Contents

The Ultimate Holiday Lettuce Salad: Fresh, Festive, and Flavorful

Prepare to delight your guests with this stunning Holiday Lettuce Salad, a recipe so exceptional it has become a cherished tradition in my circle, especially during the festive season. My dear friend, Gini, consistently brings this vibrant creation to our Christmas gatherings, and without fail, it steals the show. Bursting with the delightful crunch of candied almonds, the crisp sweetness of fresh apple, the tangy burst of mandarin oranges, and the chewy tartness of dried cranberries, this salad is a symphony of flavors and textures.

This crowd-pleasing Christmas and Thanksgiving Salad recently graced the table at a bridal shower I co-hosted, and the requests for the recipe were overwhelming. It’s a testament to its universal appeal – an elegant yet simple dish that elevates any holiday meal, family gathering, or special occasion. Its festive colors and incredible taste make it a centerpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

A vibrant Holiday Lettuce Salad in a elegant white serving bowl, showcasing fresh greens, red cranberries, orange mandarins, and golden candied almonds. — Our beautiful Holiday Lettuce Salad, ready to impress.

Why This Holiday Lettuce Salad Belongs on Your Table

More than just a side dish, this Festive Salad Recipe offers a unique combination of ease and sophistication that makes it a must-have for your culinary repertoire. Here’s why this recipe stands out:

Effortless Elegance: This salad is remarkably simple to prepare, making it ideal for a casual Sunday dinner. Yet, its vibrant presentation and sophisticated flavor profile are impressive enough for grand celebrations like a bridal shower, Christmas dinner, or Thanksgiving feast. You get gourmet results with minimal fuss.
Irresistible Textures: The homemade sugar-coated nuts are a game-changer, adding an unparalleled crunch and caramelized sweetness that truly sets this salad apart. They elevate the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary, making every bite a delightful experience.
Beginner-Friendly Dressing: If you’ve ever been intimidated by making your own salad dressing, this recipe is the perfect starting point. It’s an easy, delicious introduction to crafting fresh, vibrant dressings at home, allowing you to control the quality and flavor.
Make-Ahead Convenience: Many components of this salad can be prepared in advance, significantly reducing stress on the day of your event. This flexibility is invaluable during busy holiday seasons.
Nutrient-Rich and Flavorful: Packed with fresh greens, fruits, and nuts, this salad isn’t just delicious; it’s also a wonderfully wholesome addition to any meal, providing a refreshing counterpoint to richer main courses.

Key Ingredients for a Perfect Holiday Salad

The magic of this Cranberry Apple Salad lies in its carefully selected components, each contributing to its balanced flavor and appealing texture. Here’s a closer look at the stars of this dish:

Slivered Almonds: These nuts are transformed into a delectable, crunchy, candied topping. The candying process adds a caramelized sweetness and a satisfying bite, making them utterly irresistible. While slivered almonds are preferred for their delicate texture, you can experiment with other nuts like pecans or walnuts.
Sugar: Used strategically, sugar balances the acidity in the homemade dressing, ensuring a harmonious flavor. Crucially, it’s also the key ingredient for creating those wonderfully crisp candied almonds.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This essential ingredient forms the tangy base of our refreshing salad dressing. Its bright, slightly fruity notes complement the other ingredients beautifully. White wine vinegar or even fresh lemon juice can be used as alternatives in a pinch.
Salt: A fundamental flavor enhancer, salt brightens and rounds out all the ingredients. Without it, even the freshest produce can taste flat, so don’t underestimate its importance.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle kick and aromatic depth. For the best flavor, invest in a quality pepper mill and grind your peppercorns just before use. A Krups spice/coffee grinder (affiliate link) is excellent for this, and many cooks keep one for spices and another for coffee to avoid flavor transfer.
Canola Oil: A neutral-flavored oil like canola is ideal for the dressing as it allows the other ingredients to shine. However, if you prefer, a light olive oil can also be used, though it will impart a slightly fruitier taste.
Lettuce: Spring greens offer a tender texture and a beautiful mix of colors, forming a fantastic base for this salad. Feel free to use your favorite lettuce varieties, such as butter lettuce, romaine, or a robust mixed greens blend. Ensure it’s washed thoroughly and dried completely for optimal crispness.
Granny Smith Apple: Peeled and cut into delicate matchsticks, Granny Smith apples provide a wonderful tartness and crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients. Their firm flesh holds up well in the salad.
Mandarin Oranges: Convenient canned mandarin oranges, well-drained, add a burst of sweet, citrusy juiciness. For an even fresher taste, you can use fresh oranges; learn how to supreme them below for elegant, seedless segments.
Dried Cranberries: Also known as Craisins, these chewy, sweet-tart berries are typically found near raisins in most supermarkets. They not only add a lovely texture but also a vibrant pop of festive red color, making the salad visually appealing. Dried cherries are an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a slight variation.
Green Onions: Sliced thinly, including both the white and light green ends, green onions offer a mild, delicate pungency that enhances the salad without overpowering it, unlike stronger onion varieties.

To keep the Granny Smith apples looking their best, toss the freshly cut matchsticks in a small amount of the prepared dressing. The vinegar in the dressing will work wonders to prevent them from oxidizing and turning an unappetizing brown. Beyond the outstanding flavors, the brilliant palette of green, orange, and red transforms this Holiday Lettuce Salad into a picture-perfect addition to any table. This might just become your signature Christmas or Thanksgiving Salad, but its versatility makes it a perfect side dish for any meal throughout the year!

Simple Steps to Create Your Holiday Salad Masterpiece

Crafting this delightful Mandarin Orange Salad is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these easy steps for a flawless result:

Prepare Your Candied Almonds: Begin by making the glorious candied almonds. This step is surprisingly simple and can easily be done a day or two in advance, especially if you reside in a less humid climate, allowing them to remain crisp.
Whisk Up the Dressing: Next, prepare the vibrant homemade salad dressing. This can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, ready for when you need it.
Combine the Salad Elements: In a large, attractive serving bowl, gently combine all the fresh salad ingredients, including the crisp lettuce, apples, oranges, cranberries, and green onions.
Dress and Serve: Just before you’re ready to serve, pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure every ingredient is lightly coated. Serving immediately ensures maximum freshness and crispness.

Holiday Lettuce Salad beautifully arranged in a serving bowl, placed on a festive red napkin. — This Holiday Lettuce Salad is a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Expert Tips for the Best Holiday Lettuce Salad

Elevate your Easy Holiday Salad with these helpful tips and tricks:

Mastering Candied Almonds: While the process for candied almonds takes a few minutes, it’s quite simple once you get the hang of it. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat, add the sugar, then toss in the almonds. Stir continuously. The sugar will begin to melt and caramelize, taking a minute or two. Resist the urge to rush, as high heat can quickly lead to burnt sugar. Continue stirring until the sugar is fully melted and the almonds are coated and a beautiful golden-brown. Spread them on wax paper to cool completely; they will crisp up as they cool.
Nut Substitutions: If slivered almonds aren’t your preference, feel free to substitute with other nuts like chopped pecans, walnuts, or even cashews for a different flavor profile. The candying method works similarly for most nuts.
Fresh Orange Option: For an extra fresh touch, use fresh oranges instead of canned mandarin oranges. Remember to “supreme” them first for the best presentation and eating experience (see FAQ section for instructions).
PRO-Tip for Apples: As mentioned, tossing your cut apples in a bit of the salad dressing or a splash of lemon juice immediately after slicing is crucial. The acidity prevents enzymatic browning, keeping your apples crisp and visually appealing throughout your meal.
Make-Ahead Components: The candied nuts and dressing can be prepared several days in advance and stored separately. Store candied nuts in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep the dressing refrigerated. Chop all other vegetables and fruits a day ahead, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Storage: While best served fresh, leftover salad (undressed) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. If dressed, the lettuce will wilt more quickly, so it’s advisable to dress only what you plan to eat.
Serving Suggestions: This versatile salad pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses, from roasted turkey or ham during the holidays to grilled chicken or fish for lighter fare. It also complements rich pasta dishes or hearty stews by offering a refreshing contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Holiday Lettuce Salad

How Do You Supreme an Orange?

Supreming an orange creates beautiful, membrane-free segments perfect for salads. Here’s the procedure:
1. First, using a sharp knife, slice off a round at the top and bottom of the orange, exposing the flesh.
2. Next, from top to bottom, carefully slice off a strip of the peel and the white pith, following the curve of the fruit and trying not to remove too much excess orange flesh.
3. Rotate the orange and repeat until the entire fruit is peeled.
4. Locate one of the segments. With your sharp knife, slice on each side of the segment, just inside the membranes, to release a perfect, juicy orange segment. Repeat this process for each segment.
Note: If you’d like to save the flavorful juices for your salad dressing or another use, make sure to supreme your segments over a bowl to collect all the drips. You can also squeeze the leftover membranes into the bowl to extract any remaining juice.
This technique is applicable to any citrus fruit, including grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

How Do You Prevent a Salad Dressing from Separating?

The key to achieving a stable, creamy homemade salad dressing that doesn’t separate is emulsification. This process involves creating a stable mixture of two liquids that normally wouldn’t combine, like oil and vinegar. The technique is as follows: whisk together all the non-oil ingredients (vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper) thoroughly until well combined. Then, very slowly, drizzle in the oil in a thin, steady stream while continuously whisking vigorously. This gradual addition of oil, combined with constant agitation, creates a stable emulsion where tiny droplets of oil are suspended evenly throughout the vinegar base, preventing separation.

Can I Add Cheese to This Holiday Salad?

Absolutely! While delicious on its own, adding cheese can introduce another layer of flavor and texture. Crumbled feta, goat cheese, or even a mild blue cheese would complement the sweetness of the fruit and nuts beautifully. Add it just before serving for the best appearance and taste.

Is This Salad Gluten-Free and Vegan?

Yes, this Holiday Lettuce Salad is naturally gluten-free. As for being vegan, it is indeed vegan as written, containing no animal products. It’s a fantastic option for a wide range of dietary preferences.

Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed this Easy Holiday Salad, you might love exploring other fresh and flavorful options:

Asparagus, Tomato, and Feta Salad from Cooking Classy
Spinach Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese
Italian Chopped Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
Cherry Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Spinach, Almond, and Berries Salad
Discover more of the Best Salads for every occasion.

Stay connected for more delicious recipes and culinary inspiration! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes – I love seeing your creations! If you adore the results, please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below to help others discover this wonderful dish.

Print Recipe

The Recipe:

Holiday Lettuce Salad

Prep Time
15 minutes

Total Time
15 minutes

Yield
6 servings

A fresh and flavorful lettuce salad, perfect for special occasions but easy enough for everyday enjoyment!

Ingredients

½ cup slivered almonds
¼ cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
A pinch of black pepper
½ cup canola oil
1 bag of lettuce (spring greens recommended)
1 small Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 11-ounce can of mandarin oranges, well-drained
½ cup dried cranberries
3 green onions, sliced (white and light green ends)

Instructions

Combine almonds with 2 tablespoons of the sugar in a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring continuously, until the sugar melts and the almonds turn a light golden brown.
Carefully spread the candied almonds onto wax paper to cool completely. They will become crisp as they cool.
In a small liquid measuring cup or a bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar with the apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the canola oil to create a smooth, emulsified dressing. Set aside.
In a large salad bowl, gently combine the lettuce, apples, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, and sliced green onions.
Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. For instance, you can use dried cherries instead of cranberries, fresh oranges (supremed) instead of canned, or baby spinach for the lettuce base. Feel free to substitute other nuts like pecans or walnuts for the almonds.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest!

Festive Lettuce Salad