Festive Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Winter gatherings spark magic when you whip up this delightful christmas salad with honey mustard dressing that feels both festive and fresh.

Crisp greens dance beneath a golden drizzle of tangy sweetness.

Colorful ingredients mingle like cheerful guests at a holiday party.

Seasonal produce brings vibrant textures and unexpected flavor combinations to your table.

Simple ingredients create something extraordinary without complicated techniques.

Light and zesty, this salad adds a memorable touch to any celebration.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing dish.

What To Pair With Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Pair Sparkling Wine: Choose a crisp champagne or prosecco to complement the salad's sweet and spicy notes, cutting through the richness of cheese and avocado while enhancing the candied nuts' caramelized flavor.
• Match Rustic Cider: Select a dry hard apple cider that mirrors the apple and pomegranate elements, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the honey mustard dressing and adding a subtle tangy brightness.
• Create Herbal Gin Cocktail: Mix a light gin cocktail with fresh rosemary or thyme, which will harmonize with the salad's complex flavors, bringing out the zesty orange and spicy chipotle undertones.

How To Store Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Store salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep greens, chopped fruits, and nuts in different containers to maintain crispness. Dressing can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Toss apple or avocado pieces with lemon juice to prevent oxidation and keep them fresh. Wrap cut fruits tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating.
• Reheat candied nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to restore crunchiness. Bring dressing to room temperature and whisk before using. Add fresh greens to refresh wilted salad.
• Always dress the salad just before serving to prevent greens from becoming limp.

FAQs For Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Why use different types of nuts in this salad?

The candied nuts add a delightful crunch, sweetness, and depth of flavor that elevates the entire salad, creating a more complex and interesting texture.

• Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the honey mustard dressing up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just shake well before using to re-emulsify the ingredients.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

Add grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or crispy tofu to transform it into a complete meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

• Is this salad suitable for special diets?

The recipe can be easily adapted for vegetarian diets. For gluten-free options, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and replace any problematic components.

Why Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing Shines

• Craft Festive Flavors: Transform ordinary salad into a holiday masterpiece with vibrant, seasonal ingredients that dance together in perfect harmony.
• Boost Nutrition Deliciously: Pack a powerful punch of nutrients from mixed greens, pomegranate, avocado, and crunchy candied nuts, creating a wholesome dish that tastes incredible.
• Design Quick Gourmet Experience: Prepare an elegant salad with minimal kitchen skills, impressive enough for special gatherings yet simple enough for weeknight dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like pears for apples or adjust spice levels, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable to personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Everything In Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Mixed Greens: A fresh and crisp base for the salad that provides a light and nutritious foundation.
• Frisée: A slightly bitter and delicate green that adds texture and complexity to the salad.

• Apples, Pears: Sweet and crisp fruits that bring a refreshing flavor and seasonal touch to the salad.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich ingredient that adds smoothness and healthy fats.
• Pomegranate Arils: Bright and juicy seeds that provide a burst of color and tangy sweetness.

• Walnuts, Pumpkin Seeds: Crunchy and toasted nuts that offer a rich, warm flavor and added protein.
• Crumbled Cheese: A tangy and creamy element that complements the other ingredients.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Essential base ingredients that create a smooth and balanced dressing.
• Dijon Mustard, Honey, Fig Preserves: Flavor-enhancing ingredients that add depth and sweetness to the dressing.
• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Citrusy elements that bring brightness and freshness.

• Chipotle Chili Powder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Flakes, Flaky Salt: Spices and seasonings that add warmth, depth, and a touch of heat to the dish.

How To Make Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Step 1: Prepare Candied Nuts

• Honey
• Chipotle chili powder
• Salt

Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until golden and fragrant. Remove and let cool, then sprinkle with flaky salt.

Step 2: Assemble Salad Base

• Mixed greens
• Frisée
• Chopped apples
• Sliced avocado
• Pomegranate arils
• Crumbled cheese

Step 3: Create Vibrant Dressing

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Fig preserves
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Chili flakes

Shake vigorously until ingredients are perfectly combined.

Step 4: Final Toss and Serve

Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently mix. Top with the cooled candied nuts. Serve immediately and savor the festive flavors.

Helpful Hints For Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Toast Nuts Perfectly: Watch nuts closely while baking to prevent burning, stirring midway ensures even golden-brown coloring and prevents bitter taste.
• Customize Dressing Consistency: Adjust vinegar and oil ratios to create thicker or thinner dressing based on personal preference, whisking thoroughly helps emulsify ingredients smoothly.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss chopped apples with lemon juice immediately after cutting to maintain fresh, crisp appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Use seasonal fruits like pears or pomegranate to add complexity and festive touch, switching ingredients creates exciting flavor variations.
• Prepare Ahead Smartly: Chop vegetables and make dressing separately, storing in airtight containers up to 24 hours before serving maintains ingredient freshness and saves preparation time.

Easy Swaps For Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

• Vegan Winter Salad: Replace cheese with roasted tofu crumbles and use agave instead of honey in the nut coating and dressing.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Salad: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and swap seeds or nuts if needed for any allergies.
• Low-Carb Festive Greens: Substitute apples with low-carb radishes, remove honey, and use stevia as a sweetener in the dressing.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Salad: Replace pomegranate with roasted red peppers, swap walnuts for pine nuts, and add fresh mint leaves for a different flavor profile.

Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas salad brings seasonal cheer with crisp greens, candied pecans, and a tangy honey mustard dressing. Colorful ingredients blend perfectly, offering a delightful side dish that elevates holiday meals and delights guests with its elegant simplicity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients:

• 6 cups mixed greens
• 2 cups frisée lettuce
• 1–2 apples or pears (chopped)
• 2 avocados (sliced)
• 2 cups pomegranate arils
• 1 cup crumbled blue cheese (feta, or goat cheese)

Nuts and Seeds:

• 1.5 cups (1½ cups) raw walnuts
• 0.5 cups (½ cup) shelled pumpkin seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) chipotle chili powder

Dressing Ingredients:

• 0.33 cup (⅓ cup) extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup (¼ cup) balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fig preserves
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 0.33 cup (⅓ cup) honey or maple syrup
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Chili flakes (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for toasting nuts.
2. Coat walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey, chipotle chili powder, and salt, ensuring even coverage.
3. Distribute the seasoned nuts across the baking sheet in a uniform layer, roasting for 15 minutes and stirring midway to achieve golden, crisp texture.
4. Remove toasted nuts from oven, spread on the sheet, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Allow to cool completely.
5. Arrange mixed greens and frisée as the salad base in a spacious serving bowl.
6. Create colorful layers by adding chopped apples, sliced avocado, vibrant pomegranate arils, and crumbled cheese.
7. Generously scatter the cooled candied nuts over the salad components.
8. Craft the dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, and fresh orange juice in a glass jar.
9. Enhance the dressing with kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes, adjusting to personal taste preference.
10. Vigorously shake the jar to emulsify the dressing, creating a smooth, well-blended consistency.
11. Immediately before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure even distribution. Serve promptly.

Notes

• Swap out nuts for seeds if you have allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this festive salad safely.
• Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching closely during the last few minutes of baking for perfect golden color.
• Prepare dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to three days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Customize the salad by substituting seasonal fruits like clementines or cranberries for a different winter twist.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 446 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg