Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette
This Christmas Salad has quickly become a holiday favorite, and it’s easy to see why!
With vibrant mandarin oranges, juicy pomegranate, and crunchy almonds, all tossed together with creamy feta cheese, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh.
The homemade Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette is the secret that ties it all together, adding a tangy, flavorful kick to every bite.
Quick to prepare, super festive, and guaranteed to impress, this salad is a must-have on your holiday table!
For Christmas Salad
- Spring Greens – A fresh and crisp base for this vibrant salad.
- Sliced Almonds – Adds a nice crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Feta Cheese – Creamy and tangy, balances the sweetness of the fruit.
- Mandarin Oranges – Sweet and juicy segments that add a burst of flavor.
- Pomegranate Arils – Sweet and tart, they bring a pop of color and flavor.
For Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette
- Minced Garlic – A touch of aromatic sharpness to kick off the dressing.
- Champagne Vinegar – Adds a subtle acidity that pairs perfectly with honey.
- Honey – Sweetens the vinaigrette with a natural, smooth sweetness.
- Dijon Mustard – Adds tang and depth to the dressing.
- Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper – Enhances all the flavors with a pinch of seasoning.
- Olive Oil – Used as the base of the dressing, providing richness and balance.
Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 12 ounces fresh spring greens
- â…” cup sliced almonds
- â…” cup crumbled feta cheese
- 4 seedless mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 pomegranate, seeded
Instructions:
- Make the Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually add olive oil while whisking continuously until fully combined.
- Prepare the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the spring greens, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin orange segments, and pomegranate arils.
- Toss the Salad:
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh, seedless mandarin oranges, though canned mandarins can be used in a pinch.
- Pomegranate arils are the red seeds inside a pomegranate, filled with sweet juice surrounding a white seed. These can be bought fresh or pre-seeded at the store, especially in late fall and winter months.
- Substitute the feta cheese with Parmesan, goat cheese, or blue cheese if preferred.
- This salad is also delicious with a honey poppy seed dressing if you’d like to switch it up.
Nutrition
Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 806mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 3858IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 2mg Â
- Can I prep the salad ingredients ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the mandarin oranges, pomegranate arils, and toasted almonds up to a day in advance. Just store them in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to toss them into the salad.
- How long can I store the dressing?
The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Before using, give it a good shake to bring everything back together!
- Is it okay to assemble the salad before serving?
It’s best to assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh and crisp. If you need to prep ahead, combine the spring greens, nuts, fruits, and cheese, but keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
- Can I use a different type of cheese or nuts in the salad?
Of course! Feel free to swap the feta cheese for goat cheese, Parmesan, or blue cheese. As for the nuts, candied pecans, walnuts, or cashews are great alternatives to sliced almonds.
- How should I store any leftover salad?
If you have leftover salad (without dressing), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The salad is best eaten within a day to maintain freshness. However, dressed salad doesn’t store well, as the dressing can make the greens soggy.
