Food

16 Holiday Salads to Brighten Your Spread

Celebrate winter greens with pops of color from raspberry, pomegranate, and more seasonal ingredients.

By

Food & Wine Editors

Published on December 20, 2023

Caesar Salmon Salad — Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Balance rich and sweet holiday dishes with any of these fresh holiday salad recipes to round out the spread at your next gathering. Winter produce shines in these recipes for hearty main course and side salads, whether they are destined for a buffet, dinner table, or a quiet, restoring meal. Beets, pomegranate, and raspberries add holiday hues while steak, salmon, and seasonal crab provide hearty protein. These bright crowd pleasers will tempt even the pickiest eaters and salad skeptics.

01 of 16

Poached Salt Cod Salad with Sweet Peppers

Poached Salt Cod Salad with Sweet Peppers — Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Pieces of slightly sweet, pleasantly chewy poached salt cod feature in this hearty holiday salad of sweet peppers, purslane, herbs, and cherry tomatoes.

02 of 16

Persimmons, Pomegranate, and Purslane with Pepitas

Persimmons, Pomegranate, and Purslane with Pepitas — Victor Protasio

Suzanne Goin, chef and owner at the famed Lucques in Los Angeles, refers to this holiday salad as “The 4 Ps,” and says she thinks of it as a persimmon salad with an arugula garnish, rather than the other way around.

03 of 16

Dungeness Crab Winter Salad

Dungeness Crab Salad — Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

A flavorful and gorgeous special occasion dish that’s as tasty as it is eye-catching, this holiday salad with crisp greens, winter fruits, sweet crabmeat, and crunchy croutons is a showstopper.

04 of 16

Chicory Salad with Cranberry Sauce Vinaigrette

Chicory Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette — Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Repurpose or return to Thanksgiving ingredients to combine torn mixed chicories with cornbread that has been crumbled and crisped in bacon drippings, and a tart dressing spiked with cranberry sauce. This vibrant holiday salad is refreshing and balanced.

05 of 16

Citrus, Beet, and Arugula Salad with Halloumi Croutons

Citrus, Beet and Arugula Salad with Halloumi Croutons — Photo by Dan Perez / Food Styling and Prop Styling by Nurit Kariv

Resplendent with mixed citrus and jewel-toned roasted beets, this peppery arugula salad gets elevated to holiday status courtesy of crispy halloumi croutons.

06 of 16

Neoclassic Seafood Salad

Neoclassical Seafood Salad — Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Alfred Portale's famous stacked salad from Gotham Bar and Grill calls for high-quality ingredients, skilled execution, and an elaborate presentation.

07 of 16

"Caesared" Salmon Salad

Caesar Salmon Salad — Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Caesar flavors get dressed up with succulent, smoky grilled salmon for special occasions.

08 of 16

Fennel and Apple Salad with Hazelnuts

Hazelnut, Fennel and Green Apple Salad — Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee

Fragrant fennel, sweet-tart Granny Smith apple, and toasty hazelnuts are tucked in among the tender lettuce leaves to add a refreshing crunch to this holiday salad.

09 of 16

Roasted Hot Honey Sweet Potato Salad

Toasted Hot Honey Pecan Sweet Potato Salad — Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

For this colorful, satisfying side dish, smoked paprika creates a sweet and savory balance while hot honey dressing adds a touch of tangy heat. Homemade pickled red onions, crunchy toasted pecans, and fresh parsley round out the dish.

10 of 16

Charred Focaccia and Steak Salad

Charred Focaccia and Steak Salad Recipe — Eric Wolfinger

Make a statement showcasing bold ingredients like strip steak and Calabrian chile in a satisfying salad with focaccia croutons.

11 of 16

Roasted Beet Salad with Horseradish-Cashew Cream

Candied Beet Salad with Horseradish Cashew Cream — Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

Using a variety of beets, such as red, golden, or Chioggia (sometimes called candystripe), adds stunning color to this vibrant beet salad recipe from London chef Carine Ottou.

12 of 16

Apple and Celery Salad With Sunflower Seed and Chile Vinaigrette

Celery Salad with Calabrian Chile and Sunflower Seed Vinaigrette — Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

This apple and celery salad is spicy, sweet, fresh, and delicious. Nutty sunflower seed kernels round out each zippy bite while celery lends a refreshing crunch. It’s all tossed with a piquant vinaigrette that includes jarred Calabrian chiles, tangy sherry vinegar, and tender mixed herbs.

13 of 16

Wedge Salad with Tahini Green Goddess Dressing

Wedge Salad with Tahini Goddess Dressing — Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Cut two iceberg lettuce heads into six wedges for a family-style spread and drizzle with Justin Chapple's satisfying tahini green goddess dressing for an irresistible presentation and a salad with crunch.

14 of 16

Kale Salad with Cranberries, Almonds, and Goat Cheese

Kale Salad with Cranberries, Almonds, and Goat Cheese — Maxwell Cozzi

This wintry kale salad dresses up the hearty greens with toasted almonds, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and a citrus-Dijon vinaigrette.

15 of 16

Christmas Salad

Christmas Salad — © Eva Kolenko

Natasha Phan of L.A.’s Kogi restaurant empire craves this crisp, fresh salad during the holidays, when there’s always an abundance of rich dishes at the table. It combines arugula, Belgian endives, fennel, and watercress with pomegranate seeds and scallions, plus crispy fried wontons.

16 of 16

Cauliflower Salad with Yogurt Sauce and Pomegranate

Cauliflower Salad with Yogurt Sauce and Pomegranate — Greg DuPree

Reem Kassis tops fried cauliflower with toasted nuts, pomegranate arils, and lemon-and-garlic-laced yogurt.

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