The Best Christmas Salad Recipes

How do you make your Christmas dinner merry and bright? Deck your table with one of these festive salads! From wreath-shaped plates of leafy greens to bowls of pasta salad dotted with holiday colors, these recipes are perfect for any celebration.

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Christmas Salad

This is the edible centerpiece your Christmas table needs. The beautiful, impressive salad is easy to prepare, but doesn't look that way. It conjures a wreath, with a center well of citrusy Champagne-vinegar dressing. The salad itself is studded with pomegranate seeds, feta, navel orange segments and quick-candied pecans, which add welcome crunch and spice, on a bed of frisée, peppery arugula and radicchio.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Salad

Chopped Romaine and Radicchio Salad

Crushed pita chips stand in for croutons in Giada's quick, easy salad from Giada's Holiday Handbook. The dressing relies on Parmesan, whole-grain mustard, Champagne vinegar, olive oil and salt. The salad itself is a basil-studded blend of romaine, radicchio, cucumber and avocado.

Get the Recipe: Chopped Romaine and Radicchio Salad

Christmas Pasta Salad

As festive as it is delicious, this Christmas pasta salad brings together the green, red and white of the holiday in edible form. Green comes from a bright broccoli-based pesto, and more blanched broccoli. Red is thanks to roasted red peppers. White comes from tiny mozzarella balls. Toss it all with mezze rigatoni and delight in the hidden vegetables.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Pasta Salad

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries & Dijon Dressing

For a crunchy dish that pairs well with everything, toss shaved brussels sprouts with toasted hazelnuts, cranberries and a tangy Dijon dressing.

Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries & Dijon Dressing

Rosemary Citrus Salad

Greek yogurt, oranges and grapefruit come together in a beautiful side dish for Christmas brunch.

Get the Recipe: Rosemary Citrus Salad

Christmas Wreath Salad

Use kale, pine nuts, pickled peppers, fennel and dried cranberries to make Jeff Mauro's edible wreath tossed in a zippy lemon-Parmesan dressing.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Salad

Arugula Salad with Blistered Grapes and Sparkling Wine Vinaigrette

Blistered grapes and a sparkling wine vinaigrette transform a simple salad into an extra-special holiday dish.

Get the Recipe: Arugula Salad with Blistered Grapes and Sparkling Wine Vinaigrette

Jicama and Avocado Salad

For a simple side that’s excellent with tamales, toss together Valerie’s jicama and avocado salad. She flavors the salad with lime and orange juice, plus a pinch of cumin and coriander.

Get the Recipe: Jicama and Avocado Salad

Spiced Honey Fruit Salad with Pecans

Serve this sweet-and-spicy salad alongside a breakfast casserole, French toast or freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Honey Fruit Salad with Pecans

Roasted Caprese Salad

Incorporate sweetness into a classic caprese salad by roasting the tomatoes first. Creamy burrata and a drizzle of olive oil complete Giada’s five-star dish.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Caprese Salad

Beet-Orange Salad

This easy beet-based starter relies on a sherry vinegar dressing, peppery arugula and seasonal blood oranges for added flavor.

Get the Recipe: Beet-Orange Salad

Romaine Salad with Pear, Smoked Blue Cheese, and Candied Pecans

Toss romaine with pear, avocado, smoked blue cheese and candied pecans for a stunning salad that hits all the right notes.

Get the Recipe: Romaine Salad with Pear, Smoked Blue Cheese, and Candied Pecans

Antipasto Salad

Perfect for an Italian-style feast, Valerie’s salad features salami, provolone and a Dijon vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Blistered Baby Pepper Salad

Brown baby peppers for roughly 10 minutes, then toss with parsley, olives and capers for a simple salad that’s ready in a snap.

Get the Recipe: Blistered Baby Pepper Salad

Shaved Kale and Root Vegetable Salad

Guy's wintery salad packs a head of kale into Christmas dinner, with carrots, radishes, and red onion, as well as protein-rich quinoa, all tossed in a red wine vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Shaved Kale and Root Vegetable Salad

Pomegranate Ambrosia Salad

A fresh twist on the nostalgic ambrosia salad, Valerie’s recipe calls for pomegranate, fresh pineapple and just a pinch of ancho chile powder.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Ambrosia Salad

Olive and Celery Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

Valerie’s red and green salad makes a beautiful dish for every Christmas table.

Get the Recipe: Olive and Celery Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

Roasted Beet, Butternut Squash & Apple Salad

Evoke the feel and color of the season with roasted beets, tender butternut squash and cozy baked apples.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet, Butternut Squash & Apple Salad

Christmas Cobb Salad

This Christmas Cobb Salad pulls together warm, festive flavors, including Gouda, ham, pasta and garlicky marinated green beans, in a thyme-laced vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Cobb Salad

Calamari, Tomato and Caper Salad

Ideal for a Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, Giada's sautéed calamari salad is warm and pleasing, with a caper dressing.

Get the Recipe: Calamari, Tomato and Caper Salad

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