Description
This festive Christmas salad combines crisp mixed greens with sweet pears, crunchy nuts, juicy pomegranate seeds, and creamy avocado, all brought together with a tangy maple-red wine vinaigrette. Bright, colorful, and full of texture, this easy-to-make salad is perfect for holiday gatherings and adds a refreshing contrast to heavier seasonal dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sweetened nuts
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 ripe pear (Bosc or Anjou)
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 6–8 cups mixed greens (about 5 oz)
- 1 apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 1 ripe but firm avocado
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (Grade A Amber Rich)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup avocado oil (or any neutral-flavored oil)
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl or jar, combine avocado oil, red wine vinegar, pure maple syrup, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined. Note that the dressing may separate over time since no emulsifier is used; simply whisk again before use.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, place the mixed greens as the base. Top with thin slices of pear, apple, and diced or sliced avocado. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and sweetened nuts evenly over the salad. Add the thinly sliced red onion for an added layer of flavor if desired.
- Dress and Toss the Salad: Whisk the dressing once more if separated. Drizzle half of the dressing evenly over the salad. Using two forks or salad tongs, gently toss the salad to coat all ingredients lightly with dressing. Add more dressing to taste, tossing gently again. The greens will slightly wilt upon dressing, making it easier to mix and enjoy.
Notes
- Mixed greens can be substituted with spinach, kale, or arugula depending on your preference.
- Pears can be replaced with persimmons or Asian pears for a similar sweetness and texture.
- Pomegranate seeds can be swapped with dried cranberries or fresh blueberries, adjusting quantities as dried fruits are more concentrated.
- Avocado or olive oil in the dressing can be substituted with grapeseed or walnut oil for different flavor notes.
- The dressing should be whisked again if it separates before serving.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas salad, pear salad, pomegranate salad, holiday salad, festive salad, mixed greens salad, healthy holiday side, vegetarian salad
