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Cozy Cranberry Pecan Christmas Salad: Best Holiday Side

cozy cranberry pecan Christmas salad - featured image
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A festive and refreshing holiday salad featuring tart fresh cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, creamy feta, and a bright maple-citrus dressing. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s the perfect light and colorful side dish for Christmas dinner or any winter gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces fresh spinach (about 5 cups)
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup pomegranate arils (optional)
  • ¼ cup shaved Parmesan (optional)
  • 1 cup grilled chicken, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toast the pecans: Place a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans in a single layer. Toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from pan immediately and let cool completely.
  2. Make the dressing: In a small jar or bowl, combine olive oil, maple syrup, fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Prep the fresh ingredients: Rinse fresh cranberries and pick out any soft or bruised ones. Thinly slice the red onion. If sensitive to raw onion, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes. Crumble feta cheese if using a block.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine fresh spinach, fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, sliced red onion, and crumbled feta. Add any optional add-ins if using.
  5. Dress and toss: Give the dressing one more shake or whisk. Drizzle about half over the salad and gently toss until spinach is lightly coated. Add more dressing as needed—aim for a light glaze, not a puddle.
  6. Serve immediately: Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle extra toasted pecans and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. Serve right away while spinach is crisp and pecans are crunchy.

Notes

Toast pecans in a dry pan—no oil needed. Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid watery dressing. Make dressing ahead of time for better flavor. Don’t overdress the salad; start with half the dressing. For best texture, dress only what you’ll eat immediately. Store undressed components separately in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas salad, cranberry pecan salad, holiday salad, festive salad, winter salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/cozy-cranberry-pecan-christmas-salad-best-holiday-side/