Crunchy apples, tart cranberries, and a zingy honey-mustard dressing come together in this delightful Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe. It’s the kind of salad that brightens up any holiday table with fresh flavors and a festive pop of color.

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three main layers: the base layer is bright green leafy lettuce, the middle layer has light cream and red small chopped apple pieces, and the top layer is sprinkled with roasted brown almonds, dark red dried cranberries, and small chunks of pale blue cheese with dark veins. In the background, there is a small white plate with a piece of blue cheese, a silver spoon, and a glass jar with golden dressing on a white marbled surface. A white cloth with thin black stripes is placed near the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe is one of my go-tos because it’s vibrant, easy to prepare, and brings that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory all in one bowl. Plus, it’s impressive enough for holiday guests but simple enough for a casual weeknight.

Fresh and Festive: The combination of apples and cranberries screams holiday cheer with every bite.
Quick and Simple: You can whip this salad up in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy holiday prep.
Textural Delight: Crunchy lettuce and candied almonds balance the softness of blue cheese and fruit.
Dress it Your Way: The honey-Dijon dressing is tangy and smooth, and you can easily tweak it to taste.

A fresh salad served in a white bowl placed on a white marbled surface shows bright green leafy lettuce as the first layer. On top, there are small cubes of red and yellow apples spread evenly, mixed with dark red dried cranberries. Whole roasted almonds add a crunchy texture and a warm brown color, scattered among the other ingredients. Small bits of blue cheese with its white and dark blue veins sit atop the salad, giving a creamy look. The mix of colors and textures makes the salad look fresh and tasty, with a silver spoon visible near the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe blend textures and flavors that complement each other beautifully. With fresh greens, crisp apples, tart cranberries, and a tangy dressing, every bite is a festive adventure. When shopping, try to pick firm apples and quality blue cheese for the best results.

Flat lay of eight large fresh Romaine lettuce leaves, a handful of vibrant green baby rocket leaves, a small mound of deep red dried cranberries, a neat pile of glossy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese with visible veins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with cubed fresh apple, a small white bowl containing smooth golden honey, another small white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of clear red wine vinegar, a small white bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl filled with rich green olive oil, and two whole uncracked brown eggs, arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Romaine lettuce: Crisp and sturdy, it holds up well against the dressing without wilting quickly.
Baby rocket: Adds a peppery bite that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the fruits.
Dried cranberries: Tart and chewy, they bring that essential Christmas tang.
Candied almonds: For a sweet crunch that adds dimension and festive flair.
Blue cheese: Bold and creamy, it’s a flavor punch that balances the salad’s sweetness.
Apple: Fresh and crunchy, cubed apples add a juicy burst with every forkful.
Dijon mustard: Creates a tangy base for the dressing, pairing perfectly with honey.
Honey: Sweetens the dressing naturally, balancing the acidity.
Red wine vinegar: Adds subtle sharpness and depth.
Lemon juice: Freshens up the dressing with a citrusy zing.
Salt and pepper: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
Olive oil: Smooths and emulsifies the dressing for a velvety finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the mood I’m in. You can easily customize it to suit your tastes or dietary needs without losing that festive spirit.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese for a milder flavor that still adds creaminess.
Nut-Free: If you’re nut-sensitive, try toasted pumpkin seeds instead of candied almonds—they add crunch and stay festive.
Seasonal Swap: Fresh cranberries are fantastic if you're feeling adventurous — just pulse them briefly in a food processor for a more manageable texture.
Make It Vegan: Replace honey with maple syrup and omit the cheese for a plant-based holiday twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dressing

Start by mixing the Dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Then drizzle in the olive oil slowly while whisking constantly to emulsify everything into a silky dressing. This part is key—take your time to whisk well so the dressing doesn’t separate.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base

Take your Romaine lettuce leaves and tear them into bite-sized pieces. Toss them together with the baby rocket to create the fresh green base of your salad. Mixing the greens well ensures that every bite gets balanced with crisp, peppery flavor.

Step 3: Add the Festive Ingredients

Reserve a handful of the dried cranberries, candied almonds, and apple cubes for garnish later. Then toss the rest with your greens and half of the dressing, making sure everything’s coated but not drowning. Folding in the creamy blue cheese now helps distribute the flavor without overpowering.

Step 4: Finish and Garnish

Finally, sprinkle the reserved cranberries, almonds, and apple cubes on top for a beautiful holiday presentation. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top for that fresh, bright punch right before serving. This last step keeps the garnish crisp and colorful.

Top Tip

I've made this Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe dozens of times, and the key to nailing it every time is in how you handle the dressing and the garnishes. Here are my favorite little tricks that make a big difference:

Emulsify Slowly: Drizzle the olive oil slowly as you whisk the dressing to avoid it breaking and to get that luxuriously smooth texture.
Leaf Prep: Always tear Romaine leaves by hand instead of chopping with a knife to keep edges crisp and prevent browning.
Reserve the Garnish: Saving some cranberries, almonds, and apples for topping keeps the salad looking fresh and adds a fun textural contrast.
Dress Just Before Serving: Toss the salad with half the dressing early, but add the rest at the end to brighten up flavors and keep the garnish crunchy.

How to Serve Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe

Christmas apple cranberry salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with a sprinkle of extra candied almonds and a few fresh cranberries when I can find them. A grating of lemon zest over the top adds a subtle brightness I adore, especially when the lemons are in season.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham, but it’s also fantastic alongside vegetarian mains like stuffed squash or savory nut loaves. I often serve it with crusty bread to mop up the dressing.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas dinners, I’ve arranged this salad in a large festive bowl lined with extra Romaine leaves for a pretty green border. Another fun idea is to serve individual portions in clear glass cups layered with the ingredients for a beautiful, layered effect that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and keep the dressing separate if I can. The salad stays fresh for about 1-2 days, but the apples and greens might soften a bit over time.

Freezing

This salad isn’t ideal for freezing due to fresh greens and apples, which can become mushy. I’d recommend making it fresh for the best taste and texture.

Reheating

Since this salad is served cold, reheating isn’t necessary. Just give it a gentle toss and add a splash of fresh lemon or vinegar if the flavors feel muted after refrigeration.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Absolutely! Fresh cranberries add a sharper tartness and a firmer texture. If you use fresh, consider pulsing them briefly in a food processor to break them up slightly so they’re not too hard to chew. This will keep your Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe balanced and enjoyable.

What type of apple works best in this salad?

I prefer firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. They provide a nice crunch and hold their shape well when tossed in the salad. Softer apples tend to become mushy, which can change the texture of the Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe.

Can I prepare the salad dressing ahead of time?

Yes! The dressing can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before using to remix the ingredients. This makes assembling the salad on the day of serving a breeze.

How long can I keep leftovers in the fridge?

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for about 1-2 days. To keep the salad fresh longer, store the dressing separately from the salad greens and add it just before serving the leftovers.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Apple Cranberry Salad Recipe feels like a little holiday magic in a bowl every time I make it. It’s fresh, easy, and just fancy enough to make your festive meal feel special without stress. I’m confident you’ll enjoy tossing it up for your next Christmas gathering—plus, it’s a great way to add some green to your holiday plate. Give it a try and let those crisp apples and sweet cranberries brighten your season!