~ A vibrantly beautiful salad that’s truly fit for a celebration! Shape it like a gorgeous Christmas wreath for a showstopping edible centerpiece. Tender greens are dotted with crunchy pistachios, sweet-tart pomegranate arils, and juicy supremed oranges, finished with creamy goat cheese and a light citrus‑champagne vinaigrette. A perfect party salad! ~

This Recipe Is:   •  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less  •  Includes Make-Ahead Steps  •  Vegetarian  •  Gluten Free  •

This salad announces celebration from the first glance — bright red pomegranate arils against vivid green pistachios and tender mixed greens. A dusting of crumbled goat cheese makes it feel wintery and festive, while a citrus‑champagne vinaigrette adds a light, sparkling finish.

Despite its showstopping appearance, the recipe is simple to pull together. It’s practical for holiday entertaining: easy to prep ahead, quick to assemble, and elegant on the table. Watch the short video tutorial in the post to see how effortlessly it comes together.

Video Tutorial

Back to the salad: the color contrast is why this works so well for the holidays. The cran-red arils and bright pistachios practically spell Christmas, and the citrus segments look polished when supremed — free of pith and membranes.

This salad isn’t limited to Christmas — it’s lovely for Thanksgiving, winter dinners, or any time you want a bright, clean starter. But its colors and presentation make it an especially lovely holiday tradition to bring out each year.

With a few smart shortcuts it’s quick to serve. Many components can be prepped in advance, then assembled just before guests arrive so the greens stay crisp and the toppings look fresh.

Quick Shopping Tips

Greens – Bagged spring mix or baby lettuce saves time and looks attractive on a platter.

Champagne Vinegar – If your store doesn’t carry it, a mild white wine vinegar can stand in, but champagne vinegar gives a subtle celebratory note that pairs perfectly with the orange.

Pistachios – Shelled pistachios save prep time; buying them on sale and storing in the fridge extends their shelf life.

Pomegranates – Prepackaged pomegranate arils are a time-saver. If you buy whole pomegranates, there’s a simple, low-mess method to remove the arils in minutes.

Cheese – Crumbled goat cheese is convenient and spreads flavor evenly across the salad without the mess of crumbling fresh logs in the kitchen.

How to Supreme an Orange (Cutting Oranges Like a Pro)

Supreming removes peel, pith, and membranes so the orange segments are clean and elegant. The steps are straightforward:

1) Trim both ends so the orange sits flat.

2) Stand it on an end and slice away the peel and pith, following the fruit’s curve.

3) Remove any remaining bits of white pith.

4) Using a sharp knife, slice along each membrane to release individual segments, cutting toward the center so the membranes stay behind on the core.

The result is bright, pith‑free orange segments that look professional and release just enough juice to balance the dressing without sogging the greens.

Juicy Orange Secret

Let an orange come to room temperature before juicing; you’ll get more juice and better flavor for the vinaigrette.

Make-Ahead Strategies

You can prep most components ahead: wash and dry the greens, supreme the oranges, make the vinaigrette, and store everything separately in the fridge. Combine the salad and dress it just before serving to keep the greens crisp and the goat cheese from picking up color from the pomegranate arils.

Christmas Wreath Edible Centerpiece

For a simple presentation, arrange the salad on a round platter and fan the orange segments around the edge, scattering pistachios, arils, and goat cheese across the greens.

For a dramatic centerpiece, shape the salad into a wreath and nestle a small bowl of dressing in the center — instant holiday decoration that guests can admire and eat.

Happy holidays — may your season be filled with good food, laughter, and time with the people you love.

More Delicious Holiday Salad Recipe Ideas …

• Chicken Cobb “Christmas Tree” Holiday Salad
• Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, Candied Pecans and Maple‑Balsamic Dressing
• Christmas Fruit Salad
• Salad with Nuts, Feta and Cranberries (Two Ways!)
• Kale Chopped Salad with Berries and Freekeh (or Quinoa)

Christmas Salad with Citrus-Champagne Vinaigrette

Yield:
About 11 cups

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

This delicious, easy Christmas salad is vibrantly beautiful and truly fit for a celebration. It can even be served as a festive wreath!

•  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less  •  Includes Make-Ahead Steps  •  Vegetarian  •  Gluten Free  •

Ingredients

Salad:

• 5 ounces salad greens (spring mix or baby lettuce mix)
• 2 navel oranges, peeled and cut into sections (see supreming directions above)
• 4 ounces shelled, roasted and salted pistachios (about 1 scant cup)
• 4 ounces pomegranate arils (drained)
• 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese (about 1/2 cup)

Dressing:

• 5 tablespoons fresh‑squeezed orange juice (about half a large navel orange)
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 3 1/2 teaspoons champagne vinegar
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/16 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Place greens in a large serving bowl or divide among individual plates.
2. Arrange orange sections, pistachios, and pomegranate arils over the greens. Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese.
3. To make the dressing, whisk together orange juice, honey, champagne vinegar, canola oil, Dijon, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
4. Dress the salad just before serving, or pass the vinaigrette at the table so guests can add their own.

Notes

Make-ahead tips: Prepare the dressing, supreme the oranges, and store components separately in covered containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and dress the salad within an hour of serving to keep greens crisp and toppings fresh.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 11 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 119
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 104mg
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients or preparation. Consult a professional for specific dietary advice.