Christmas Salad is the kind of dish that instantly brightens any holiday table. With its vivid pops of red, creamy textures, fresh greens, and a sweet, tangy dressing that ties it all together, this salad doesn’t just look festive—it tastes like Christmas joy in every bite. It’s refreshing, crunchy, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, this salad fits right in. It’s easy to prep ahead, endlessly customizable, and looks like something you’d see on a magazine cover. Packed with seasonal flavors like pomegranate, apples, and a maple dressing, it brings a welcome lightness to your spread.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Salad

This salad is not just about pretty colors. The combination of textures and flavors is truly satisfying. You’ll love the crispness of romaine lettuce, the juiciness of apples, the bursts of tart pomegranate seeds, and the creaminess of goat cheese or feta. Add crunchy pecans and a drizzle of homemade maple vinaigrette, and it’s a total crowd-pleaser. It’s wholesome and festive, and it also balances out heavier holiday fare beautifully.

What Kind of Apples or Greens Work Best?

While you can use any apple variety, Honeycrisp and Fuji are favorites for their sweet crunch. As for greens, romaine gives you a sturdy, fresh crunch that holds up well with toppings and dressing, but you can mix in baby spinach or arugula if you prefer a more peppery bite. The key is to keep the ingredients crisp and fresh so the salad holds its own on a rich holiday table.

Ingredients for the Christmas Salad

This colorful salad comes together with a mix of fresh, seasonal ingredients and a sweet, tangy dressing that’s easy to whisk up.

Romaine Lettuce adds a crisp base that supports the toppings without getting soggy.

Honeycrisp Apple brings a sweet crunch and holiday-red hue that pops on the plate.

Pomegranate Seeds add juicy bursts of tart flavor and a beautiful ruby red color.

Candied Pecans or toasted ones add warmth, crunch, and just a hint of sweet spice.

Goat Cheese or Feta offers creamy, tangy richness that balances the sweetness.

Red Onion gives a sharp edge that ties all the other flavors together.

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette is the magical dressing with maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, perfectly blending sweet and tangy notes.

How To Make the Christmas Salad

Step 1: Make the Maple Vinaigrette

In a small jar or bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until the dressing emulsifies. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 2: Prep the Salad Base

Wash and dry the romaine lettuce, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large serving bowl or platter. If you’re mixing greens, now’s the time to add spinach or arugula.

Step 3: Add the Toppings

Slice the apple thinly and remove any seeds. Sprinkle apple slices over the greens. Follow with pomegranate seeds, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese or feta, and candied pecans.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Right before serving, drizzle the maple vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently so all the ingredients are coated but not weighed down. Serve immediately and enjoy the crunch, color, and cheer.

How to Serve and Store Christmas Salad

This salad feeds about 6 to 8 people as a side dish, making it perfect for your holiday meal lineup. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats or hearty mains and can be served on a large platter for extra wow factor.

If you need to prep ahead, you can store the chopped greens and toppings in separate containers for up to a day. Add the dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp. Leftovers? Tossed salad will keep in the fridge for a day, but it’s best fresh.

What to Serve With Christmas Salad?

Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

This bold main dish pairs wonderfully with the light, crisp texture of the salad.

Brown Sugar Maple Cookies

Finish off the meal with these rich and cozy cookies that echo the maple notes in the salad dressing.

Baked Stuffed Shrimp Casserole

The bright salad offsets the buttery richness of seafood casseroles like this one【5†source】.

Classic Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy comfort food needs a fresh, tangy counterpoint—this salad is perfect.

Southern Cornbread Poppers

These crunchy, savory bites bring a little spice that complements the sweetness in the salad【5†source】.

Easy Crock Pot Orange Chicken

A citrusy chicken dish like this sings when served next to the tartness of pomegranate and apple【5†source】.

Loaded Scalloped Potatoes

Hearty and creamy, these potatoes benefit from a salad that refreshes the palate.

Want More Salad Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this festive Christmas Salad, you’ll enjoy exploring these flavorful creations too:

• Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad for a crisp and creamy side.

• Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries if you’re looking for a blend of sweet and savory.

• Zesty Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta Salad brings brightness and heartiness together.

• Easy Summer Peach Watermelon Salad when you want a refreshing fruit twist.

• Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad if you need a classic with bold flavor.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest salad board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you use pecans or walnuts? Go with feta or try blue cheese? Did you add cranberries?

I love seeing how others put their spin on these recipes. Questions welcome too—let’s make holiday cooking easy and fun.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dishes on Mia Recipes on Pinterest and find your next holiday favorite!