Delicious Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad

This Delicious Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad combines vibrant red cranberries with fresh spinach for the perfect holiday side dish. I’ve been making this festive salad for years, and it never fails to impress guests with its beautiful colors and amazing flavor combination.

Every Christmas dinner needs something fresh to balance all those rich, heavy dishes. I discovered this cranberry spinach salad recipe when I was looking for a way to add more vegetables to our holiday table without sacrificing flavor. The sweet-tart cranberries paired with tender baby spinach and crunchy toasted almonds create the most satisfying texture contrast. My family requests this Delicious Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad every single year now because it’s both nutritious and absolutely delicious.

Fresh Ingredients That Make All the Difference

I always recommend using the freshest baby spinach you can find – it makes such a difference in the final taste. Pro tip: even pre-washed spinach benefits from an extra rinse and thorough drying.

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

I prefer using sliced almonds over whole ones because they distribute more evenly throughout the salad. For the cranberries, look for ones that are still slightly plump rather than completely dried out.

Simple Steps for Perfect Results

I recommend making the dressing first so the flavors have time to blend while you prepare the other components.

Step 1: Toast the almonds and sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning – they can go from perfect to burnt very quickly.

Step 2: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until the sugar completely dissolves. This takes about 1-2 minutes of vigorous whisking.

Step 3: Stir in olive oil, honey, finely chopped shallot, toasted sesame seeds, and optional poppy seeds until the mixture is well blended and emulsified. The dressing should look smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Set the dressing aside until ready to use. It can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours or be refrigerated for up to a week.

Step 5: In a large salad bowl, combine fresh baby spinach leaves, toasted sliced almonds, and dried cranberries. Toss gently with clean hands or salad tongs.

Step 6: Right before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Start with about half the dressing – you can always add more.

Step 7: Toss the salad gently to ensure all the spinach leaves, almonds, and cranberries are evenly coated with dressing. Serve immediately to maintain that perfect crisp texture.

Perfect Holiday Pairings

This Delicious Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad pairs beautifully with so many holiday main dishes.

Roasted Turkey: The fresh, tangy flavors cut through rich turkey perfectly and add a nice textural contrast to the tender meat.

Glazed Ham: The sweet-tart cranberries complement the salty-sweet glaze on ham while the spinach adds a fresh, healthy element.

Prime Rib: This light salad provides the perfect balance to heavy, rich beef dishes and helps cleanse the palate between bites.

Herb-Crusted Chicken: The nutty almonds and bright cranberries enhance herb flavors while adding festive Christmas colors to the plate.

Fresh Balance for Your Festive Holiday Menu

This vibrant cranberry spinach salad is the perfect fresh element that balances any rich holiday dish beautifully! It pairs incredibly well with my Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef, Quick Christmas Cranberry Beef Meatballs, and Roasted Sprouts with Cranberries and Feta, creating a stunning cranberry-themed Christmas menu that’s both cohesive and delicious. The fresh, tart flavors provide the perfect counterpoint to rich dishes like my Savory French Onion Pot Roast.

The ruby and emerald colors look absolutely stunning alongside my Christmas Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze. Start your meals with sophisticated appetizers like Best Christmas Stuffed Mushrooms and Irresistibly Sticky Pigs in Blankets, serve this refreshing salad during the main course, then end with my buttery Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies for the perfect Christmas dinner flow.

Smart Storage Solutions

Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Always give it a good shake or whisk before using since the ingredients will naturally separate.

Keep the spinach, cranberries, and toasted nuts in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The key is keeping everything separate until serving time to maintain optimal freshness and texture.

Pro tip: I recommend storing the toasted nuts at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They’ll stay crunchier this way. Once you’ve dressed the salad, it’s best enjoyed within a few hours before the spinach starts to wilt.

Common Questions About This Recipe

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