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    Home » One Pot Recipes

    Christmas Salad (One Bowl)

    Published: Nov 30, 2020 · Modified: Jan 9, 2021 by Abeer Rizvi · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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    Quick and easy Christmas salad recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one bowl in 20 minutes. Loaded with spinach, cranberries, pecans and sweet honey poppyseed dressing. Also known as xmas salad.

    This bright and beautiful salad is the perfect addition to your holiday meal plan. It is loaded with flavor and color, and is on the lighter side compared to most traditional Christmas food. The red cranberries and green spinach feel so festive and merry. My Creamy Cranberry Salad (Cranberry Fluff) is another dish that is also perfect for your holiday spread.

    Tongs Full of Holiday Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing on White Background

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    How To Make Best Christmas Salad Recipe From Scratch?

    1. Make honey poppyseed dressing- Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, onion, mustard powder, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
    2. Add spinach- Toss until combined.
    3. Sprinkle toppings- Like chopped pecans and cranberries.
    4. Enjoy- Serve immediately.

    What To Serve With Best Green Christmas Salad?

    This salad is perfect with any classic holiday dinner meat/proteins such as:

    • Slow Cooker Ham
    • Roast Turkey Breast (One Pan)
    • Chicken and Potatoes (One Pot)
    • Easy Thanksgiving Turkey (One Pan)
    • Whole chicken
    • Spatchcock chicken
    • Steak

    It also pairs perfectly with any of these other sandwiches:

    • Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich (One Pot)
    • Turkey Salad Sandwich (One Pot)

    Soup and salad is another great combination. Serve it with any of the following:

    • Turkey Noodle Soup
    • Carrot Ginger Soup (One Pot)
    • Sweet Potato Soup (One Pot)
    • Curried Butternut Squash Soup (One Pot)
    • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    Closeup Shot of Christmas Salad with Pecans and Cranberries

    Storage

    Refrigerate- I don’t recommend storing leftovers for later because if the vinaigrette has already been mixed with the spinach, it will become soggy over time.

    Freeze- Salads cannot be frozen because of the water content and wilting of the leaves upon thawing. The salad dressing, however, can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and then, whisk it again, prior to using it.

    Make ahead- You can store the spinach, dressing and toppings (cranberries and pecans) separately for 2 days in the fridge and mix right before serving.

    Variations For Festive Holiday Salad

    Topping options- Try as candied nuts, pine nuts, chopped apples, or dried cherries.

    Pasta salad- Add cooked pasta such as ditalini, elbow, shells, orzo.

    Add pomegranate seeds- For additional texture, color, and flavor.

    Add quinoa- Add ½ cup cooked quinoa for a heartier salad.

    Add other greens- Add spring mix salad, kale, or even a little arugula and romaine.

    Add cheese- Such as goat cheese, Gorgonzola, or shredded mozzarella.

    Add protein- Such as rotisserie chicken, turkey, or even cubed ham. All the meat should be cooked through.

    Add chickpeas or beans– For added vegetarian protein!

    Tips And Techniques

    Serve immediately- Because this prevents the salad from wilting and becoming soggy.

    Wash and dry spinach– If you are washing the spinach, be sure to pat it dry to prevent the dish from becoming too “watery.” You can also use a salad spinner to dry the salad.

    Adjust seasoning– Add more or less according to taste.

    Adjust the amount of dressing- Add more or less according to your preference.

    You must use apple cider vinegar- It cannot be replaced with regular distilled vinegar because it does not have the same sweetness as the apple cider version.

    Use high quality olive oil– Because this provides the best flavor in the salad dressing!

    Christmas Salad in Glass Salad Bowl on White Background

    What is a good salad for Christmas dinner?

    Although today's salad with spinach, pecans, cranberries is the best choice, here are some other options:

    • Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy seed Dressing (One Bowl)
    • Italian Tortellini Salad (One Bowl)
    • Basil Pesto Pasta Salad (One Bowl)
    • Cucumber Tomato Salad (One Bowl)
    • Creamy Grape Salad (One Bowl)
    • Waldorf Salad (One Bowl)

    Recipe

    Easy Homemade Christmas Salad in Glass Bowl on White Background

    One Pot Christmas Salad

    Abeer Rizvi
    Quick and easy Christmas salad recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one bowl in 20 minutes. Loaded with spinach, cranberries, pecans and sweet honey poppyseed dressing.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 People
    Calories 118 kcal

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    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup Olive oil
    • ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
    • 3 tablespoon Honey
    • 1 tablespoon Onion Finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Dried mustard powder Or Dijon mustard
    • 1-2 teaspoon Poppy seeds Adjust according to your preference
    • Salt To taste
    • Pepper To taste
    • 1 bag Spinach 16 oz. bag
    • ¾ cup Pecans Roughly chopped
    • ¾ cup Cranberries Dried, Sweetened

    Instructions
     

    • In a large salad bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, honey, onion, mustard powder, poppy seeds, salt, pepper.
    • Whisk for at least 1 minute until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and fragrant.
    • Add spinach and toss everything together until combined.
    • Sprinkle chopped pecans and cranberries on top.
    • Serve immediately and enjoy.

    Notes

    • Read all my tips above.
    • Tastes best when served immediately. I don’t recommend storing leftovers for later because if the vinaigrette has already been mixed with the spinach, it will become soggy over time.
    • You can store the spinach, poppy seed dressing, toppings (cranberries and pecans) separately for 2 days in the fridge and mix right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 160mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 3362IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg

    An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or rate and tag @1potrecipes on social
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    Comments

    1. Ammie says

      December 14, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      If you make them into a pasta salad, do you still use the same amount of spinach?

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        December 14, 2020 at 9:25 pm

        I would reduce the quantity by half.

        Reply
    2. Linda kavanaugh says

      December 17, 2020 at 8:25 am

      What kind of cranberries. Fresh?cooked,?dried.?What.

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        December 17, 2020 at 11:44 am

        Dried cranberries.

        Reply
    3. Cheryl Oatts says

      January 01, 2021 at 1:44 am

      This salad was simple to make and outstanding. I substituted agave for the honey and dried cherries for the dried cranberries.  5 stars

      Reply
    4. Theresa M. Croce says

      January 29, 2021 at 10:41 am

      This salad is delicious! I substituted Romain lettuce since I was having spinach with my dinner. The substitution was fine. Everyone raved about the salad and requested the recipe. Definitely a hit!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Pam Halsey says

      December 22, 2023 at 5:10 pm

      Great salad and amazing dressing! 5 stars

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Abeer!

    Recipe developer. Photographer. Mommy & Foodie. Welcome to OnePot Recipes, a place where I share my love for cooking using One Pot, Instant Pot and Stock Pot!

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