Fresh, colorful and beautifully festive, this Holiday Harvest Salad brings a welcome burst of brightness to a rich holiday meal. Crisp apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans, creamy goat cheese and tender greens are tossed with a homemade maple-Dijon vinaigrette for a sweet, tangy and savory salad perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Flavour Quest Recipes

Holiday Harvest Salad with Apples, Cranberries & Candied Pecans

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings: 8

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

For the Salad

8 cups mixed baby greens
2 crisp apples thinly sliced
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup candied pecans
½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
½ small red onion very thinly sliced
½ cup pomegranate arils

For the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove finely grated
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Method

Prepare the vinaigrette.

Whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.

Prepare the apples.

Thinly slice the apples shortly before assembling the salad. If preparing them in advance, toss them with a small amount of lemon juice to prevent browning.

Build the salad.

Arrange the mixed greens in a large serving bowl or across a festive platter.

Add the toppings.

Layer the apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans, goat cheese, red onion and pomegranate arils over the greens.

Dress the salad.

Drizzle with enough maple-Dijon vinaigrette to lightly coat the ingredients.

Finish and serve.

Gently toss just before serving, leaving some of the colorful toppings visible for a beautiful holiday presentation.

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🔄 Variations

🍐 Pear Harvest Salad: Replace the apples with ripe but firm sliced pears.

🧀 Blue Cheese Harvest Salad: Substitute crumbled blue cheese for the goat cheese for a stronger savory flavor.

🍊 Citrus Holiday Salad: Add fresh mandarin orange segments for extra color and sweetness.

🌰 Walnut Harvest Salad: Replace the candied pecans with toasted or candied walnuts.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

🦃 Serve alongside Herb Butter Roasted Turkey and Sausage & Herb Stuffing for Thanksgiving.

🍖 Pair with Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham for Christmas dinner.

🥔 Serve before richer sides such as mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and sweet potato casserole to bring freshness to the meal.

🧊 Storage

Store the greens, toppings and vinaigrette separately in the refrigerator. Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed immediately.

The vinaigrette can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.

💡 Pro Tips

Use a combination of red and green apples for an especially festive presentation.

Don’t dress the salad until you’re ready to serve it. This keeps the greens crisp and prevents the pecans from becoming soft.

Pomegranate arils are especially useful here—they add jewel-like color that makes the salad look naturally Christmas-ready without needing excessive garnish.

❓ FAQs

What apples are best for Holiday Harvest Salad?
Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala and Granny Smith all work well. Using two varieties gives the salad more flavor and color.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the components separately and assemble shortly before serving.

Can I make it without cheese?
Absolutely. Simply omit the cheese or use your preferred dairy-free alternative.

Can I use regular pecans instead of candied pecans?
Yes. Toasted pecans are delicious and make the salad less sweet.

What can I substitute for pomegranate?
Additional dried cranberries, fresh raspberries or orange segments can provide festive color.