Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing: Bright, Festive, and Perfect for Holiday Dinners

Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by Chef Josie

There’s something magical about serving a vibrant, fresh, and colorful salad alongside a rich holiday feast. This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing brings together everything you love about winter flavors: crisp greens, juicy citrus, sweet pomegranate seeds, crunchy almonds, and tangy feta, all drizzled with a bright, silky homemade honey mustard dressing that ties everything together beautifully.

This is the kind of salad that stands out on the holiday table, not as an afterthought, but as a festive centerpiece in its own right. Whether you’re hosting a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, planning Christmas dinner side dishes, or looking for refreshing holiday salad recipes, this salad is a perfect match. It’s cheerful, nourishing, and visually stunning, making it a favorite for both Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

My family originally started making this salad as a way to balance out classic heavier dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, and casseroles. Today, it has become a holiday tradition, something everyone expects before the meal begins. With its bright flavors and simple prep, it’s a dish you’ll want to bring to potlucks, dinner parties, or any winter celebration.

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

• A festive blend of winter produce and seasonal flavors
• Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy
• Easy to assemble and customizable for any holiday meal
• Serves beautifully alongside turkey, ham, and roast beef
• Works as a main-course salad with the addition of protein
• A gorgeous addition to holiday tables, buffets, or potlucks
• Ideal for anyone looking for fresh Christmas salad ideas, winter salad recipes, or a stunning festive salad

Ingredients for Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Mixed Greens or Spring Mix: Provides a tender, flavorful base with great color contrast.

Mandarin Oranges: Bring juicy sweetness and a classic holiday feel. Fresh segments or drained canned mandarins both work well.

Pomegranate Arils: Add intense bursts of flavor and gorgeous ruby color.

Sliced Almonds: Offer toasted crunch and nuttiness. Pecans or walnuts can be substituted.

Feta Cheese: Adds creamy saltiness that complements the sweetness of fruit. Goat cheese works too.

Red Onion (optional): Thin slices for subtle bite and flavor balance.

Honey Mustard Dressing Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt and black pepper

This simple dressing brings tangy sweetness and richness that enhances every ingredient.

How to Make Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

1. Prepare the Base

Add mixed greens to a large salad bowl. Use a wide wooden or serving bowl for the most beautiful presentation.

2. Add the Fruit

Arrange mandarin orange slices and pomegranate arils across the greens. Their color and shine give the salad a true holiday look.

3. Add Crunch and Creaminess

Sprinkle sliced almonds and crumbled feta over the top. Add thinly sliced red onion if desired.

4. Make the Honey Mustard Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.

5. Dress the Salad

Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Alternatively, serve the dressing on the side to maintain crispness.

6. Toss and Serve

Gently toss to coat all the ingredients, or leave beautifully arranged for individual self-serving.

Notes & Top Tips

• Toast the almonds in a dry pan for extra depth and aroma.
• Add the dressing only when ready to serve to keep greens fresh and crisp.
• Use a mix of baby spinach and arugula for added flavor.
• Swap mandarins for sliced Honeycrisp or Gala apples for a Christmas apple salad variation.
• To make ahead, assemble ingredients separately and store in airtight containers.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

• Serve as a starter for Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving meals.
• Add cooked quinoa, roasted chicken, or salmon to turn it into a main dish.
• Include dried cranberries for a winter cranberry salad twist.
• Add pistachios for a more festive color palette.
• Create a Christmas pasta salad by mixing in cooked rotini or farfalle.
• Add avocado for extra creaminess.
• For a tangier finish, substitute the cheese with crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Store ingredients separately for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
• Add dressing right before serving; tossed salad lasts up to 12 hours in the fridge.
• Pomegranate arils and peeled mandarins can be stored up to 3–4 days in airtight containers.
• Dressing lasts up to 1 week refrigerated; shake before using.

Why You’ll Make Them Again

This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is everything a holiday dish should be: fresh, colorful, seasonal, and full of flavor. It pairs beautifully with any winter meal and adds brightness to rich holiday menus. If you try this recipe, leave a rating, share your experience, and explore more holiday salad recipes and festive sides on the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, prepare ingredients but keep dressing separate until serving.

2. What greens work best?
Spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, or a combination.

3. What if I don’t have pomegranate arils?
Use dried cranberries, cherries, or sliced grapes instead.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, omit the feta or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative.

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