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23 Christmas Salad Recipes Fit for a Holiday Celebration

Updated on November 11, 2025

How do you make your special dinner merry and bright? Deck your table with one of these festive sides.

Photo: Kate Mathis
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Our Most-Festive Salad Ideas

There are so many delicious dishes to choose from when the holidays roll around: appetizers, impressive roasts and showstopping hams and, of course, all the mouthwatering sides that go along with them. But there’s one dish that every feast needs: a bountiful salad. Whether you choose one that’s chock-full of seasonal ingredients or something that can double as an edible centerpiece, a salad is always a welcome addition to any Christmas dinner. There are many to choose from, like this one that’s beautiful, impressive and easy to prepare. It’s reminiscent of a holiday 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.

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Photo: Chantell Quernemoen
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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.

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Photo: Armando Rafael
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Sesame & Ginger Noodle Salad

Bright, crisp and full of flavor, this sesame ginger noodle salad brings a refreshing, Asian-inspired twist to your holiday table.

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Wheat Berry Salad

Hearty wheat berries meet crisp veggies and a tangy dressing in this wholesome salad that's perfect for adding a nutty, festive crunch to your Christmas spread.

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Photo: Kate Mathis
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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.

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Photo: Patrick Wymore ©
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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.

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Photo: Chantell Quernemoen | Brett Quernemoen
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Rosemary Citrus Salad

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

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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.

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Photo: Jason Clairy ©
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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.

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Photo: David Malosh
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Christmas Eve Salad

Crunchy, sweet and tart, this take on a Mexican Christmas Eve salad is a refreshing side dish you need on the holiday table. Feel free to include other fruits, such as apple, pear or even pineapple!

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Photo: Rob Pryce
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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.

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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.

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Spiced Honey Fruit Salad with Pecans

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

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Beet-Orange Salad

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

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Photo: David Bean
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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.

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Antipasto Salad

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

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Photo: Melissa Libertelli
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Photo: Melissa Libertelli
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Olive and Celery Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

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

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Roasted Beet, Butternut Squash & Apple Salad

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

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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.

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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.

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