Jingle Bell Berry Spinach Salad a Christmas Crowdpleaser

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get bored of the same old Christmas dinner sides? The Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is here to save the day! It’s a flavour explosion, I tell you! This spinach salad sings with sweet cranberry and tangy goat cheese.

Brief Overview

This festive Cranberry Salad recipe has roots in American holiday traditions. It's super easy. Takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Makes enough for 6-8 hungry guests.

Main Benefits

Spinach is packed with iron. This salad is relatively healthy. It balances out the richness of Christmas dinner. Perfect for a Christmas gathering or any holiday feast.

What makes it special? The delightful mix of textures and tastes.

Ready to find out why it's one of the Best Salad Recipes ? Let's dive into the ingredients, shall we?

Jingle Bell Berry Spinach Salad: A Christmas Crowd Pleaser

This vibrant Christmas salad is a celebration of fresh flavours and textures. The combination of spinach, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans and tangy goat cheese, all tossed in a light and bright balsamic vinaigrette makes it the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas dinner side dish .

Trust me, it helps balance out those mince pies.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

Making this Festive Spinach Salad is dead simple. We're talking minimal cooking. Mostly chopping and chucking it all together, honestly.

Takes about 25- 30 minutes to bring this beautiful Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad to life. I often double the dressing!

What’s in this Delightful Salad?

We need spinach of course! About 10 oz of baby spinach, cranberries (dried), pecans (toasted), goat cheese and some red onion.

For the dressing, grab some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, Dijon mustard and honey. Simple, innit? You'll be amazed by this cranberry goat cheese salad .

Tips for a Top-Notch Salad

Okay, listen up! Dry the spinach properly. Nobody likes a soggy salad. Toast the pecans to bring out that nutty flavour.

Don’t overdress it. Add dressing just before serving to prevent wilting, and for an intense flavour chill the dressing before use.

Make sure you use quality ingredients for the best Christmas Salads .

This Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a total winner. You'll be the star of Christmas this year for sure.

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad

So, you're ready to make this incredible salad? Ace! Let's talk ingredients. This Festive spinach salad needs the best stuff to truly shine.

Honestly, finding the right ingredients makes all the difference. I’m really buzzing about this Christmas Salad recipe . I’m ready to get started, how about you?

Main Players: The Salad Ingredients

• Spinach: You need 10 oz (283g) of fresh, baby spinach. Quality? Look for vibrant green leaves. Avoid anything wilted or slimy, yeah?
• Cranberries: Get 1 cup (113g) of dried cranberries. The sweetened ones (Craisins) work brilliantly.
• Pecans: 1 cup (100g) pecan halves. Toasting is key for flavor.
• Goat Cheese: 4 oz (113g) of crumbled goat cheese, for that tang.
• Red Onion: Just 1/2 cup (75g) , thinly sliced. Don’t overdo it, it can be overpowering.

Vinaigrette Vibes: Sweet, Tangy & Zingy

• Olive Oil: 1/4 cup (60ml) , extra virgin, naturally.
• Balsamic Vinegar: 3 tablespoons (45ml) . This gives it that classic zing .
• Orange Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Freshly squeezed, always tastes the best!
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) .
• Sweetener: 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey or maple syrup. Your call!
• Seasoning: 1/4 teaspoon each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust to your taste.

Did you know the use of Cranberry Salad with the addition of different cheeses and dressings has a long history? It may have origins as far back as the 17th century.

Spice It Up: Seasoning Notes

For this cranberry goat cheese salad , the balsamic and Dijon combo is clutch. They provide that essential savory base.

The honey just rounds everything out, adding a touch of sweetness. You can easily sub maple syrup or agave for the honey.

It makes this easy Christmas salad recipe more interesting.

Tool Time: Equipment Needed

Honestly, you don't need fancy gear for this Christmas dinner side dish .

• Large Salad Bowl: For tossing everything together.
• Small Bowl & Whisk: For the vinaigrette. A fork works too, no stress.
• Small Skillet: (Optional) For toasting pecans. A baking sheet in the oven is also cool.
• Cutting Board & Knife: Obvs, for chopping.

That's it! Nothing too intimidating. Time to create Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad . You'll be amazed how a few simple ingredients can make such a show stopping salad.

Cooking Method: Assembling the Perfect Jingle Bell Berry Spinach Salad

So, you're thinking about making a Christmas Salad Recipes ? Brilliant! Let's dive into how to put together my all-time favourite " Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad ".

Honestly, it's ridiculously easy, and it adds a touch of class and freshness to any Christmas spread. Forget complicated, we're going for delicious and doable.

Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row

First things first: mise en place , darling. Get everything prepped and ready. Wash and thoroughly dry the 10 oz (283g) of baby spinach.

Honestly, nobody wants a soggy salad. Chop 1 cup (100g) of pecans if you're toasting them yourself and thinly slice ½ cup (75g) of red onion.

Crumble 4 oz (113g) of goat cheese. Have your 1 cup (113g) of dried cranberries at the ready. Time saving tip? Buy pre-toasted nuts!

step-by-step Process: Salad Assembly

1. Toast the pecans (optional): Heat pecans in a skillet over medium heat for 5- 7 minutes .
2. Whisk the vinaigrette: Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a big bowl, mix the spinach, cranberries, pecans, goat cheese, and red onion.
4. Dress and Serve: Right before serving, drizzle the dressing and gently toss it all together.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Salad Game

Want to take your Festive spinach salad to the next level? Toast those pecans! It brings out the flavour, big time.

Also, don't drown the salad in dressing! Add just enough to coat everything lightly. A common mistake is overdoing the dressing, leading to a soggy mess.

The beauty of Holiday Salads like this is their freshness, so don’t ruin it. You can make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

However, always dress the salad right before serving.

Honestly, this Easy Christmas salad recipe is foolproof. Give it a whirl, and watch your guests gobble it up. It's the Best Salad Recipes for a reason! A great Christmas dinner side dish too!

Recipe Notes for Your Jingle Bell Berry Spinach Salad

So, you're about to make the Best Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad , eh? Fantastic choice! It's a real crowd pleaser. Honestly, this salad is so versatile.

You can really make it your own. Here are some extra bits and bobs to keep in mind. These will help you create the perfect Christmas salad recipes masterpiece.

Plating Perfection: Serve with Style!

Right, presentation matters, doesn't it? After all, we eat with our eyes first! For a festive touch, arrange the holiday salads in a shallow bowl.

Garnish with a few extra cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. You could also try individual servings in pretty glass bowls.

Serve alongside a glass of chilled prosecco. The bubbles pair perfectly with the cranberry salad's tang. It's such a yummy Christmas dinner side dish !

Storage Savvy: Keep It Fresh!

Listen up! This salad is best served fresh, as spinach wilts quickly once dressed. If you need to prep ahead, store the undressed salad components separately.

Store the vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days . Just before serving, toss everything together.

If you have leftovers, they'll keep in the fridge for a day, but the spinach might be a bit softer.

Best enjoyed fresh, though!

Twist It Up: Festive Variations Await!

Fancy a little change? No problem. Swap the goat cheese for feta if you prefer a saltier kick. For a vegan Christmas salad recipe , ditch the cheese and use a plant based alternative, or try sprinkling with nutritional yeast.

Want to boost the festive flavour? Add some orange zest to the vinaigrette. It's a simple twist that makes all the difference.

Also, if you're not a fan of pecans, walnuts work just as well in this festive spinach salad !

Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness in Every Bite!

This cranberry goat cheese salad isn’t just delicious, it's good for you, too! Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Cranberries are full of antioxidants. Pecans provide healthy fats. Goat cheese adds a bit of protein and calcium. All in all, it's a well rounded Christmas salads that won't leave you feeling guilty.

Enjoy the deliciousness and the health benefits of this best salad recipes !

Alright, there you have it! All the info you need to create an absolutely smashing salad. Go on, give it a go! You'll be surprised how easy it is.

And how much everyone will love your spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette ! Honestly, this salad is a guaranteed hit.

Merry Christmas, and happy salad making!