Christmas Salad (Fresh, Festive & Ready in 20 Minutes)
This Christmas Salad is fresh, colorful, and ready in just 20 minutes. It features classic holiday ingredients like pecans, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, and dried cranberries, all tossed with baby spinach and creamy goat cheese. A homemade Honey-Mustard Lime Vinaigrette brings everything together with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. This salad pairs beautifully with holiday mains like ham, prime rib, turkey, or seafood and adds a bright, refreshing touch to your Christmas table.
Ingredients
Honey-Mustard Lime Vinaigrette
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⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
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3 tablespoons honey
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Juice of 1 large lime, freshly squeezed
Salad
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6 oz baby spinach
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1 cup pecan halves, toasted (some finely chopped)
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½ cup dried cranberries
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3 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
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⅓ cup goat cheese, crumbled
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⅓ cup pomegranate arils (or more, to taste)
Instructions
Make the Dressing
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Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and lime juice in a mason jar or small bowl.
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Whisk well until fully emulsified.
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Taste and adjust with more lime juice if desired.
Assemble the Salad
Option 1: Individual Bowls (Best for Presentation)
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Divide baby spinach among serving bowls.
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Top with pecans, cranberries, mandarin oranges, goat cheese, and pomegranate arils.
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Drizzle with the dressing just before serving.
Option 2: Large Serving Bowl
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Combine spinach, cranberries, mandarin oranges, and goat cheese in a large bowl.
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Add dressing and toss gently.
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Top with toasted pecans and pomegranate arils before serving.
Notes
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Toast the pecans for extra crunch and deeper flavor.
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Add dressing right before serving to keep the spinach fresh.
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Goat cheese can be swapped for feta or blue cheese if preferred.
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Use seedless mandarins for easy prep.
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Double the dressing if serving this salad as a main.