25 Best Christmas Salads That Are Merry and Bright
It's a fresh way to balance out all those comforting dishes!
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Christmas dinner menus are packed to the brim with comfort food dishes, like mashed potatoes, ham, casserole recipes, and more. So, if you want to add a pop of freshness to balance things out, look no further than these Christmas salad recipes. Here, you'll find ways to make your holiday meal bright and merry. Try a classic Caesar salad or Ree Drummond's favorite kale citrus salad with a spicy kick. Looking for a Christmas salad that's hearty enough to feed a crowd? Check out the holiday wild rice salad or the chicken Waldorf salad that's perfect for a Christmas brunch.
Here, you'll find tons of Christmas salad recipes to serve as a Christmas appetizer or Christmas side, including classic salads, creative salads, and some of the best Pioneer Woman salad recipes of all time. For instance, Ree's Caprese salad is a family favorite and her ranch chopped salad would make a refreshing accompaniment to your Christmas ham. There are also tons of ways to let seasonal winter produce shine—add some roasted butternut squash, shaved Brussels sprouts, or even citrus fruits to your bed of greens. With plenty of tasty mix-ins, like dried cranberries and crunchy salad toppers, these Christmas salads are sure to be a hit. Don't forget a drizzle of salad dressing!
Caesar Salad
You can't go wrong with a classic Caesar salad. It's crowd-pleasing for a reason and the homemade dressing and croutons only make it better!
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Couscous Salad
Moroccan couscous cooks up in just 5 minutes so this salad is an easy addition to any holiday menu. We love the bright pop of color and sweet flavor from the pomegranate seeds!
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Italian Pasta Salad
Although pasta salad is more closely associated with summer BBQs, it's also a great make-ahead dish to take to a holiday potluck. This one in particular has tons of tasty mix-ins that you might find on a Christmas charcuterie board.
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This crunchy salad highlights one of the more popular winter veggies these days: Brussels sprouts! When thinly sliced and served raw with dried cranberries and slivered almonds, they become just like a crisp slaw.
Get the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Green Bean Salad
Green beans are often served in casserole form on the holidays, but this fresh take will surprise your guests! The green beans, tomatoes, and red onion join forces with tasty mix-ins like olives, cheese, and almonds.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Here's a fun holiday starter to kick things off: salad on a stick! It's an easy way to serve salad to a crowd.
Get the Chef’s Salad on a Stick recipe.
Broccoli Salad
If you're heading out to a potluck Christmas or just looking for a make-ahead dish to serve at home, this broccoli salad is just what you need. It's creamy, crunchy, and just a little bit sweet thanks to dried cranberries.
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
This is not your average salad recipe—it doubles as a party dip! Snack on the green, festive dish while you prepare the rest of your holiday meal.
Classic Three-Bean Salad
Swap out the heavy green bean casserole in favor of something a little lighter, yet still just as tasty this holiday season. This potluck-ready salad is made with fresh green beans, canned beans, and a flavorful red wine vinaigrette.
Get Ree's Classic Three-Bean Salad recipe.
Ultimate Winter Salad
This colorful salad has a bit of everything—fresh veggies, leftover roasted squash, candied nuts, and winter fruit. It will look stunning on any holiday table.
Get the Ultimate Winter Salad recipe.
Red and Green Fruit Salad with Mint Syrup
Your Christmas brunch deserves a fresh and flavorful salad—fruit salad, that is! Make this one with a mint-infused syrup for a touch of sweetness and holiday cheer.
Antipasti Chopped Salad
Try this salad as a starter for your Christmas dinner—or any hearty Italian meal for that matter. It's packed with goodies like sliced pepperoni, salami, cheese, and marinated veggies.
Get Ree's Antipasti Chopped Salad recipe.
Roasted Beet Salad
All your guests will be impressed by this colorful salad. To make the presentation look fancy, simply plate the roasted beets, grapefruit, and baby lettuces over a heaping dollop of bright pink beet vinaigrette.
Get Ree's Roasted Beet Salad recipe.
Greek Salad
This classic salad is a year-round favorite. Pair it with lamb chops, roast chicken, or even roasted potatoes.
Get Ree's Greek Salad recipe.
Ranch Chopped Salad
This crunchy salad is topped with a creamy buttermilk-based dressing that would taste just as delicious alongside a steak dinner as it would your holiday roast.
Get Ree's Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.
Holiday Wild Rice Salad
We love loaded salads—especially for Christmas! This one is packed with hearty mix-ins, like wild rice, apples, pecans, and bacon.
Get the Holiday Wild Rice Salad recipe.
Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
This crunchy salad would make a beautiful starter at your holiday meal. You could even put all the wedges on a big platter (family-style) and let your guests help themselves.
Get Ree's Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing recipe.
Ginger Shrimp Salad
Fresh ginger and jalapeño pepper bring zing and spice to this shrimp-topped salad. It's a perky Christmas starter that'll liven up any holiday menu.
Get Ree's Ginger Shrimp Salad recipe.
Kale Citrus Salad
Crisp kale is the star of this winter salad, but the bright citrus and spicy jalapeños really help the greens shine.
Get Ree's Kale Citrus Salad recipe.
Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries
"My favorite salads are ones with lots of different things going on: some kind of fruit, some kind of nut, some kind of cheese," Ree says. Make it your own by swapping pears for apple, goat cheese for blue cheese, or even cranberries for cherries.
Get Ree's Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries recipe.
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