Easy Holiday Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Cranberries, and Pecans
Inside: This easy holiday salad with spinach, mandarin oranges, cranberries, feta, and candied pecans is a colorful, delicious side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, topped with creamy poppy seed dressing.
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My favorite recipes are the ones that look like I went to a lot of trouble, but are secretly a breeze to make. That’s exactly why this holiday salad has been one of my go-to recipes for years when I want to serve something a little more special. It’s colorful, looks a little fancy, and takes just minutes to throw together.
We served it over and over for the six years I headed up PTO teacher luncheons because it was easy to make for a big group, looked so much more special than an ordinary green salad, and didn’t involve any cutting, chopping, or worrying about fresh fruit turning brown before lunchtime.
And it’s not just an explosion of color. Every bite has a little something different: sweet mandarin oranges, tart dried cranberries, tangy feta, crunchy candied pecans, and that delicious creamy poppy seed dressing that really brings it to another level.
It’s especially pretty on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table, and a nice fresh addition alongside all those rich holiday favorites (not that I’d ever suggest skipping the dressing or sweet potato casserole)!
Why Is This Salad Perfect for the Holidays?
One of the best things about this salad for holiday meals is that it doesn’t require any cooking or oven space. And since most of the ingredients can be kept on hand, it’s one less thing to worry about during the holiday rush.
You can also prepare the ingredients ahead of time and toss everything together just before serving, so there’s no last-minute stress while you’re trying to get the rest of dinner on the table.
Ingredients for Holiday Salad.
Here’s everything you’ll need to put this colorful salad together:
- 5 oz. baby spinach
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries, such as Ocean Spray Craisins
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup candied pecans
- ⅓–½ cup Briannas Rich Poppy Seed Dressing
A little note about amounts: These measurements are a starting point, not an exact science. Depending on the size and shape of your serving bowl, you may want a little more spinach or a heavier hand with the toppings. I usually adjust everything until I have a nice balance of ingredients throughout the salad.
How to Make Holiday Salad.
1. Start with the spinach. Place the baby spinach in a large serving bowl.
2. Add the fruit. Drain the mandarin oranges well, then scatter them and the dried cranberries over the spinach.
3. Add the cheese and pecans. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied pecans evenly over the salad.
4. Dress and serve. Just before serving, drizzle with Briannas Rich Poppy Seed Dressing and gently toss to coat, or serve the dressing on the side. Start with a little dressing and add more as needed so the spinach doesn’t get weighed down.
You’ll find the complete recipe with measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card below. You can save it for later or print it out to keep handy!
Easy Holiday Salad Printable Recipe.
Easy Holiday Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 5 oz. baby spinach
- 1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries, such as Ocean Spray Craisins
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup candied pecans
- ⅓ –½ cup Briannas Rich Poppy Seed Dressing
Instructions
- Place the baby spinach in a large serving bowl.
- Drain the mandarin oranges well, then scatter them and the dried cranberries over the spinach.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied pecans evenly over the salad.
- Just before serving, drizzle with poppy seed dressing and gently toss to coat, or serve the dressing on the side. Start with a little dressing and add more as needed.
Notes
- Make ahead: Drain the oranges and measure out the toppings up to a day ahead. You can also assemble the spinach, oranges, cranberries, and feta a few hours before serving. Cover and refrigerate, adding the candied pecans and dressing just before serving.
- Adjust to taste: Ingredient amounts are flexible. Add more or less of your favorite toppings depending on the size of your serving bowl and how much salad you’re making.
- Variations: Substitute mixed greens for the spinach, candied walnuts for the pecans, or goat cheese for the feta. Fresh apple or pear slices are also delicious when added just before serving.
Can You Make Holiday Salad Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! And that’s one more reason I love serving this salad when there’s a lot going on in the kitchen.
You can drain the mandarin oranges and measure out the cranberries, feta, and pecans a day ahead. Keep the spinach, oranges and feta refrigerated in separate covered containers, and the pecans sealed at room temperature so they stay crunchy.
You can even arrange the spinach, oranges, cranberries, and feta in your serving bowl a few hours early, cover it, and refrigerate it. Just wait to add the candied pecans and poppy seed dressing until right before serving so the nuts stay crunchy and the spinach doesn’t wilt.
Easy Substitutions and Variations.
I love this salad just the way it is, but it’s also easy to change up depending on what you have on hand or what your family likes.
- Change the greens. Substitute spring mix or a combination of baby spinach and mixed greens.
- Try another cheese. Goat cheese or blue cheese would work in place of the feta, depending on how much tang you like.
- Switch the nuts. Candied walnuts are a good substitute for the pecans. You can also use plain toasted pecans if you prefer less sweetness.
- Use fresh oranges. Fresh mandarin oranges or clementines work just as well as canned. You’ll just have a little more peeling to do.
- Add apples or pears. Thinly sliced fresh apples or pears in place of the oranges are delicious in this salad, especially for Thanksgiving. Just slice them shortly before serving so they don’t turn brown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Salad.
How much poppy seed dressing should I use?
Start with about ⅓ cup of dressing and add more to taste. You want enough to lightly coat the spinach and toppings without having dressing pooling in the bottom of the bowl.
How long will leftover holiday salad keep?
If the salad hasn’t been dressed, you can cover and refrigerate the leftovers for another day or two, depending on how fresh the spinach is. Once the dressing has been added, the spinach will start to wilt, so it’s best eaten the same day.
more Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
- Homemade Southern Cornbread Dressing (Just Like Grandma’s, Only Easier)
- Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Brown Sugar and Orange
- Boursin Cheese with Fig Jam (Two Easy Appetizer Versions)
- Gingerbread Bundt Cake (Shortcut Version)
- Easy Cheesy Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole (Make Ahead in Minutes)
I haven’t had to make this salad for a roomful of teachers in quite a while, but it’s still the first one that comes to mind when I’m planning a special meal. And after all these years, I still haven’t gotten tired of it!
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