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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Salad

Easy Christmas Salad

Nov 15, 2024 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 25 Comments

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Diet: Gluten Free / Vegetarian
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Easy Christmas Salad with a text title overlay.

A base of mixed greens, some clementines and cranberry, chunks of beetroot and a sweet pomegranate dressing. This Christmas Salad is a must on any festive dinner table this year. This is a super Easy Christmas Salad recipe to put together, and it's made up of ingredients you probably already have in your fridge leftover from other meals.

A bowl of salad next to some Christmas decorations.

About this Christmas Salad

This Christmas Salad is full of flavour and texture, and it has a little something for everyone. A bed of spinach, rocket (arugula) and shredded sprouts (trust us on this one), then some chunks of beetroot and clementine segments.

All brought together with a sweet dressing made with honey and pomegranate molasses. Finally, it's topped with flaked almonds, dried cranberries and some crumbled goats cheese. The ultimate festive salad!

Sometimes Christmas food can feel a bit heavy, so this lightens things up a little with lots of flavour and it is a great salad recipe for Christmas to feed a hungry crowd as it's easy to double or triple. Just make sure you have a bowl big enough to serve it in! It's easy to make vegan too.

Looking for some other festive side dishes to try? Why not try our Honey Roasted Parsnips, Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Easy Cauliflower Cheese?

Jump to:
  • About this Christmas Salad
  • Ingredients and Variations
  • How to Make a Christmas Salad - Step by Step
  • Christmas Salad Dressing
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Salad Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Variations

"What doesn't go into this Christmas salad" would probably be the easier question! We have used all our favourite festive ingredients, and things we would usually find in our fridge and cupboard at Christmas time anyway, so we don't have to buy anything special.

  • Greens - The greens are really the base of the salad, that everything is built on top of. We went with a mixture of raw spinach, rocket (arugula) and shredded Brussels sprouts. Don't leave just yet - trust us on this! You can shred them up really fine, and even the biggest sprout haters won't know they are there. You can change up the greens in lots of different ways and use your favourites or whatever you have leftover. Romaine, iceberg and little gem work well when it comes to lettuces and you could swap the spinach for kale, but make sure to massage kale first to soften it.
  • Fruit and veg - As if the green base wasn't enough, we have added even more goodness. Chunks of cooked beetroot make it nice and filling, and segments of clementine lighten it up a little and add some sweetness to this Christmas salad. You could add chunks of roasted veg that you might have leftover from your Christmas dinner and add some slices of apple too.
  • Dressing - This is a really simple dressing, with a touch of sweetness to take the edge off the bitterness of the raw greens. Read below for all the details on our new favourite festive dressing.
  • Toppings - We are all about the toppings, and not only do they add extra flavour, but texture too. We used some flaked almonds, dried cranberries and then some crumbled goat's cheese. You could use walnuts or pecans instead of almonds and swap the dried cranberries for raisins or dried cherries. Got some Stilton leftover from your Christmas cheeseboard? Use that instead of the goat's cheese.

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

How to Make a Christmas Salad - Step by Step

A small blue bowl containing a salad dressing.
  1. Step 1: Put all the dressing ingredients in another bowl and mix well.
A large metal bowl containing salad leaves.
  1. Step 2: Put the greens into a large bowl.
A large metal bowl containing salad leaves, clementine segments and beetroot chunks.
  1. Step 3: Put the beetroot and clementines in the bowl with the greens and pour over the dressing and mix well.
A bowl of salad leaves, clementine segments, beetroot, goats cheese and almonds.
  1. Step 4: Put into a serving bowl and add the almonds, cranberries and goat's cheese.

Christmas Salad Dressing

This Christmas salad recipe has so much going for it, but really it is the dressing that brings it to life.

We used a basic olive oil and apple cider vinegar with salt and pepper base and then added some finely diced shallots, a squeeze of the best quality honey we could find and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.

If you haven't tried pomegranate molasses before, get yourself a bottle. Not only does it add loads of flavour to salad dressings, but you can use it to sweeten iced tea, as a glaze on salmon or meat, mix it into dips or just drizzle it on roasted vegetables. It has so many uses.

If you want to make this dressing a little more special, and festive, add a splash of champagne to it.

Serving Suggestions

We love serving this up with some roast meat and plenty of potatoes. Here are some recipes to choose from:

  • Slow Cooker Roast Beef
  • Easy Hasselback Potatoes
  • The BEST Roast Chicken
  • Easy Roast Potatoes
  • Honey Roast Duck
  • Garlic Smashed Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  • Vegetable Mash
Salad leaves topped with clementines, beetroot, goats cheese, almonds and cranberries.

Extra Tips

  • If you want to make this in advance, then prepare everything separately and then dress it just before serving so the salad doesn't go soggy.
  • You can shred the sprouts with a knife, or you can put them in a food processor to shred really fine.
  • Use leftover pomegranate molasses for dips, meat glazes or mixed into dips.
  • You can swap the almonds for walnuts or pecans and swap the dried cranberries for raisins or dried cherries.
  • Not a fan of shredded sprouts or rocket lettuce? You could use kale, iceberg or romaine instead for the greens base.
  • To make this salad vegan, leave out the cheese (or use a vegan alternative) and swap the honey for maple syrup.
  • Make the most of Christmas leftovers and toss some leftover shredded turkey into this.
  • Why not get creative with this salad and form it so it looks like a wreath. Put the dressing in a small bowl in the middle and build the greens around it and then "decorate" it with the toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a Christmas salad in advance?

Yes, this is a good dish to prepare in advance, so you have less to do on the big day. Put all of the greens, fruit and vegetables together, make the dressing up and get the toppings together and then keep them all separate.
About 30 minutes before you are ready to serve the salad, mix everything together. Don't dress the salad in advance, because the salad will get soggy.

How to store

An undressed salad will store in an air tight container for up to 2 days. If you have already dressed the salad and you have leftovers, then it will keep for up to 24 hours, but it might get a little soggy.

How to make a vegan Christmas salad.

To make this vegan, leave out the cheese or use your favourite vegan alternative. Make sure that no honey is used in the dressing either.

More Salad Recipes

  • Beetroot and Goat's Cheese Salad on a wooden surface.
    Beetroot and Goat's Cheese Salad
  • Broccoli Salad on a wooden serving plate next to a yellow towel.
    Broccoli Salad
  • Warm Lamb Salad on a large white serving platter.
    Warm Lamb Salad
  • Easy pear salad on a plate next to a blue towel.
    Easy Pear Salad

If you’ve tried this Christmas Salad recipe, please leave a comment below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

A bowl of easy Christmas salad.

Easy Christmas Salad

By: Dannii Martin
The perfect addition to a festive menu: Christmas Salad made with mixed greens, beetroot, clementines and cranberries, finished with a pomegranate dressing.
A circular logo saying GF.
Gluten Free
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.84 from 31 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: British
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 257kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of four different nuts.
Nuts
An illustration of a wine glass.
Sulphites

Ingredients

  • 40 g (2 cups) Rocket (arugula)
  • 50 g (1.66 cups) Spinach
  • 10 Brussels sprouts - shredded
  • 1 Clementine - peeled and de-segmented
  • 10 g (1 tablespoon) Flaked almonds
  • 20 g (0.25 cups) Dried cranberries
  • 2 Cooked beetroot
  • 40 g (0.25 cups) Goat's cheese - crumbled
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1 pinch Sea salt
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper
  • 2 Shallots - finely diced
  • 2 tablespoon Pomegranate molasses

Instructions

  • Put 3 tablespoon Olive oil, 3 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Honey, 2 tablespoon Pomegranate molasses, 2 Shallots and 1 pinch Sea salt into a bowl and mix well.
  • Put 40 g Rocket (arugula), 50 g Spinach and 10 Brussels sprouts into a large bowl.
  • Put 2 Cooked beetroot and 1 Clementine into the bowl with the greens and pour over the dressing and mix well.
  • Put in a serving bowl and top with 10 g Flaked almonds, 20 g Dried cranberries and 40 g Goat's cheese.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want to make this in advance, then prepare everything separately and then dress it just before serving so the salad doesn't go soggy.
  • You can shred the sprouts with a knife, or you can put them in a food processor to shred really fine.
  • Use leftover pomegranate molasses for dips, meat glazes or mixed in to dips.
  • You can swap the almonds for walnuts or pecans and swap the dried cranberries for raisins or dried cherries.
  • Not a fan of shredded sprouts or rocket lettuce? You could use kale, iceberg or romain instead for the greens base.
  • To make this salad vegan, leave out the cheese (or use a vegan alternative) and swap the honey for maple syrup.
  • Make the most of Christmas leftovers and toss some leftover shredded turkey in to this.
  • Why not get creative with this salad and form it so it looks like a wreath. Put the dressing in a small bowl in the middle and build the greens around it and then "decorate" it with the toppings.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1885IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Angela says

    December 19, 2019 at 10:23 am

    5 stars
    I made this for an early Christmas celebration yesterday and it was a hit. I only wish I had of made more as everyone wanted extra.

    Reply
  2. Jessica Formicola says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    We made this salad for dinner last night and it was wonderful! We will definitely be making it again for Christmas!

    Reply
  3. MARISA says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:39 pm

    5 stars
    Such a healthy, veggie packed salad! Thanks for sharing this delicious combination!

    Reply
  4. Pam Greer says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is a family favorite! It taste delicious and looks so festive on the table!

    Reply
  5. Alexandra says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious salad - love all of the flavours, textures and colours. Perfect festive side dish!

    Reply
  6. Adrianne says

    December 04, 2019 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious looking Christmas salad! I love how bright and colourful it is. You are just about not dressing it till you are ready to serve, get advice, cheers!

    Reply
  7. Neha says

    December 03, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Such a vibrant and pretty Christmas salad recipe! Loved all your useful tips to make it a success.

    Reply
  8. Irina says

    December 02, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    This colorful and flavorful salad is a must make holiday salad. LOVE it. Bookmarking for later.

    Reply
  9. Beth says

    December 02, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    5 stars
    Saving this for the holiday! Completely obsessed with pomegranate and love the idea of it being in a dressing!

    Reply
  10. Jessica Formicola says

    December 02, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    5 stars
    I love all of these bright colors and flavors! I can't wait to make this for Christmas!

    Reply
  11. Beth says

    December 02, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a beautiful salad! Fresh and flavorful is just what my holiday guests will love!

    Reply
  12. Alison says

    December 02, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is gorgeous. I love all the colors of Christmas with the beets, cranberries, and greens. I'm bookmarking this to make for our Christmas dinner.

    Reply
  13. Anita says

    December 02, 2019 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    I love how colorful and festive looking this salad is, and so easy to put together, and can be make ahead in advance. Win, win, and win. :)

    Reply
  14. Justine says

    December 02, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is so colorful and tasty! Perfect for serving at Christmas.

    Reply
  15. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

    December 02, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    I definitely need more veggies this time of year, and this salad looks so vibrant and satisfying!

    Reply
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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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