Description

This Ultimate Christmas Salad is a festive holiday showstopper featuring jewel-toned pomegranate seeds, creamy avocado, and sweet candied nuts. It’s a refreshing, colorful side that balances hearty holiday meals with vibrant flavor and nutritional goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ cups raw, unsalted walnuts
½ cup pumpkin seeds, unshelled
⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
¼ tsp chipotle powder
Pinch of salt
6 cups mixed salad greens
2 cups frisée leaves
1–2 apples or pears, diced
2 ripe avocados, sliced
2 cups pomegranate seeds
1 cup crumbled cheese (blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese)
⅓ cup virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp fig jam
2 tsp orange zest
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: chili flakes

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine walnuts, pumpkin seeds, honey or maple syrup, chipotle powder, and salt. Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway. Cool completely.
Wash and dry salad greens and frisée thoroughly. Combine in a large bowl.
Dice apples or pears and slice avocados just before serving to prevent browning.
Whisk olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, and juice in a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if desired.
Assemble the salad: layer greens, fruit, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and cheese. Top with candied nuts and seeds.
Drizzle with dressing or serve dressing on the side. Toss gently just before serving.

Notes

For best results, prepare the candied nuts and dressing ahead of time and assemble the salad right before serving. To keep avocados fresh, brush slices with lemon juice. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Tossing and Baking
Cuisine: Holiday / Christmas

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 19g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: christmas salad, holiday salad, pomegranate salad, festive salad, avocado salad, candied nut salad