Delicious Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe
A festive and refreshing Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and a sweet-tangy vinaigrette dressing infused with shallots, honey, and sesame seeds. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and bright flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup almonds, sliced and toasted
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl or jar, whisk together the white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a sweet and tangy base. Next, stir in the olive oil, honey, finely chopped shallot, toasted sesame seeds, and optional poppy seeds. Mix until the dressing is well blended and emulsified. Set aside.
- Assemble the Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach leaves with the sliced toasted almonds and dried cranberries. This mixture delivers a vibrant combination of textures and flavors.
- Dress and Serve the Salad: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss the salad to ensure an even coating of the dressing on the spinach, almonds, and cranberries. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad’s fresh and crisp texture.
Notes
- To toast almonds and sesame seeds, lightly heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- The poppy seeds in the dressing are optional but add a nice subtle crunch and flavor.
- Toss the salad right before serving to keep spinach leaves crisp and prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- For added freshness, consider garnishing with a few fresh cranberries or orange zest.
Keywords: Christmas salad, cranberry spinach salad, holiday salad, fresh spinach salad, toasted almond salad, vinaigrette dressing, festive salad, healthy holiday recipe
