If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent the holiday season gorging on Christmas cookies and rich meals. That’s why a Christmas salad is in order. They’re full of seasonal greetings and festive flavors like juicy pomegranate seeds, citrusy dressings, and roasted veggies. Whether you want a light winter salad or something rich and creamy, there’s a Christmas salad recipe on this list just waiting to bring some joy to the table.
25 Best Christmas Salads – Easy Winter Salad Recipes
1. Apple Salad with Raisins and Walnuts
Saving room for a big Christmas dinner? This salad is the perfect lunch solution. Apple slices and pomegranates keep the mood festive while walnuts add a protein boost. If you don’t feel like de-seeding a pomegranate, dried cranberries will also do. What I love most is that this salad takes only 15 minutes. That way, you can save all your energy for prepping the main event.
2. Italian Mixed Greens Salad with Prosciutto and Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Have yourself a merry little Christmas with this Italian-inspired salad. What makes this dish Italian is the mixed greens. That and the crispy prosciutto and shaved parmesan cheese. If the store is out of Italian green mix, make your own with peppery arugula, bitter radicchio, and petite baby kale leaves.
3. Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
Sneaking greens into a holiday meal is easy with this recipe. Toss a hefty amount of spinach with dried cranberries, almond slices, and a tangy sesame seed dressing. I love serving up this salad family-style with a big Christmas dinner.
4. Warm Brussels Sprouts and Pear Salad
With Brussels sprouts in season, I like to swap out my leafy greens with this hearty winter veggie. Shredded Brussels sprouts act as the bed of greens while pears and cranberries add a burst of cheer. This salad is super filling, so you can serve it up as a side or main course if you like.
5. Simple Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This vibrant salad is a breath of fresh air after binging on Christmas treats. Sprinkle sunflower seeds, baby tomatoes, matchstick carrots, and pomegranate seeds on mixed greens. Then toss with a sweet citrus dressing. This light salad pairs beautifully with roasts, fish, prime rib, and even holiday ham.
6. Pomegranate Mandarin Salad with Avocado and Feta
This is a sensational salad to serve with a Christmas feast! Creamy avocado, crumbly feta, crunchy walnuts, and juicy mandarin oranges add a whirl of textures, while the pomegranate seeds add a burst of flavor. With such wonderful flavors and colors, this mirthful bowl is sure to delight even the biggest Christmas salad grinch.
7. Cranberry Jell-O Salad
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without a jovial mold of giggly Jello salad. This recipe uses raspberry gelatin, crushed pineapple, cranberry sauce, and orange zest. For the final touch, dollop a scoop of whipped cream and add a sprig of mint on top. Take a bite, and you’ll feel like a kid at grandma’s house on Christmas Eve all over again.
8. Christmas Salad with Citrus-Champagne Vinaigrette
What’s not to celebrate about this salad? It’s got tender greens, pomegranate arils, goat cheese, pistachios, and oranges. It even gets an extra dose of vitamin C with a citrus-champagne vinaigrette. Serve this salad with the dressing in the middle and ingredients on top of the greens to make it look just like a Christmas wreath.
9. Roasted Beet and Kale Salad
If you want a Christmas salad that is simple yet impressive, this one’s for you. Roasted beets add a hearty winter touch while candied walnuts add some Christmas spirit. Serve this on a bed of kale with some fresh goat cheese and everyone will be eating salad tonight. If you really want to keep things easy, ditch the roasting and buy store-bought roasted beets instead.
10. Fig and Pomegranate Salad
Between the sweet figs and juicy pomegranate seeds, this salad is an explosion of Christmas cheers. The creaminess of the goat cheese and complexity of the balsamic does well to complement all the fresh flavors. This salad is so light and refreshing, you’ll want to eat it even after Christmas has come and gone.
11. Holiday Crunch Salad
Why not mix things up a bit and serve a powerhouse vegan lunch full of holiday fare? Quinoa makes for a filling and protein-packed base just waiting to be dressed up with all the trimmings. This recipe uses sliced almonds, chopped avocado, juicy pomegranate seeds, and fresh parsley. For a seasonal twist, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and allspice.
12. Apple Fennel Salad
When I want a yummy dish that’s also easy on the waistline, I whip up this fennel salad. It’s refreshing, light, and I could eat it all Christmas season long. You’ll want to use a mandolin slicer to get the apple slices just right. I also recommend making a bigger batch of dressing so you can have extra on hand. And don’t forget the honey-roasted walnuts! They add a sweet, nutty kick that truly makes this dish.
13. Quinoa Salad With Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries, and Pecans
When I think of a salad for a snowy Christmas day, this is precisely what I imagine. Quinoa serves as the salad bed while delicata squash, dried cranberries, pecans, and kale ribbons make up the hearty fillings. You can serve this dish hot or cold. Either way, it would make an excellent side or entree on Christmas day.
14. Merry Berry Salad
Turn your berries into a bowl full of joy with this vivacious salad. This wintery mix is brimming with goodness. It has leafy spinach, tart green apples, sweet red apples, dried cranberry morsels, and shredded parmesan cheese. You can toss this in an apple cider vinaigrette for a tangy twist. I also think a hot bacon vinaigrette will be a hit.
15. Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Salad
This salad will be your new holiday tradition for years to come. Butternut squash and wheat berries give arugula a hearty oomph while apples add a fresh crunch. The best part, though, is the warm cinnamon-maple pecans and zesty ginger dressing. Now, this is a bowl full of absolute yum!
16. Bacon Broccoli Salad
Not all Christmas salads have to be completely healthy. After all, it is the holidays. Give the family what’s really on their Christmas list and prepare a side of bacon broccoli salad. Salty bacon bites are a terrific pairing with chopped broccoli florets and a creamy mayo dressing. For a sweet play on the salty, add some golden raisins.
17. Apple Pecan Feta Spinach Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette
Left in charge of the Christmas salad? Don’t worry, I have just the recipe. This spinach salad is a foolproof classic that everyone will devour. All you need to do is toss spinach, feta, apple, pecans, and red onion into a bowl. Then when it’s time to serve, coat the salad in a maple-cider vinaigrette. See, it’s super easy and stress-free!
18. Beet, Carrot and Pomegranate Salad
I apologize now for all that hard work you’ll put into roasting prime rib because this salad will steal the show! This colorful salad is a dazzling display of joyful tidings. It’s even full of seasonal ingredients. Elegantly plate slices of beets and carrots with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and pistachios. Then, top the plate with a drizzle of a simple red wine vinegar dressing.
19. Roasted Mushroom Salad
Impress your guests this Christmas with a savory side of roasted mushrooms. Wild mushrooms have an earthy flavor and take on a meaty texture when roasted. Pair them with some garlic, parsley, and lemon for a smashing dish. If you really want to impress, top this salad with some shaved gruyere. It has a creamy, nutty taste that compliments all the flavors of this salad.
20. Sweet Potato Salad with Feta
Leave the sweet potato casseroles for Thanksgiving. Because come Christmas, you’ll want to eat this dish! Roast sweet potatoes to fork-tender perfection with red onion, pepitas, and a dash of Christmas spice. When you’re ready to serve, toss this with a bed of arugula and maple-lime dressing.
21. Mandarin Salad
When I gather with my family for Christmas brunch, this salad is always on the table. It’s a light and easy recipe that pairs well with practically everything. You’ll need mandarin oranges, almonds, celery, and lettuce for the salad. Then use vinegar, oil, sugar, and Tobasco for the dressing. I highly recommend using canned mandarin oranges. They have the right amount of sweetness to pair with the tiny splash of heat.
22. Ambrosia Salad
There’s something enchanting about ambrosia that brings out the magic of Christmas time. Perhaps it’s the mini-marshmallows or fluffy frozen whipped topping. Or maybe it’s the tropical shredded coconut and delightful fruit filling. Whatever it is, everyone will have a very merry Christmas with a side of ambrosia salad.
23. Ensalada Navideña
Feliz Navidad wouldn’t be the same without this little Christmas miracle. Ensalada Navideña is a Mexican Christmas salad full of fruit and creamy dressing. It’s very similar to ambrosia salad, except it’s marshmallow-free. To make this salad, you’ll need some fresh apples, canned pineapple, maraschino cherries, pecans, coconut, and raisins. For the dressing, use Mexican crema and condensed milk. If you can’t find crema, sour cream will do.
24. Citrus and Pomegranate Fruit Salad
Did you get a stocking full of fresh citrus? Well, I know exactly what to do with it! Grab a bowl, then add orange and grapefruit slices. While you’re at it, sprinkle a handful of cheerful pomegranate seeds on top. Don’t be surprised if you bite into this salad and Christmas carols suddenly start playing in your head.
25. Cranberry Fluff Salad
Hear that? Sleighbells must be ringing because cranberry fluff is on the table. This fluff calls for whipped cream, cream cheese, marshmallows, pineapples, and cranberries. This sweet salad would make a marvelous Christmas breakfast or angelic dessert. However you serve it, the kids will come running for this whimsical fluff. Click on a star to rate it!
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