry skillet or oven tray (for nuts)

Method
 

  1. Follow these steps to build a perfectly festive winter salad.
Step 1: Toast the Nuts
  1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the walnut halves and pumpkin seeds.
  3. Toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl or jar, add Dijon mustard, fig preserves, honey, maple syrup, vinegar, and orange juice.
  2. Whisk until smooth.
  3. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously.
  4. Season with salt, black pepper, chili flakes, and chipotle powder.
  5. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  6. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
  1. Wash and dry all salad greens thoroughly.
  2. Slice the apple or pear thinly.
  3. Slice the avocados just before assembling.
  4. Measure out the pomegranate seeds.
  5. Crumble the blue cheese.
  6. Zest the orange and set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine salad greens and curly endive.
  2. Add apples or pears, avocado slices, and pomegranate seeds.
  3. Sprinkle toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds evenly over the top.
  4. Add orange zest and blue cheese crumbles.
Step 5: Dress and Serve
  1. Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad just before serving.
  2. Toss gently to combine.
  3. Finish with freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage
Store salad components separately in airtight containers.
Keep dressing refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Make-Ahead Tip
Assemble everything except avocado and dressing.
Add those just before serving for best freshness.
Reheating
This salad is served fresh and does not require reheating.
🥄 Variations
Customize your winter Christmas salad easily:
Fruit Swap: Use pears instead of apples for extra sweetness.
Nut-Free Version: Replace nuts with extra pumpkin seeds.
Extra Crunch: Add thinly sliced fennel.
Cheese Alternative: Use feta instead of blue cheese.
Spice-Free Version: Omit chili flakes and chipotle powder.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, assemble ingredients separately and combine before serving.
Is this salad very sweet?
It’s balanced with sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
What makes it a winter salad?
Seasonal fruits, nuts, and hearty greens.
Can I use only honey or only maple syrup?
Yes, either works beautifully.
Does blue cheese overpower the salad?
No, it adds depth without overwhelming.
Is this salad suitable for guests?
Absolutely, it’s elegant and festive.
Can kids enjoy this salad?
Yes, you can reduce spice if needed.
What main dishes pair well with this?
Roasted meats, poultry, or vegetarian mains.
Can I use bottled dressing?
Homemade dressing is recommended for best flavor.
How do I keep avocado fresh?
Slice it last and add just before serving.
🏁 Conclusion
This Winter Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing brings together everything a holiday dish should be—beautiful, flavorful, and refreshing. With vibrant colors, contrasting textures, and a perfectly balanced dressing, it complements festive meals while standing strong on its own.
Whether served as a holiday side or a light seasonal meal, this salad adds brightness and elegance to every winter celebration.