It’s the perfect time to share holiday cheer with friends and family.
You can create special dishes to serve your dining room guests if you are a professional in the food service industry.
Now is the perfect time to show off your culinary skills, whether you are cooking at home or in a restaurant.
Think about the primary colors of the season: red and emerald. Imagine adding these vibrant colors to a classic dish. You can create new salads by focusing on leafy vegetables.
You only need a few simple ingredients, some creative salad ideas for the holidays, and some insider tips. All the information you need is right here. Let us provide you with the best seasonal offerings.
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR HOLIDAY SALAD
You and a professional restaurant chef share several similarities:
Both of you enjoy cooking, are interested in time-saving tips, and stock the fridge and pantry with plenty of food.
Most likely, you already have a few salad staples. Add these to your list if you don’t already have them.
Use them as inspiration to create your holiday salads.
CLASSIC LEAFY GREEN
A perfect base is the key to any salad. During the holidays you can find these tasty leafy greens, which are all very nutritious.
- Romaine lettuce Leaves and Hearts
- Napa Cabbage, Kale and Arugula
- Butterhead, baby iceberg and loose leaf lettuce
GREEN VEGABLES AND HERBS
Add a variety of vegetables to your salads for a vibrant green color. Fresh herbs can also be used to great effect.
- Green beans, Brussels Sprouts, and Avocados
- Basil, lemonbalm, parsley, and chives
BRIGHTLY COLORED VEGGIES
When planning a special dinner, presentation is key. Brighten your choices with vibrant colors.
Add colorful vegetables to your salads for a festive touch.
- Chioggia beets, red peppers and Red onions
- Kabocha squash with carrots, cherry tomatoes and other vegetables
SWEET HOLIDAY FRUITS
Fruits and holidays are a great combination, especially if you want to create a unique holiday dish.
These ingredients will give your salads an attractive and delicate touch.
- Apples, pears and persimmons
- Red and green grapes
- Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
- Toppers with Texture
Add different textures to your salads by adding toppings.
The toppers add extra flavor to the recipe.
- Nuts, almonds, and candied pecans
- Bacon bits and homemade croutons
- Sunflower, pumpkin and pomegranate seeds
FLAVORFUL CHEESE OPTIONS
The addition of cheese to your salad will make it a triple treat. Enjoy a variety of textures, additional nutrition, and flavors that range from mild and sweet to smoky and nutty.
- Parmesan, mozzarella and feta
- Swiss, cheddar, and blue cheese
FAVORITE SALAD DRESSINGS
Dressing is an essential ingredient for salads, whether you like vinaigrette or creamy dressing. You can also celebrate the holidays by -blending your own.
- Vinaigrette with red wine, raspberry, or balsamic
- Creamy Ranch or Thousand Island Dressing
- Blue cheese, Russian, or tangy Caesar dressing
DELICIOUS HOLIDAY IDEAS FOR SALAD
There’s a salad for every celebration, from New Year’s Eve to Christmas dinners.
Enjoy these 15 tasty recipes to brighten up your casual or elegant gatherings.
ROMAINE LETTUCE & APPLE SALAD
Combine crisped romaine wedges and sliced honeycrisp apple slices to create a deliciously crunchy dish that will impress your holiday guests.
Finish with a homemade dressing of blue cheese and festive candied nuts.
WINTER WEDGE SALAD WITH PEAR
Individual winter salads: Baby iceberg lettuce is the ideal size.
The recipe is infused with holiday flavors thanks to the toasted pinenuts, balsamic vinegar, and poached pears.
CHRISTMAS KALE ALAD
Salads of beautiful reds and deep greens will showcase the colors of the season.
Decorate a fresh bed of kale by adding red Swiss chard slices, beets, and dried cherries.
Serve with warm honey and red wine vinaigrette.
SALAD OF RAW AND ROASTED BRUSSELS SPRINGS PURPLE
This vibrant dish brings out all the goodness in Brussels sprouts.
The roasted Purple Brussels sprouts have a nutty flavor, and the crunchy raw sprouts are irresistible.
This salad would make a lovely edible centerpiece on your table.
ROMAINE HEARTS & PEAR SALAD
Serve a generous honey-dressed romaine salad with seared pears and toasted pumpkin seed.
The recipe can be easily transformed into a holiday meal by adding seared chicken.
NAPA CABBAGE GRILLED SALAD
A festive salad with grilled Napa Cabbage, radicchio, and other vegetables will warm up your special meal.
Radicchio is spicy and pairs well with Asian pears, roasted almonds, and roasted nuts.
This is a great way to prepare food quickly.
FATTOUSH AND ROMAINE HEARTS
The base of this holiday version of a Mediterranean Classic is shredded pita bread with chopped romaine hearts.
Start a new tradition for Christmas with this delicious salad, which includes Persian cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
KALE, CRANBERRY QUINOA AND SALAD
A salad dressed in holiday greens and reds will liven up your dinner table. The crunch of kale is the perfect backdrop for tart, crimson-colored cranberries.
Quinoa gives this dish a nutty flavor.
NAPA CABBAGE HEARTS AND AVOCADOS
Use sliced avocados and Napa cabbage hearts to add some California sunshine to your holiday salad.
Combine the sweet sugar snap peas with the citrusy tang of oranges to create a new winter recipe.
A VERY VEGAN CAESAR SALAD
Give your guests a sophisticated salad, which can also be used as a delicious vegetarian entree.
Skewered, grilled radishes atop romaine hearts add a striking presentation to the dish and bring out its wonderful flavors.
CRUNCHY SPROUT SALAD FROM BRUSSELS
Enjoy this recipe to dispel any doubts about the delicious taste and texture that raw Brussels sprouts have.
Slice a Chiffonade sprouts. Toss with white cheddar and sliced almonds. Decorate with dried sweetened cranberries.
BROCCOLI SALAD CASHEWS
Not all salads for the holidays start with leafy greens.
This broccoli salad example is a tasty one.
Garnish raw broccoli florets by adding crunchy cashews and chewy raisins.
The dressing is made up of a mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar mixture.
BABY ICEBERG LETTUCE STACKS
Do not be surprised if guests stop to take photos of these stunning stacked salads.
If you know how to build a sandwich, you’ll be able to create iceberg babies with layers of cucumbers, fried chickpeas, and heirloom tomatoes.