Holiday Green Salad with Fruit

Santa.com wants to help you find everything you need to make the holidays special! If you purchase or click on something we link to, Santa.com may be entitled to a commission. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."

Looking to add a fresh twist to your holiday spread? This holiday salad with fruit brings a burst of seasonal flavors to the table. With a medley of crisp greens, juicy apples, candied pecans, and more, it’s the perfect blend of festive cheer and refreshing taste. A perfect and easy Thanksgiving or Christmas salad recipe!

Holiday Green Salad with Fruit Recipe

• Prep time: 15 mins

• Cook time: 5 mins

• Total time: 20 mins

• Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

• Salad

  • 5 oz goat cheese, crumbled

  • 4 cups chopped kale

  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds

  • 1 large apple

  • 1 tsp olive oil

  • Pinch sea salt

• Candied Pecans

  • 1 cup pecan halves

  • 6 Tbsps brown sugar

  • 1 Tbsp water

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

  • Pinch sea salt

• Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 6 Tbsps olive oil

  • 2 Tbsps balsamic vinegar

  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Prepare candied pecans. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, water, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk until combined and heat until it just begins to bubble.

2. Add pecans and stir until the pecans are thoroughly coated. Continue cooking to 2-3 minutes, or until the pecans are coated, and the brown sugar mixture is sticky. 

3. Remove the pecans from the pan and spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment into a single layer to cool completely.

4. Prepare the balsamic vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard until homogeneous. 

5. Massage the kale. In a large bowl, add the kale, olive oil, and sea salt. With clean hands, massage the kale by scrunchy handfuls of leaves until the kale has softened and is darker in color.

6. Slice Apple. Cut the apple into thin wedges, removing the core and seeds.

7. Assemble the salad. In a large serving bowl, add kale, apples, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, candied pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Dress with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Prepare candied pecans. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, water, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk until combined and heat until it just begins to bubble.

Step 2

Add pecans and stir until the pecans are thoroughly coated. Continue cooking to 2-3 minutes, or until the pecans are coated, and the brown sugar mixture is sticky.

Step 3

Remove the pecans from the pan and spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment into a single layer to cool completely.

Step 4

Prepare the balsamic vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard until homogeneous. 

Step 5

Massage the kale. In a large bowl, add the kale, olive oil, and sea salt. With clean hands, massage the kale by scrunchy handfuls of leaves until the kale has softened and is darker in color.

Step 6

Slice Apple. Cut the apple into thin wedges, removing the core and seeds.

Step 7

Assemble the salad. In a large serving bowl, add kale, apples, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, candied pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Dress with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.

SANTA.COM… MAKING HAPPY HAPPEN™

You Might Enjoy...