Christmas Salad

Festive Christmas Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorite holiday recipes with you—My Christmas Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Every year, this salad steals the show at our family dinners. It’s colorful, refreshing, and perfectly festive with those bright red pomegranate seeds, juicy mandarin oranges, and creamy feta cheese. Oh, and the dressing? Absolutely dreamy—so creamy, sweet, and just plain delicious!

If you’re looking for a side dish to add a little balance to all the rich holiday food, this salad is it. Plus, it’s so easy to put together, which is a total win during the busy holiday season!

What Makes This Salad Special?

This salad is a holiday tradition in my house. I love how the vibrant greens, pops of red, and creamy white feta just scream “Christmas!” It’s not only beautiful but also light and refreshing—a great way to brighten up your dinner table. And that creamy poppy seed dressing? You might just find yourself licking the spoon.

This salad is also incredibly versatile, so you can tweak it to suit your tastes (or whatever you have in your fridge!).

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Salad:

• Spring Mix or your favorite greens
• Mandarin Oranges (fresh or canned both work!)
• Dried Cranberries
• Pomegranate Seeds (aka arils—so fancy, right?)
• Feta Cheese, crumbled
• Candied Walnuts or Pecans (these add the perfect crunch)

For the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing:

• Mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• Greek Yogurt
• Sugar (or your favorite sweetener)
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Poppy Seeds

Let’s Make It!

1. Assemble the Salad
   Start by layering your spring mix in a big, beautiful salad bowl. Add your mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and feta cheese. Sprinkle the candied walnuts or pecans on top for that perfect holiday crunch.
2. Whip Up the Dressing
   In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds. You can use greek yogurt instead of mayo if you’d like. Any way you make it, it is delicious on this Christmas Salad. Serve the dressing mixed in immediately or keep it in a jar in the fridge until ready to serve.
3. Put It All Together
   Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve it on the side so everyone can add as much (or as little) as they like.

A Great Way to Use Leftovers

This salad is a light side that complements a traditionally heavy ham or turkey dinner. However, it also jazzes up Thanksgiving leftovers like you wouldn’t believe! Sometimes, I add leftover shredded turkey or diced ham to the top and make it more of a main course. It’s so yummy.

Make It Your Own

One of the reasons I love this salad is how easy it is to customize. Here are some ideas to switch things up:

• Add fruit: If pomegranate seeds aren’t in season, try strawberries, raspberries, or diced apples.
• Add veggies: Oven roasted beets or pickled beets can also be a beautiful and flavorful addition!
• Swap the cheese: Goat cheese, blue cheese, or mozzarella are all great options.
• Go nuts: Almonds, sunflower seeds, or pistachios are yummy alternatives to candied walnuts or pecans.
• Boost the greens: Toss in some baby spinach or arugula for even more color and vitamins.
• Make it a meal: Add shredded pork, grilled chicken or steak, or even crispy bacon on top.
• Dressing: If Poppy Seed Dressing is not your favorite try our Cranberry Vinaigrette, Strawberry Balsamic Dressing, or Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing.
• Toppings: Top with some seasoning or shake on a little salt and pepper. Try adding a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice or orange juice or a drizzle of honey.

Fun Ways to Serve This Salad

• Wreath Style: Arrange the salad on a platter in the shape of a wreath and place the dressing in a bowl in the center. So festive!
• Buffet-Ready: Set up a little salad bar with all the toppings in separate bowls so guests can build their own perfect salad.
• Simple Elegance: Place the salad bowl inside a decorative Christmas wreath on your table. It’s such an easy way to make it feel extra special.

Questions About this Christmas Salad

Let’s Make This Holiday Extra Delicious!

I hope this Christmas Salad becomes as much a part of your holiday traditions as it is ours. It’s so easy, so pretty, and so delicious—I just know your family and friends will love it. I’d love to see how you make it your own! Comment to tell us below. 🙂

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Check out my Ultimate Christmas Dinner Guide for even more festive recipes. Happy holidays and happy eating!