If you’re looking for a festive, fresh, and utterly delicious way to brighten up your holiday table, this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s a delightful mix of crisp baby spinach, sweet dried cranberries, tangy feta, and crunchy almonds that come together with a perfectly balanced honeyed apple cider vinaigrette. Every bite bursts with holiday cheer, making it not just a salad but a celebration of flavors and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe. Each component is simple yet essential, bringing its own unique pop of taste, texture, and color to create that perfect festive harmony.
- Fresh baby spinach leaves: The soft, vibrant base that adds a fresh green color and mild flavor to balance the salad.
- Dried cranberries: Sweet and tart, these add a festive pop of red and a chewy bite.
- Crumbled feta cheese: Tangy and creamy, feta adds a lovely salty contrast that elevates the salad.
- Toasted slivered almonds: Provide a satisfying crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor to complement the other ingredients.
- Red apple: Thinly sliced for a crisp, juicy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cranberries.
- Red onion: Thin slices bring a little sharp bite and vibrant color to the mix.
- Olive oil: A smooth, fruity base for the dressing that helps to blend all the flavors.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds tang and brightness to the dressing that wakes up the palate.
- Honey: Balances the tartness with a gentle touch of natural sweetness.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that tie everything together and enhance the salad’s flavor complexity.
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Step 1: Combine fresh spinach and red onion
Start by grabbing a large salad bowl and adding your fresh baby spinach leaves along with the thinly sliced red onion. This pairing forms a fresh and vibrant foundation, with the spinach’s mild flavor perfectly countered by the onion’s gentle bite.
Step 2: Add thinly sliced red apple
Next, add the crisp, thin slices of red apple on top of your spinach and onion base. This introduces a juicy sweetness and a lovely crunch that really lifts the salad’s texture profile.
Step 3: Sprinkle dried cranberries
Scatter the dried cranberries evenly over the salad mixture. Their tart flavor and chewy texture add a festive flair and beautiful bursts of red against the green spinach.
Step 4: Add feta cheese and toasted almonds
Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted slivered almonds over the salad. The feta brings a creamy saltiness while the almonds add a rich crunch that makes this salad stand out.
Step 5: Whisk together the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This simple dressing offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and tang that perfectly complements the salad’s ingredients.
Step 6: Drizzle the dressing
Pour the freshly made dressing evenly over the entire salad. The drizzle is key to marrying all the vibrant flavors together into one harmonious bite.
Step 7: Toss salad gently
Gently toss all the salad ingredients to coat them thoroughly with the dressing while keeping the textures intact. This step ensures each mouthful delivers a balanced mix of flavor and crunch.
Step 8: Serve immediately
Enjoy your Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe right away to experience the freshness and bright flavors at their best. This salad is a showstopper as a holiday starter or a festive side dish.
How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of holiday magic, sprinkle some pomegranate seeds or an extra handful of toasted nuts on top before serving. Fresh herbs like chopped mint or parsley also provide a lovely aromatic finish that elevates the salad visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even grilled chicken. Its bright and fresh profile cuts through richer main dishes, creating a perfectly balanced holiday plate that everyone will enjoy.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe in individual clear glass bowls or on festive plates to show off those gorgeous colors? You could also layer the ingredients in a large glass trifle bowl for a stunning holiday centerpiece that invites guests to dig right in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This helps maintain the freshness and crispness of the spinach and apples, preventing the salad from becoming soggy.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well because the spinach and apples lose their texture when thawed. For the happiest flavors and textures, avoid freezing.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not recommended. Instead, prepare the salad fresh before serving to keep all the vibrant flavors and textures intact.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While feta is traditional here, goat cheese or blue cheese can add their own wonderful tangy notes. Just pick one that matches your taste preferences.
Is it possible to substitute fresh spinach?
Yes, baby kale or mixed baby greens can be great alternatives if you want a slightly different flavor and texture but still want to keep the salad fresh and vibrant.
Can I prepare the dressing in advance?
Definitely. The dressing can be whisked together a day ahead and stored in the fridge, just give it a good shake or stir before drizzling over the salad.
Are toasted almonds necessary?
The toasted almonds add a beautiful crunch and warm nutty flavor, but if you have nut allergies or prefer something else, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds make excellent substitutes.
How long does this salad stay fresh once made?
Once tossed with dressing, it’s best enjoyed within a few hours as the spinach and apples tend to soften over time. For the freshest experience, serve immediately after preparing.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe that makes it a must-have on your holiday menu. With its perfect balance of sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy elements, it’s a colorful celebration of flavors that feels like a warm holiday hug on a plate. Give it a try this season—you’ll be creating new festive traditions with every delicious bite!
Print
Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a fresh and festive dish combining baby spinach, tart dried cranberries, crisp red apples, and tangy feta cheese. Toasted slivered almonds add a delightful crunch, all brought together with a homemade honey apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a light, refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/2 large red apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Spinach and Onion. In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach leaves with the thinly sliced red onion to start building your salad base.
- Add Apple and Toss. Add the thinly sliced red apple and gently toss to mix with the spinach and onions, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Sprinkle Cranberries. Evenly sprinkle the dried cranberries over the salad mixture to add a sweet tartness.
- Add Feta and Almonds. Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese and toasted slivered almonds, distributing them evenly for crunch and creaminess.
- Prepare Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a smooth and tangy dressing.
- Dress the Salad. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad to bring all flavors together.
- Toss Ingredients. Gently toss all ingredients until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, being careful not to bruise the spinach leaves.
- Serve Immediately. Serve the salad right away to enjoy its fresh, vibrant flavors and crisp textures at their best.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp baby spinach for best texture.
- For extra crunch, toast the almonds lightly before adding.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor.
- If you prefer a less sweet dressing, reduce the honey to 1/2 tablespoon.
- Dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting.
