Description
A bright and festive Winter Christmas Salad made with crisp greens, juicy pomegranate seeds, sweet pears, creamy cheese, and smoky candied nuts—finished with a luscious honey mustard orange balsamic dressing. Perfect for holiday dinners, parties, or adding seasonal sparkle to any meal.
Ingredients
Candied Nuts & Seeds
1 1/2 cups raw walnut halves
1/2 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
Kosher salt
Chili flakes, to taste
Salad
6 cups assorted salad greens
2 cups curly endive (frisée)
1–2 apples or pears, chopped
2 avocados, sliced
2 cups pomegranate seeds
1 cup crumbled cheese (blue, goat, or feta)
Candied nuts from Step 1
Honey Mustard Orange Balsamic Dressing
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp fig preserves
2 tsp grated orange zest
2 tbsp orange juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Candy the Nuts
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey or maple syrup, chipotle, salt, and chili flakes.
Spread evenly and bake for 15 minutes, stirring once.
Remove and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Build the Salad
Add greens and frisée to a large bowl.
Top with apples or pears, avocado slices, and pomegranate seeds.
Sprinkle with crumbled cheese.
Add cooled candied nuts.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
Combine olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper.
Shake or whisk until smooth and emulsified.
Step 4: Finish & Serve
Drizzle dressing over salad just before serving.
Toss gently and enjoy!
Notes
Make nuts up to 5–7 days ahead for quick assembly.
Swap pears for apples or goat cheese for feta depending on preference.
Add grilled chicken or salmon for a heartier meal.
Dressing can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg