Christmas Wreath Salad

Amethyst · December 7, 2025, 6:24pm

Christmas Wreath Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients:

6 cups mixed salad greens
½ cup pomegranate arils
1 red or green apple, thinly sliced
1 red or green pear, thinly sliced
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
½ cup pecans
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon salt
⅛-¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Assemble the Salad:

In a large bowl or on a serving platter, arrange the greens. Top with pomegranate, apple slices, pear slices, and blue cheese.

In a pan on low-medium heat, cook the sugar and pecans, stirring constantly, until the pecans are coated with melted sugar. Remove from the pan and spread out on wax paper to let cool. Add to salad once completely cooled. (You may need to break them up a bit once they’ve hardened.)

Make the Dressing:

In a measuring cup or jar with a lid, combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until fully combined.
Drizzle salad with vinaigrette just before serving.

Notes:

Substitutions or Variations:

No pomegranate arils? Use dried cranberries or fresh raspberries for the same bright color.

Prefer a milder cheese? Swap the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese.

Out of Dijon mustard? Use stone-ground or yellow mustard instead.

Need a nut-free version? Skip the pecans and use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for crunch.

Toast the nuts instead of coating them in sugar.

Storage Instructions:

Refrigerate – You should store leftover salad and dressing separately. Keep the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Your dressing will last up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Freeze – Freezing is not recommended because the greens and fruit will lose their texture once thawed.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the greens and toppings a few hours in advance, but wait to add the dressing until just before serving.

Can I use bottled dressing instead of homemade?

You can use bottled dressing, but my easy homemade vinaigrette adds much more flavor and freshness.

Can I use bagged salad mix instead of fresh greens?

You can use bagged salad, but choose a mix with sturdy leaves like romaine or spring mix so it holds up under the fruit and dressing.

What’s the best way to serve this salad?

I like to arrange it on a large round platter or wooden board so the wreath shape stands out. You can place a small bowl of dressing or cranberries in the center for a pretty touch.

Nutritional Facts:

Recipe courtesy of Balancing Motherhood.com