Introduction

This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is the perfect easy and festive side dish for your holiday table. It combines fresh spinach with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette for a burst of flavor and color. For another delightful cranberry treat, try this Cranberry Lemon Bars Recipe.

Ingredients

This vibrant Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad combines crisp greens, sweet-tart fruit, and a nutty crunch, all brought together with a perfectly balanced, honey-sweetened vinaigrette.

16 oz fresh baby spinach
1 cup almonds, sliced and toasted
1 cup cranberries, dried
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)

Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad ingredients

Timing

Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	0 minutes
Total Time	15 minutes

Context: This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad comes together in about 15 minutes, which is roughly 25% faster than many similar holiday salad recipes that require cooking or candying nuts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare Your Ingredients

Gather all components for the Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad: fresh baby spinach, dried cranberries, toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts), crumbled cheese (such as feta or goat cheese), and a red onion. Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach to prevent a soggy salad. Having everything pre-measured and ready makes assembly quick and easy.

Step 2 — Toast the Nuts

Toasting nuts unlocks their flavor and adds a wonderful crunch. Spread raw pecans or walnuts in a single layer on a dry skillet. Toast over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the pan frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Tip: Remove them from the pan immediately to stop the cooking and prevent burning.

Step 3 — Make the Dressing

A simple vinaigrette ties this Christmas salad together. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or balsamic), a touch of honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity to your preference. Let it sit for a few minutes for the flavors to meld.

Step 4 — Assemble the Salad Base

Place the dry spinach leaves in a large, wide salad bowl. This gives you room to toss gently. Scatter the dried cranberries and thinly sliced red onion over the top. For the best texture and to keep the spinach perky, do not add the dressing yet.

Step 5 — Add Toppings & Cheese

Sprinkle the cooled, toasted nuts and your chosen crumbled cheese evenly over the salad. If using a soft cheese like goat cheese, you can add small dollops. For a festive look, reserve a small handful of cranberries and nuts to garnish the top after tossing.

Step 6 — Dress and Toss Gently

Right before serving, drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad. Using salad tongs or two large spoons, toss the salad gently from the bottom up to coat the leaves lightly without bruising them. Tip: Add more dressing gradually until it’s dressed to your liking; you may not need it all.

Step 7 — Serve Immediately

This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it on a festive platter or in individual bowls. The spinach should be glossy and vibrant, not wilted. For make-ahead convenience, keep the dressing, toasted nuts, and cheese separate and combine just before your holiday meal.

Nutritional Information

Calories	~210 kcal
Protein	~5g
Carbohydrates	~22g
Fat	~13g
Fiber	~3g
Sodium	~180mg

This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is also a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C from the fresh spinach and cranberries.

Note: Nutritional estimates are based on typical ingredients and serving size; values may vary with specific brands or preparation adjustments.

Healthier Alternatives

This versatile Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad adapts beautifully to various dietary needs. Here are simple swaps to customize it for your table.

Protein Alternative — Swap bacon for roasted chickpeas or chopped walnuts for a plant-based, protein-rich crunch.
Lower-Carb Option — Replace dried cranberries with a handful of fresh raspberries or chopped strawberries for natural sweetness with fewer carbs.
Dairy-Free Version — Use a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and lemon juice instead of the creamy poppy seed dressing, or choose a vegan mayo base.
Gluten-Free Assurance — Ensure your bacon bits and any packaged dressing ingredients are certified gluten-free, as this salad is naturally gluten-free.
Low-Sodium Twist — Opt for unsalted nuts, low-sodium bacon or turkey bacon, and make your own dressing to control salt content.
Nut-Free Variation — Substitute nuts with toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a similar texture without allergens.
Lighter Dressing — Thin Greek yogurt with a splash of vinegar and a touch of honey for a lighter, tangy coating.
Extra Greens Boost — Mix in massaged kale or shredded Brussels sprouts with the spinach for added fiber and heartiness.

Serving Suggestions

This vibrant Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a versatile side that complements a wide range of holiday dishes. Here are ideas to make it the star of your festive table.

Perfect Holiday Pairings

Serve alongside a roast turkey or a glazed ham for a classic Christmas dinner.
Pair with a creamy potato gratin or roasted root vegetables for a comforting vegetarian feast.
Offer it as a refreshing counterpoint to rich, cheesy casseroles or savory stuffing.

Ideal Occasions

Beyond the Christmas dinner table, this salad shines at holiday potlucks, festive brunches, and as a bright starter for a New Year’s Eve gathering. Its make-ahead nature makes it perfect for entertaining.

Plating & Presentation Tips

For a family-style presentation, serve the Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad in a large, shallow bowl to showcase all the colorful ingredients.
For individual elegance, plate on chilled salad plates and garnish with a few extra candied pecans and a sprinkle of feta.
Keep the dressing on the side until just before serving to maintain the spinach’s perfect texture and vibrant green color.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake: Using soggy, pre-washed spinach that wilts instantly. Fix: Dry leaves thoroughly in a salad spinner and store them wrapped in a paper towel until assembly.
Mistake: Drowning the salad in dressing ahead of time. Fix: Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and vibrant.
Mistake: Adding warm toasted nuts or bacon, which wilts the greens. Fix: Always cool nuts and cooked ingredients completely before tossing them in.
Mistake: Using overly sweet dried cranberries that clash with the dressing. Fix: Opt for unsweetened or low-sugar dried cranberries to balance the vinaigrette’s tang.
Mistake: Skipping the toasting step for nuts or seeds. Fix: Lightly toast pecans or almonds to unlock essential oils and a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Mistake: Chopping ingredients too large, making the salad awkward to eat. Fix: Dice the red onion and crumble the cheese finely for a perfect bite every time.
Mistake: Forgetting to season the dressing itself. Fix: Taste and adjust your vinaigrette with salt and pepper; it should be flavorful on its own.
Mistake: Using a bland, soft cheese that doesn’t provide contrast. Fix: Choose a sharp, crumbly cheese like feta or goat cheese for a salty, creamy pop.
Mistake: Overcomplicating the dressing with too many ingredients. Fix: Stick to a simple balance of olive oil, acid (like balsamic), a touch of sweetness, and Dijon mustard.

Storing Tips

Fridge: Store your Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent wilting.
Freezer: This salad is not suitable for freezing, as the fresh spinach and other vegetables will become mushy and waterlogged upon thawing.
Reheat: This salad is served cold and should not be reheated. If you have leftover warm components like candied nuts or bacon, store them separately and add to the cold salad just before serving.

For food safety, always keep the prepared salad refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C) and discard any leftovers that have been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Conclusion

This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is the perfect festive side dish, combining sweet, tart, and savory flavors. We hope you love this easy, vibrant recipe as much as we do. Give it a try this holiday season and let us know what you think in the comments! For more seasonal salads, check out our Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad Recipe or Mexican Quinoa Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette Recipe.