This Cranberry Spinach Salad is fresh, colorful, and perfectly balanced—sweet cranberries, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and creamy feta tossed with tender spinach and a bright honey vinaigrette. A beautiful Christmas-ready salad that pairs well with any holiday meal.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the Salad:
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6 cups fresh baby spinach
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1 cup dried cranberries
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1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Gala), thinly sliced
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½ cup walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted
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½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
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2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
For the Dressing:
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¼ cup olive oil
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
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1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Salad Base
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Add spinach to a large salad bowl.
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Top with cranberries, apple slices, walnuts, cheese, and red onion.
2️⃣ Make the Dressing
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In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3️⃣ Toss & Serve
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Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving.
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Toss gently to coat evenly.
4️⃣ Finish
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Taste and adjust seasoning.
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Serve immediately for the freshest texture.
⭐ Tips & Variations
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Add pomegranate seeds for extra Christmas color
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Swap apples for pear slices
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Make it protein-rich by adding grilled chicken or shrimp
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For dairy-free, skip cheese or use vegan feta
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Prep the salad and dressing separately. Toss just before serving.
Q: What dressing works best?
Apple cider vinaigrette or balsamic both pair beautifully.
Q: Is this salad good for Christmas dinner?
Absolutely—its red, green, and white colors make it very festive.