Christmas Salad Recipes: 30 Fresh Ideas for Your Table

Holiday meals tend to revolve around rich roasts and buttery treats, so a bright, well-balanced salad can be a welcome counterpoint. The thirty ideas below bring color, crunch, and plenty of seasonal flavor to the buffet. Each one is simple enough for a busy cook yet special enough for a celebration. Pick a few, mix and match, and watch the vegetable dishes disappear faster than the cookies.

1. Pomegranate & Pear Winter Green Salad

Juicy pears and tart pomegranate seeds instantly dress up a bowl of mixed greens. A sprinkle of feta adds creamy contrast while toasted pecans bring pleasant crunch. Whisk together olive oil, champagne vinegar, and a dash of honey for a gentle dressing that won’t overpower the fruit. It’s light, lively, and ready in under ten minutes.

2. Roasted Brussels Sprout Caesar

Roasting Brussels sprouts coaxes out nutty sweetness and gives them crisp edges. Toss the warm sprouts with a classic Caesar dressing, then shower everything with Parmesan shavings. Homemade garlic croutons keep each bite playful. Serve slightly warm so the cheese melts just a touch.

3. Cranberry-Walnut Quinoa Salad

Fluffy tri-color quinoa forms the hearty base of this make-ahead option. Sweet dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and crisp celery provide texture and holiday color. A citrus-maple vinaigrette soaks into the grains for bright flavor. This salad travels well and tastes even better after a night in the fridge.

4. Citrus & Fennel Festive Mix

Refreshing citrus takes center stage, pairing beautifully with anise-scented fennel. Blood oranges and pink grapefruit add jewel tones that shine on a winter table. A quick drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt is all you need. Finish with fresh dill fronds for a light licorice note.

5. Sweet Potato & Kale Christmas Bowl

Massage kale with a little olive oil and lemon juice until tender. Add warm, cinnamon-roasted sweet-potato cubes for natural sweetness. Pumpkin seeds lend crunch while dried cranberries echo the season. A maple-Dijon dressing ties everything together.

6. Beetroot, Goat Cheese & Pistachio Salad

Roasted beets bring earthy depth and vibrant color. Creamy goat cheese provides tangy contrast and pistachios give a salty crunch. A balsamic reduction drizzled over the top adds glossy sweetness. Serve slightly chilled for best flavor.

7. Fig, Prosciutto & Arugula Plate

Sweet figs and salty prosciutto are a classic pairing that feels instantly fancy. Peppery arugula balances both, while Parmesan shavings lend savory depth. A lemon-olive-oil dressing keeps flavors crisp. This salad doubles as a quick appetizer course.

8. Apple, Cheddar & Herb Slaw

Crisp apples and sharp cheddar bring sweet-savory harmony to a cabbage base. Chopped parsley and chives brighten each bite. A light yogurt-mustard dressing keeps things creamy without heaviness. It’s a modern riff on coleslaw that suits roast turkey beautifully.

9. Warm Lentil & Roasted Carrot Salad

Earthy lentils and caramelized carrots make a cozy duo for chilly nights. Toss them together while still warm with a mustard-shallot vinaigrette so flavors meld. Fresh parsley adds brightness and color. Serve alongside beef or lamb for a hearty side.

10. Classic Waldorf with a Twist

The Waldorf never goes out of style, but swapping mayonnaise for Greek yogurt lightens the mix. Toast the walnuts for deeper flavor and sprinkle in a handful of golden raisins. Butter lettuce cups turn the salad into tidy portions. A hint of lemon zest wakes everything up.

11. Maple-Roasted Pumpkin Seed Spinach Salad

Lightly coat pumpkin seeds in maple syrup, then roast until glossy and crisp. Toss them over tender spinach leaves for sweet crunch in every forkful. Thin red-onion slices add mild bite. Finish with apple-cider vinaigrette for a touch of tartness.

12. Smoked Salmon & Dill Potato Salad

Using smoked salmon gives traditional potato salad a Scandinavian twist. Baby potatoes are boiled until just tender, then cooled slightly so the fish stays firm. Dill, capers, and a lemony mayo-yogurt sauce provide bright balance. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.

13. Holiday Caprese with Cranberry Balsamic

A drizzle of cranberry-infused balsamic gives the classic Caprese a merry makeover. The sweet-tart syrup pairs nicely with creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes. Bright basil keeps things familiar yet festive. It’s red, white, and green in the most delicious way.

14. Red Cabbage & Mandarin Crunch

Bold purple cabbage holds up well to citrus segments and stays crisp for hours. Sweet mandarins lend juiciness and a pop of orange color. A sprinkle of toasted almonds supplies nutty crunch. The simple rice-vinegar dressing is pleasantly tangy, making this salad a reliable potluck star.

15. Wild Rice & Roasted Cranberry Medley

Nutty wild rice forms a satisfying base for roasted cranberries, which soften and burst into sweet-tart gems. Cubes of roasted butternut squash bring color and tender texture. Chopped parsley brightens the dish, while a splash of orange juice in the dressing unifies every element. Serve warm or room temperature.

16. Grilled Chicken & Pomegranate Cobb

This hearty salad can stand in as a complete meal. Smoky chicken, creamy avocado, and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds add color and protein. Crumbled blue cheese and crisp bacon bits nod to traditional Cobb components. A simple red-wine vinaigrette keeps flavors balanced.

17. Charred Broccolini & Almond Salad

Quickly blister broccolini under a broiler or on a grill pan until tips darken. The slight char pairs beautifully with nutty almonds and salty Parmesan. Dress while warm with lemon juice and a glug of good olive oil. It’s an elegant, low-effort side that disappears fast.

18. Orange, Avocado & Chicory Salad

Bitter-sweet chicory offers a refreshing crunch that stands up to creamy avocado. Juicy orange slices sweeten every mouthful, while pomegranate seeds provide sparkle. A honey-lime dressing rounds out the flavors. The contrasting colors look stunning on a holiday buffet.

19. Herb-Roasted Mushroom Farro Salad

Hearty farro cooks to a chewy, nutty perfection that welcomes earthy mushrooms. Roast mixed mushrooms with rosemary and garlic until golden, then fold into the grains. Baby spinach wilts gently from residual heat, soaking up the garlicky oil. A splash of sherry vinegar keeps everything lively.

20. Sweet Corn & Roasted Pepper Confetti

Frozen sweet corn makes this quick salad doable year-round. Charred red peppers lend smokiness and vivid color. Chopped scallions add fresh bite, while a cumin-lime dressing ties the ingredients together. It’s light, colorful, and kid-approved.

21. Pearled Couscous & Jewel-Tone Veggies

Pearled couscous cooks quickly and absorbs flavor like a sponge. Fold in roasted zucchini, dried apricots, and a handful of fresh parsley for a sweet-savory balance. Toasted sunflower seeds give subtle crunch. A turmeric-spiked dressing adds golden color and gentle warmth.

22. Shrimp & Grapefruit Spinach Salad

Cooked shrimp provide protein and a briny pop that pairs well with tart grapefruit. Baby spinach keeps things light, while thin red-onion slices add bite. A champagne-vinegar dressing brings delicate acidity. It’s crisp, refreshing, and ready in fifteen minutes.

23. Honey-Roasted Parsnip & Apple Salad

Roasting parsnips with honey accentuates their natural sweetness and caramelizes the edges. Toss the warm pieces with tart apple slices and peppery arugula. A mustard-cider dressing bridges sweet and savory flavors. Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts for crunch.

24. Grape, Blue Cheese & Toasted Pecan Mix

Juicy grapes contrast beautifully with pungent blue cheese. Toasted pecans lend buttery depth and crunch. A simple red-wine vinaigrette keeps the flavors straightforward. The result is a salad that feels both classic and festive.

25. Blood Orange & Radicchio Winter Salad

Bitter radicchio shines when paired with sweet blood-orange slices. Shaved fennel adds crispness and aromatic lift. Pistachios give a salty crunch that rounds everything out. A splash of white-balsamic dressing brings gentle sweetness.

26. Candied Bacon & Baby Greens

Bake bacon strips with brown sugar until glossy and caramelized, then crumble over tender greens. The sweet-salty bits act like built-in dressing boosters. Add cherry tomatoes for juicy freshness. Finish with a mild sherry-mustard vinaigrette.

27. Roasted Cauliflower & Pomegranate Tahini Salad

Roasting cauliflower until deeply golden develops toasty flavor. Spoon a lemon-tahini sauce over the warm florets so it melts slightly. Pomegranate seeds add vivid color and bursts of sweetness. The salad is vegan, filling, and perfect served warm.

28. Turkey, Cranberry & Wild Greens

Put leftover turkey to work in a bright, leafy salad. Dried cranberries echo traditional holiday flavors and lend chewiness. Toasted pecans add crunch, while goat cheese supplies creaminess. A tangy cranberry-orange dressing finishes the dish.

29. Gingered Asian Slaw with Sesame Seeds

Fresh ginger and rice-vinegar dressing give this slaw zingy personality. Napa cabbage stays crisp yet tender, and ribboned carrots contribute color. Toasted sesame seeds provide subtle nuttiness. It’s a lively palate cleanser amid richer dishes.

30. Snow Pea, Edamame & Mint Salad

Blanch snow peas briefly to retain crunch and vivid color. Combine with shelled edamame for plant-based protein. Fresh mint lifts the flavors, while a sesame-lime dressing keeps things refreshing. This salad looks like a bowl of holiday greenery.