22 Christmas Salads to Kick Off Any Holiday Dinner Menu
Everything from delicious dressings to in-season winter produce.
This holiday season, do not sleep on the salad course! A crisp, vibrant Christmas salad just may be the dish you need to balance out a yuletide menu of holiday party appetizers, Christmas ham or Christmas cocktails. After indulging in holiday cookies and sweet Christmas treats, you might actually be craving something a little lighter.
In similar fashion, guests arriving for the big feast may be delighted to see something fresh and wholesome on the table during this season of excess. Celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with a healthy holiday spread can be more than welcome, and these salad recipes offer a range of options for every Noël festivity. In fact, we'd argue that these salads are just as much comfort food as the other traditional holiday dishes you have on your Christmas dinner table. Consider the boost of supercharged nutrients in these fresh ingredients as a present to yourself.
This holiday, try adding one of these nourishing Christmas salads to your holiday gathering. Some of these options are perfect holiday starters and side dishes, made for adding to your usual Christmas dinner lineup (which guests looking for a vegetarian Christmas menu will appreciate!). As for the others? They're so hearty and delicious, they just might make you want to swap 'em for your usual ham-filled plate entirely — that’s our kind of Christmas miracle!
Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad
Sturdy ingredients like white beans and radicchio mean this salad can sit for a bit while everyone's busy opening presents.
Get the Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad recipe.
Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
Toss raw sprouts with tart cranberries, smoked almonds, sharp cheese and a bright citrus vinaigrette for a side that's every bit as satisfying as a heap of mashed potatoes.
Get the Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
Salad of the Seven Fishes
Why not turn that tradition on its head with a bountiful salad that incorporates all the best proteins into one plate?!
Get the Salad of the Seven Fishes recipe.
Asian Pear, Celery, and Scallion Salad with Sesame Seeds
Break out of your salad rut with a zippy number starring juicy, crisp Asian pear.
Get the Asian Pear, Celery, and Scallion Salad With Sesame Seeds recipe from Prevention.
Escarole Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
A seasonal salad fit for any wintery feast, this dish is full of crisp, slightly bitter escarole, creamy blue cheese and bright pops of pomegranate seeds.
Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette
A hazelnut topping adds just the right amount of crunch to this tangy twist on the classic Caesar salad.
Get the Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette recipe.
Grapefruit, Endive, and Pistachio Salad
Ruby Red grapefruits add a dose of sunny freshness to endive salad.
Get the Grapefruit, Endive, and Pistachio Salad recipe from Prevention.
Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken with Fennel and Radicchio Salad
It's not technically a mixed salad, but it's a great way to make sure fresh greens end up on the table. The radicchio leaves will become very tender in the heat!
Get the Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken with Fennel and Radicchio Salad recipe.
California Roll Salad
All the flavors of a California roll but in a salad form means no sushi mat or rolling required!
Get the California Roll Salad recipe.
Bright Radish Salad
Expect guests to make heart-eye emojis for this beauty of a salad.
Get the Bright Radish Salad recipe.
Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
This wedge salad is the perfect crunchy side or light main. Not only is it easy to make, but its creamy herb dressing is oh-so delicious.
Rosemary-Roasted Carrot Salad
Fresh rosemary brings all the piney Christmas vibes to this simple, stunning carrot salad.
Get the Rosemary-Roasted Carrot Salad recipe.
Lemon Arugula Salad
Lemon segments tossed in the salad are a wonderful, mouth-puckering surprise.
Get the Lemon Arugula Salad recipe.
Vegan Caesar Salad
It's good to have at least one vegan dish ready for that guest who suddenly turned 100-percent plant based.
Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe.
Arugula-Kale Harvest Salad
'Tis the season of loading up your salads with a colorful mix of seasonal veggies (like the carrots, squash and bell peppers in this one).
Get the Arugula-Kale Harvest Salad recipe.
Green Goddess Carrot Salad
The tangy buttermilk dressing, bright and green with fresh herbs, will have everyone devouring their veggies.
Get the Green Goddess Carrot Salad recipe.
Winter Citrus Fruit Salad
Swap greens for grapefruit in this seasonally appropriate side dish. Pro tip: It makes the perfect addition to a Christmas breakfast or brunch spread.
Get the Winter Citrus Fruit Salad recipe.
Bacon and Apple Farro Salad
Go for bacon instead of chicken or beef — you can thank us later.
Get the Bacon and Apple Farro Salad recipe.
Kale and Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Take your cauliflower obsession to new heights with this hearty salad complete with pine nuts, golden raisins and feta cheese.
Get the Kale and Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe.
RELATED: 30 Crazy-Delicious Cauliflower Recipes to Instantly Upgrade Your Veggie Game
Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad
If you're planning on serving carrots this Christmas, why not skip the traditional boil job? These delicate ribbons of fresh carrots and radish rounds will steal the holiday spotlight.
Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, leading audience acquisition and affiliate revenue growth for Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering news, wellness trends and executing product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a background in women's lifestyle media with seven-plus years of digital editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living. Zee currently produces design and lifestyle service content as a contributor; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.
Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. In the Test Kitchen, she cooks (and samples!) recipes, working with developers to deliver the best written versions possible. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. She enjoys playing tennis, natural wines and reality competition shows.
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