Description
Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad combines fresh spinach, tangy cranberries, and crunchy nuts with a sweet and savory dressing. This vibrant, festive salad is perfect for your holiday gatherings or as a light side dish to complement your Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 5 cups fresh spinach (washed and dried)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional for a non-vegan version)
- 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Nuts: Start by toasting the pecans or walnuts. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the nuts. Stir them frequently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach, dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted nuts. If you’re using cheese, add the crumbled feta or goat cheese as well.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately as a vibrant side dish to your holiday meal, or store it in the fridge for later use.
Notes
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and adds an extra crunch. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a quick shake before using.
- Add Fruit: For an extra burst of holiday flavor, add orange slices or pomegranate seeds to the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad, Holiday Salad, Vegan Christmas Salad, Spinach Salad, Festive Side Dish