21 Best Christmas Salads for a Pop of Color and Freshness
These bright sides will round out your meal.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
When you think of Christmas dinner, what dishes typically come to mind? Maybe a big holiday roast, mashed potatoes, or Christmas cookies? It's basically an assortment of comfort food dishes! In fact, you might not have even thought to consider adding a Christmas salad to your holiday feast, but you should probably change your mind. Salads are a great way to add a pop of color and freshness to Christmas spread.
Here, you'll find tons of Christmas salad recipes to serve as a Christmas appetizer or Christmas side, including classic salads, creative salads, and some of the best Pioneer Woman salad recipes of all time. (Plus, they double as healthy Christmas recipes!) Ree's ranch chopped salad would make a refreshing accompaniment to your Christmas ham. Try a cabbage salad that'll stay crunchy for days or Ree's favorite kale citrus salad with a spicy kick.
Looking for a Christmas salad that'll please everyone? Try a wedge salad or a classic Caesar salad. Add some protein and it's perfect for a Christmas brunch. There are also tons of ways to let seasonal winter produce shine—add some roasted butternut squash, shaved Brussels sprouts, or even citrus fruits to your bed of greens. With plenty of tasty mix-ins, like dried cranberries and crunchy salad toppers, these Christmas salads are sure to be a hit. Don't forget a drizzle of salad dressing!
Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
Ah, the cold weather harvest! Mix baby kale and seasonal squash with creamy goat cheese, cranberries, and pepitas for a flavorful, seasonal dish.
Get Ree's Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
Cabbage Salad
This crispy and crunchy salad is a refreshing break from all the creamy and rich dishes. The best part is that you can make it up to two days in advance and it will still stay fresh!
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Waldorf Salad
This old-fashioned salad is making a comeback! It's a delectable combo of apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and a creamy dressing atop a bed of bibb lettuce.
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Collard Green Salad
Hearty collard greens work so well with crispy onions, black-eyed peas, and buttermilk dressing. Bonus: Many of the ingredients are known to promote health and wealth ahead of the new year!
Get the Collard Green Salad recipe.
Green Bean Salad
This fresh take on green beans will surprise your guests! The green beans, tomatoes, and red onion join forces with tasty mix-ins like olives, cheese, and almonds.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Holiday Salad
Thanksgiving might have come and gone, but this salad can last you through the holiday season! It's loaded with festive flavors, like crisp sliced apples, tangy blue cheese, and smoky nuts. Just be sure to make enough for seconds!
Get the Holiday Salad recipe.
Watercress Salad
Every hearty holiday meal needs a crisp and refreshing side dish like this watercress salad to balance it out! It's finished with a honey-balsamic dressing and salted roasted pistachios for an added crunch.
Get Ree's Watercress Salad with Pistachios recipe.
Caesar Salad
You can't go wrong with a classic Caesar salad. It's crowd-pleasing for a reason and the homemade dressing and croutons only make it better!
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This crunchy salad highlights one of the more popular winter veggies these days: Brussels sprouts! When thinly sliced and served raw with dried cranberries and slivered almonds, they become just like a crisp slaw.
Get the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Broccoli Salad
If you're heading out to a potluck Christmas or just looking for a make-ahead dish to serve at home, this broccoli salad is just what you need. It's creamy, crunchy, and just a little bit sweet thanks to dried cranberries.
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Here's a fun holiday starter to kick things off: salad on a stick! It's an easy way to serve salad to a crowd.
Get the Chef’s Salad on a Stick recipe.
Classic Three-Bean Salad
Swap out the heavy green bean casserole in favor of something a little lighter, yet still just as tasty this holiday season. This potluck-ready salad is made with fresh green beans, canned beans, and a flavorful red wine vinaigrette.
Get Ree's Classic Three-Bean Salad recipe.
Ultimate Winter Salad
This colorful salad has a bit of everything—fresh veggies, leftover roasted squash, candied nuts, and winter fruit. It will look stunning on any holiday table.
Get the Ultimate Winter Salad recipe.
Antipasti Chopped Salad
Try this salad as a starter for your Christmas dinner—or any hearty Italian meal for that matter. It's packed with goodies like sliced pepperoni, salami, cheese, and marinated veggies.
Get Ree's Antipasti Chopped Salad recipe.
Roasted Beet Salad
All your guests will be impressed by this colorful salad. To make the presentation look fancy, simply plate the roasted beets, grapefruit, and baby lettuces over a heaping dollop of bright pink beet vinaigrette.
Get Ree's Roasted Beet Salad recipe.
Greek Salad
This classic salad is a year-round favorite. Pair it with lamb chops, roast chicken, or even roasted potatoes.
Get Ree's Greek Salad recipe.
Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
This crunchy salad would make a beautiful starter at your holiday meal. You could even put all the wedges on a big platter (family-style) and let your guests help themselves.
Get Ree's Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing recipe.
Holiday Wild Rice Salad
We love loaded salads—especially for Christmas! This one is packed with hearty mix-ins, like wild rice, apples, pecans, and bacon.
Get the Holiday Wild Rice Salad recipe.
Ranch Chopped Salad
This crunchy salad is topped with a creamy buttermilk-based dressing that would taste just as delicious alongside a steak dinner as it would your holiday roast.
Get Ree's Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.
Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries
"My favorite salads are ones with lots of different things going on: some kind of fruit, some kind of nut, some kind of cheese," Ree says. Make it your own by swapping pears for apple, goat cheese for blue cheese, or even cranberries for cherries.
Get Ree's Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries recipe.
15 Best Chicken Salad Recipes
Make These Easy Wraps For Back-To-School Lunches
25 Best Salad Recipes
These School Lunch Ideas Are All Kid-Approved
