Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This vibrant Christmas salad combines toasted nuts, fresh greens, juicy fruits, creamy cheese, and a zesty honey mustard dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make salad is a festive and delicious side dish or light main course.
Servings: 6
Calories: 2700kcal
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1½ cups walnuts raw and unsalted
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds unshelled
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 1-2 apples or pears diced
- 2 avocados sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup crumbled cheese blue, feta, or goat cheese
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 2 teaspoons orange zest + 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chili flakes to taste
Instructions
Prepare and Toast the Nuts
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the nuts are toasted and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, spread in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and frisée.
- Top with diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the cooled nuts and crumbled cheese evenly over the salad.
- Gently toss to combine the ingredients.
Make the Dressing
- Add all the dressing ingredients (olive oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes) to a glass jar.
- Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined.
Dress and Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your festive, fresh, and nutty Christmas salad!
Notes
Cheese Options: Use your preferred cheese—blue, feta, or goat cheese work beautifully.
Make Ahead: Prepare the nuts and dressing in advance to save time. Store the nuts in an airtight container and the dressing in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Apple Prep: If preparing the salad in advance, soak apple or pear slices in a saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per 1 cup water) for 5 minutes to prevent browning. Rinse and pat dry before adding to the salad.
Serving Tip: This salad is best served within an hour of preparation to maintain the freshest taste and texture.
Make Ahead: Prepare the nuts and dressing in advance to save time. Store the nuts in an airtight container and the dressing in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Apple Prep: If preparing the salad in advance, soak apple or pear slices in a saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per 1 cup water) for 5 minutes to prevent browning. Rinse and pat dry before adding to the salad.
Serving Tip: This salad is best served within an hour of preparation to maintain the freshest taste and texture.