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Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad – Fresh, Festive & Bursting With Holiday Flavor

This Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a bright, refreshing, and beautifully festive addition to any holiday table. With crisp baby spinach, sweet dried cranberries, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy candied pecans, creamy feta, and a tangy-sweet homemade cranberry vinaigrette, this salad balances rich Christmas dishes perfectly. It’s colorful, seasonal, easy to assemble, and tastes like a celebration — the ideal side dish for Christmas Eve, holiday brunch, potlucks, or any winter dinner that needs a fresh, vibrant touch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup mandarin orange segments fresh or canned
  • ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Optional: ½ sliced apple or pear
Optional: Pomegranate arils for extra festiveness
  • Cranberry Vinaigrette
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp cranberry sauce canned or homemade
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
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Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Salad bowl
  • Small mixing bowl or jar for dressing
  • Whisk or shakeable jar

Method
 

Step 1: Make the Cranberry Vinaigrette
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk/shake together:
  2. olive oil
  3. apple cider vinegar
  4. cranberry sauce
  5. honey
  6. Dijon
  7. salt & pepper
  8. Taste and adjust:
  9. – add more honey if you want sweeter
  10. – add extra vinegar for more tang
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large salad bowl, add:
  2. baby spinach
  3. dried cranberries
  4. mandarin oranges
  5. red onions
  6. feta or goat cheese
  7. candied pecans
  8. Gently toss to distribute ingredients.
Step 3: Dress & Serve
  1. Drizzle cranberry vinaigrette over the top just before serving.
  2. Toss lightly so every leaf is coated.
  3. Add a final sprinkle of pecans or pomegranate arils for a festive finish.
  4. Serve immediately.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Best consumed immediately after dressing.
To make ahead:
Prep salad ingredients separately (up to 24 hours)
Add oranges right before serving
Store dressing in jar in refrigerator 4–5 days
🥄 Variations
Pear & Cranberry Salad
Add sliced ripe pears + blue cheese.
Apple Walnut Spinach Salad
Swap pecans for toasted walnuts.
Cranberry Chicken Winter Salad
Add sliced grilled chicken for protein.
Creamy Cranberry Dressing
Add 2 tbsp Greek yogurt to dressing.
Maple Roasted Sweet Potato Version
Add roasted sweet potato cubes.
Vegan Version
Use vegan feta + maple syrup instead of honey.
Holiday Pomegranate Spinach Salad
Add pomegranate seeds for color.
Warm Spinach Cranberry Salad
Add warm sautéed mushrooms + bacon.
Goat Cheese & Pistachio Twist
Swap nuts and cheese for a gourmet twist.
Winter Citrus Spinach Salad
Add grapefruit or blood orange slices.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use spring mix instead of spinach?
Yes — but spinach holds the dressing better.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
Only if chopped and lightly sweetened.
Can I make the salad ahead?
Yes — assemble without dressing and oranges.
What nuts work best?
Pecans, walnuts, or pistachios.
Can I use goat cheese instead of feta?
Absolutely — creamy and delicious.
Is canned mandarin okay?
Yes — just drain well.
Can I use bottled dressing?
Yes — raspberry vinaigrette is a great match.
How do I keep fruit from sinking?
Toss lightly and add some toppings last.
What protein works with it?
Chicken, turkey, or salmon.
Can this be served warm?
Yes — toss spinach with warm pecans or bacon.
🏁 Conclusion
This Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is fresh, crunchy, colorful, and bursting with festive flavors — the perfect refreshing side dish for any holiday meal. With sweet cranberries, tangy dressing, creamy cheese, and bright citrus, every bite tastes like Christmas cheer on a plate.
Easy, elegant, and guaranteed to impress your guests.