Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This festive Christmas Salad combines fresh greens, juicy pomegranate arils, apples or pears, creamy avocado, and crunchy candied nuts, topped with crumbled blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese. Drizzled with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing, this salad is perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions.
Servings: 8
Calories: 511kcal
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1½ cups raw walnuts
- ½ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 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
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 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
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Chili flakes to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Candied Nuts
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle chili powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the nuts are golden and toasted.
- Remove from the oven and spread the nuts in a single layer. Sprinkle with flaky salt and set aside to cool.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and frisée.
- Top with chopped apples (or pears), sliced avocado, pomegranate arils, and crumbled cheese.
- Sprinkle the cooled candied nuts over the salad.
Make the Dressing
- In a glass jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), Dijon mustard, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to taste.
- Shake well until the dressing is emulsified.
Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad. Gently toss to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Cheese Options: Blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese all work beautifully in this salad. Choose the one that suits your taste.
Make Ahead: The dressing, candied nuts, and salad ingredients can all be prepared in advance. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving.
Nut Substitution: For a nut-free version, replace walnuts with additional pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Fruit Variations: Swap apples or pears for persimmons or dried cranberries for a seasonal twist.
Make Ahead: The dressing, candied nuts, and salad ingredients can all be prepared in advance. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving.
Nut Substitution: For a nut-free version, replace walnuts with additional pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Fruit Variations: Swap apples or pears for persimmons or dried cranberries for a seasonal twist.