Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad: A Fresh Favorite for Your Holiday Table

Every Christmas Eve, I could count on two things: my mom’s roasted‑garlic mashed potatoes and that crisp, colorful cranberry‑spinach salad she’d whip up. She’d prep it in the quiet hours before guests arrived, humming a holiday tune, arranging each ingredient like she was painting a festive picture. It wasn’t just a side dish, it was a little moment of calm before the joyful chaos. Now, years later, I’ve made that salad my own and it’s still the one thing I never skip on the holiday menu. It’s bright, refreshing, and perfectly balances the richness of classic Christmas fare.

If you’ve been searching for the Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad, this is it. A winning mix of textures and flavors, this salad features tender baby spinach, tart dried cranberries, crisp apple slices, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese, all brought together with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It’s the kind of dish that earns you recipe requests before the plates are even cleared.

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Why This Salad Belongs on Your Christmas Table

The holidays are full of indulgent dishes, creamy casseroles, butter‑laden potatoes, rich roasts. Amid all that richness, this salad cuts through with something fresh. It feels light but satisfying, and the cranberries add just enough sweetness to keep things festive. Even salad skeptics go in for seconds.

Bonus? It takes less than 15 minutes to throw together and doesn’t compete for oven space (so crucial on a busy holiday). You can prep the components in advance and toss everything right before serving, freedom! That makes it a lifesaver when you’re juggling five burners and a pie in the oven.

To build the rest of your spread, this side pairs beautifully with vegetable‑forward or air‑fried sides. For instance, check out your article on Air Fryer Carrots Recipe – 1 Sweet & Crispy Secret You’ll Love for a quick veggie side that complements the salad’s brightness. For something substantial, pairing it alongside a lighter meat + greens mix from your High Protein Vegetarian Recipes: 15 Flavorful Ideas You’ll Love gives the table balance. And if someone asks for “just plain potatoes,” your Sweet Potato in Air Fryer, Better Way to Crispy & Fluffy offers a beautiful roasted option that won’t steal the show from the salad.

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Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 6 cups baby spinach, rinsed and dried
• 1 large Honeycrisp or Gala apple, thinly sliced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup candied pecans (or toasted walnuts)
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta, if you prefer)

For the balsamic vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey/maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, layer the spinach, sliced apples, dried cranberries, and pecans.
3. Add the cheese: Sprinkle goat cheese crumbles evenly over the top.
4. Dress and toss: Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Optional Add‑Ons:

• To make it heartier, add grilled chicken or roasted turkey (if you want it as a main side).
• Swap pears for apples, blue cheese for goat cheese, or walnuts for pecans to customize based on your preferences.

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This Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad brings the color and cheer of the season right to your plate. With a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy, it’s everything a holiday dish should be, easy to make, beautiful to serve, and bursting with flavor.

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