Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

The Zesty Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Crafting a delightful christmas salad with honey mustard dressing promises to spark joy at your festive table.

Seasonal ingredients dance together in this vibrant dish that captures winter’s essence.

Fresh greens provide a crisp canvas for tangy flavor combinations.

Colorful vegetables add unexpected texture and visual appeal to each forkful.

Sweet honey and zesty mustard create a harmonious dressing that ties everything together.

Nutritious and light, this salad offers a refreshing counterpoint to rich holiday meals.

Surprise your guests with a simple yet sophisticated recipe that celebrates seasonal abundance.

What’s Inside Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Main Ingredients:
  • Mixed Greens, Frisée: Fresh and crisp salad base that provides a delightful texture and green foundation.
  • Apple or Pear: Sweet and juicy fruit that adds a seasonal crunch and refreshing flavor to the salad.
  • Avocados: Creamy and rich ingredient that brings smooth texture and healthy fats.
  • Pomegranate Seeds: Bright, jewel-like seeds that offer a burst of sweet-tart flavor and festive color.
Nuts and Cheese:
  • Walnuts, Pumpkin Seeds: Toasted and seasoned nuts that provide a crunchy, spicy-sweet element with depth of flavor.
  • Crumbled Cheese: Tangy cheese that adds richness and complements the other salad ingredients.
Dressing Components:
  • Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar: Foundational dressing ingredients that create a smooth and balanced base.
  • Dijon Mustard, Honey, Fig Jam: Flavor-enhancing elements that add complexity, sweetness, and slight tanginess.
  • Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Citrus components that brighten the overall dressing with fresh, zesty notes.
  • Salt, Pepper, Chili Flakes: Seasoning ingredients that balance and add subtle heat to the dressing.

How To Make Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Step 1: Prepare Tasty Nuts and Seeds

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine ingredients for roasting:
  • Walnuts
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Honey
  • Chipotle powder
  • Salt

Toss until everything is evenly coated and spread on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 2: Roast and Crisp Nuts

Bake the nut mixture for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Watch for a golden color and fragrant aroma. Remove from the oven, spread in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Allow to cool completely.

Step 3: Build Colorful Salad Base

Grab a large salad bowl and add:
  • Mixed greens
  • Frisée
  • Diced apple or pear
  • Sliced avocados
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Cooled roasted nuts
  • Crumbled cheese

Step 4: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

In a glass jar, combine dressing ingredients:
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Honey
  • Fig jam
  • Orange zest
  • Orange juice
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Chili flakes

Seal tightly and shake vigorously until fully blended.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss to ensure every ingredient gets coated. Serve immediately and savor the festive flavors of this delightful Christmas salad!

Helpful Tips For Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

  • Toast Nuts Perfectly: Stir the nuts and seeds once during baking to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning, creating a delightful golden-brown crunch.
  • Customize Cheese Options: Swap crumbled cheese with vegan alternatives like nutritional yeast or plant-based feta for dairy-free guests while maintaining rich flavor.
  • Prep Ahead Smartly: Roast nuts and prepare dressing up to two days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to save time during holiday meal preparation.
  • Balance Salad Textures: Layer ingredients strategically, starting with greens, then adding creamy avocados, crisp fruits, crunchy nuts, and juicy pomegranate seeds for a dynamic eating experience.

Ways To Switch Up Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

  • Vegan Winter Salad: Replace cheese with roasted tofu crumbles and use maple syrup instead of honey for a completely plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Holiday Delight: Swap out traditional nuts with gluten-free certified seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
  • Low-Carb Festive Salad: Eliminate apples and pomegranate seeds, replacing them with cucumber and radish for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that maintains the seasonal crunch.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute walnuts with pine nuts, add kalamata olives, and include crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-style Christmas salad experience.

Perfect Matches For Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

  • Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc with bright acidity that complements the salad's honey mustard dressing and cuts through the richness of avocado and cheese.
  • Enhance with Sparkling Apple Cider: Choose a craft hard apple cider that mirrors the fresh apple notes in the salad and provides a light, effervescent companion to the nutty, sweet-spicy roasted seeds.
  • Match with Soft Goat Cheese Plate: Create a side cheese board featuring creamy goat cheese, aged cheddar, and blue cheese to echo the crumbled cheese in the salad and offer delightful textural contrasts.

Storing Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing Made Easy

  • Store leftover salad without dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Keep greens, toppings, and nuts separate to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess. Reassemble just before eating.
  • Crisp wilted greens by soaking in ice-cold water for 5 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels before serving.
  • Quickly restore toasted nuts' crunch by placing them on a baking sheet and warming in the oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes.

Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing FAQs

  • Are the nuts and seeds crucial for this salad?

The toasted nuts and seeds add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that elevates the entire salad, creating a perfect textural contrast with the soft greens and creamy avocado.

  • Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the honey mustard dressing up to 3 days in advance. Store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using to recombine the ingredients.

  • What cheese works best in this salad?

Crumbled goat cheese or feta are excellent choices that complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the salad, adding a creamy and slightly tangy element to the dish.

  • How spicy is the chipotle powder in the nuts?

The chipotle powder provides a subtle smoky heat that’s not overwhelming.

Why Juicy Christmas Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing Is A Hit

  • Craft Complex Flavors: Blend sweet, tangy, and spicy notes with honey, chipotle, pomegranate, and cheese for a gourmet taste experience that surprises your palate.
  • Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Pack your plate with antioxidant-rich ingredients like mixed greens, avocados, nuts, and seeds that deliver incredible health benefits in every bite.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Transform simple ingredients into a stunning salad with minimal cooking steps, making it perfect for busy holiday gatherings or last-minute meal preparations.
  • Personalize Your Plate: Swap ingredients easily by substituting fruits, nuts, or cheese to match dietary preferences or what's available in your kitchen.
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Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

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

Festive Holiday Salad brings Christmas cheer with crisp greens and tangy honey mustard dressing. Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a refreshing starter that celebrates winter’s delightful flavors you’ll savor at your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients:

  • 6 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 cups frisée leaves
  • 2 cups pomegranate seeds
  • 1–2 apples or pears (diced)
  • 2 avocados (sliced)
  • 1 cup crumbled cheese (blue, feta, or goat cheese)

Nuts and Seeds:

  • 1.5 cups walnuts (raw and unsalted)
  • 0.5 cups pumpkin seeds (unshelled)

Dressing and Seasonings:

  • 0.33 cups honey or maple syrup
  • 0.33 cups extra virgin olive oil
  • 0.25 cups balsamic or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fig jam
  • 0.25 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Chili flakes (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for toasting nuts and seeds.
  2. Combine walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey, coating them thoroughly with chipotle powder and a hint of salt.
  3. Distribute the seasoned nut mixture evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring uniform toasting.
  4. Roast for 15 minutes, stirring midway to achieve golden, aromatic nuts with a crisp texture.
  5. Remove from oven, scatter with flaky salt, and allow to cool completely for optimal crunchiness.
  6. Assemble the salad base by layering mixed greens and frisée in a spacious serving bowl.
  7. Artfully arrange diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and vibrant pomegranate seeds across the greens.
  8. Scatter the cooled, seasoned nuts and crumble cheese over the salad for added depth and richness.
  9. Create the honey mustard dressing by combining olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a sealed jar.
  10. Shake the dressing vigorously until ingredients are thoroughly emulsified and well-integrated.
  11. Immediately before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
  12. Gently toss to ensure every ingredient is delicately coated with the tangy, sweet dressing.
  13. Serve promptly to enjoy the salad at its freshest and most flavorful moment.

Notes

  • Toast nuts and seeds carefully to enhance their flavor without burning, watching closely during the last few minutes of baking.
  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients to elevate the salad’s taste and presentation, especially seasonal fruits and crisp greens.
  • Customize the salad by swapping ingredients for dietary needs, like using vegan cheese or gluten-free alternatives.
  • Prepare nuts and dressing ahead of time to streamline holiday meal preparation and reduce last-minute stress.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 463 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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