Christmas is an exciting time in the kitchen. It’s a chance to add our own festive flare to our heartiest, most comforting dishes. But between all the rich casseroles and pot roasts, it can be nice to round things out with a light, fresh salad. And just like any other dish on your holiday table, your salads can be festive, too. Here are 12 Christmas-inspired salads that bring bright flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a touch of holiday cheer to your dinner spread.
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
This seasonal side dish brings all the traditional Christmas flavors to the table with a mix of crisp apples, tart cranberries, and sweet potatoes, tossed in an orange juice dressing.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
If you like Caesar salad, this kale salad with hearty greens, grated hard-boiled eggs, and toasted breadcrumbs might be your new favorite. We recommend generous amounts of Parmesan to really tie the whole salad together.
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
You can’t go wrong with a salad specifically catered for the holidays. This Christmas salad is all about the toppings: tangy cheese, sweet and savory pecans, and fresh fruit, all dressed in a maple syrup-Dijon vinaigrette that has a touch of warmth from cayenne pepper.
Greg DuPree
It’s Christmas, so we like to give winter vegetables their time to shine. This crisp, fresh salad is a mix of shaved brussel sprouts, Honeycrisp apples, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pecans.
Jennifer Causey
Don’t worry, there are no vegetables involved in this one. But if you’re looking to add a festive dessert to the mix, try this bundt-shaped Jell-O salad made with maraschino cherries, crushed pineapple, and powdered sugar.
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
With ribbons of multicolored carrots, layers of vibrant radishes, and a savory Parmesan crunch on top, this shaved vegetable salad is truly a gift to your party guests.
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
Would it even be the holidays without an ambrosia salad? Make this ambrosia even more festive by adding touches of red and green with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint leaves.
Emily Laurae
It only feels right to have cranberries on Christmas. The tart cranberries in this salad are mellowed by brown sugar and sweet Bartlett pears. Crunch from sliced celery and toasted pecans are the perfect complement.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
These cheese-filled tortellinis are like little presents on a plate, surrounded by wreaths of baby arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shredded rotisserie chicken.
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH
With roasted brussel sprouts, kabocha squash, kale, and Honeycrisp apples, this winter salad is just what your Christmas dinner needs. Dress it up with pecans, Parmesan, and our tangy-sweet vinaigrette.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This pasta salad is perfectly festive with bow tie pasta, bright-red sun-dried tomatoes, and hints of green from the basil leaves and pesto.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Salads can be a main dish, too! This one features skillet-cooked strip steak, buttered Yukon potatoes, and a zesty maple-Dijon dressing.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
For all you chicken salad lovers out there, try this easy-to-make recipe with chopped pecans, Granny Smith apples, celery, red onion, and of course, chopped fresh tarragon.