Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Chef Josie
If you’re searching for a fresh, colorful, and crowd-pleasing dish to brighten your holiday menu, this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is exactly what your table needs. With tender baby spinach, chewy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a vibrant homemade vinaigrette, this festive salad brings together everything we love about holiday flavors, sweetness, tang, crunch, and freshness.
For years, my holiday dinners felt incomplete without something crisp and refreshing to balance out the hearty mains. Then one Christmas, a family friend brought a cranberry spinach salad that disappeared before guests even made it to the ham. Since then, this salad has become one of my most-requested Christmas dinner side dishes, a staple at Thanksgiving, and a go-to recipe for winter potlucks.
It’s simple, elegant, and incredibly versatile, ideal for anyone wanting holiday salads Christmas, winter salad recipes, or a beautiful green dish to break up the comfort-food marathon of December.
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Table of Contents
Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A festive and refreshing spinach salad with dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and a bright homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for Christmas dinner or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
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8 cups baby spinach
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3/4 cup dried cranberries
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1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
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1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
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2 tbsp finely minced red onion
Dressing:
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1/4 cup olive oil
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tbsp honey
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Add spinach to a serving bowl.
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Top with cranberries, almonds, sesame seeds, and red onion.
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Whisk dressing ingredients until emulsified.
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Drizzle dressing on top just before serving.
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Toss gently and serve immediately.
Notes
Add feta or goat cheese for extra richness.
For fruit variations, add apples or mandarin slices.
Prepare dressing ahead but toss salad just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Party Food
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 185 per serving
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad
- Fresh, bright flavors that pair with any holiday meal
- Naturally festive colors; deep green spinach and jewel-bright cranberries
- Quick to prepare and perfect for last-minute gatherings
- Easily customizable with cheese, fruit, nuts, or grains
- Healthy yet satisfying, ideal for balancing richer dishes
- A perfect choice for Xmas salads recipes, cranberry salads, and holiday salad recipes
Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad
Baby Spinach: Tender, mild, and perfect as the fresh base.
Dried Cranberries: Offer sweet, chewy texture and classic holiday flavor.
Sliced Almonds: Provide crunch. Toast them for extra depth and aroma.
Red Onion (Optional): Adds tang and balance when thinly minced.
Sesame Seeds (Optional): A subtle nutty flavor and delicate texture.
Dressing Ingredients (Homemade Vinaigrette)
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Minced shallot or red onion
- Salt and pepper
This dressing is zesty, slightly sweet, and the perfect complement to spinach and cranberries.
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad
1. Prep the Spinach
Rinse and pat dry the spinach thoroughly. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing.
2. Add the Mix-Ins
Scatter dried cranberries, toasted sliced almonds, and sesame seeds over the spinach. Add minced onion if using.
3. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and minced shallot until fully emulsified.
4. Dress the Salad
Drizzle dressing over the spinach mixture just before serving to keep the greens crisp and vibrant.
5. Toss and Serve
Gently toss until everything is evenly coated, then plate immediately.
Notes & Top Tips
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet for extra flavor in under 3 minutes.
- Keep dressing separate until serving if preparing in advance.
- For added richness, sprinkle in crumbled feta or goat cheese.
- Add fresh apple slices or mandarin orange segments for a fruity twist.
- Use baby spinach for the best texture; mature spinach can be tougher.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
- Serve with Christmas ham, turkey, roast beef, or salmon.
- Add farro, quinoa, or couscous to make it a hearty winter salad.
- Swap dried cranberries for pomegranate arils.
- Turn it into a Christmas pasta salad by adding cooked rotini.
- Add chopped pears, Honeycrisp apples, or fresh berries for a more fruit-forward dish.
- For a creamier dressing, whisk in a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store salad ingredients separately for up to 2 days.
- Toss with dressing only right before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Dressing keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- If leftovers are already dressed, eat within 4–6 hours for best texture.
Why You’ll Make Them Again
This Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a refreshing, colorful, and festive addition to any holiday meal. With simple ingredients and bold seasonal flavors, it’s sure to become a new favorite for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and beyond. If you give it a try, leave a review and check out my other Christmas salad recipes and holiday dinner inspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, chop ingredients and store separately. Add dressing when ready to serve.
2. What cheese pairs well with this salad?
Feta, goat cheese, parmesan curls, or blue cheese all complement cranberries beautifully.
3. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are too tart raw, but sugared cranberries or roasted ones work well.
4. How do I keep the spinach crisp?
Dry it thoroughly and dress the salad only at the very last moment.
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