I Repeat 13 Christmas Salad Recipes Every Holiday Season

When the turkey and ham start taking over the table, it’s time for backup, 13 Christmas salads that bring balance to the feast. These cheerful bowls don’t compete with the mains; they just quietly steal attention. They keep things from turning into a full-on carb marathon.

A bowl of fresh red cabbage coleslaw garnished with herbs.
Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Caprese salad in a serving bowl, with tomatoes, oil and balsamic glaze nearby.
Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fancy plates don’t need fancy prep when this shows up on the table. Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes keeps things quick, fresh, and always colorful for company. It matches well alongside big dinners without making things heavy. Folks reach out for seconds since every bite feels light but filling.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

A bowl of mixed greens salad with sliced Honeycrisp apples, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese.
Crisp Honeycrisp Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fruit and crunch work together every time this makes an appearance. Crisp Honeycrisp Salad pops on any plate with a bright look and smooth mix so it stands out at crowded tables. The sweet snap in each bite leaves everyone taking bigger helpings. People always comment about the texture and ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make

Waldorf salad on a bed of lettuce, with salad servers resting on top.
Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Holiday meals get a bit of nostalgia with this one. Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make brings a mix of creamy and crunchy for plates that need a bit of balance. The combo never feels old, and regulars always scoop up another helping. You’ll hear stories and laughs whenever this lands at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make

Layered Seven Layer Salad

A clear glass bowl layered with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green peas, corn, diced celery, and topped with chunks of grilled chicken, garnished with a dollop of mayonnaise.
Layered Seven Layer Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Extra color makes salads twice as fun to serve at group dinners. Layered Seven Layer Salad brings out tall glasses and deep bowls so nobody misses out on a scoop. Each layer stands out clear, inviting you to dig deeper for every spoonful. It feels as much a showpiece as any main dish in the spread.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad

A bowl of fresh salad with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and herbs, seasoned with black pepper, with a serving spoon.
Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Some side dishes keep things bright and fresh without much fuss. Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad builds a simple combo that cuts through big flavors, making it perfect as a counterpart for heavy main courses. Friends notice the crunch as a nice surprise. It’s the first thing people finish up on their plates.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad

Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Close-up of a flavorful chicken salad with diced chicken, green onions, chopped pecans, and raisins, all served on a bed of fresh spinach leaves.
Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Meaty salads come in handy when dinner tables need a heartier plate. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad mixes sweet with crunch and makes for filling forkfuls next to classic sides. The leftovers always slip right into sandwiches the next day. Groups ask about this one every time it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Crunchy Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs.
Crunchy Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Salads get a boost when they’re all about the crunch. Crunchy Celery Salad stands out for bite, making plates look and feel light even at big meals. Biggest fans are always those who love fresh sides without a lot of extras. It keeps things simple and still gets stacks of compliments.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Fresh Quinoa Salad

Close-up of a quinoa salad with chickpeas, chopped cucumber, parsley, red onion, and a light dressing, with a spoon partially visible.
Fresh Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Whole grains make for a quick fix when greens alone won’t cut it. Fresh Quinoa Salad brings color and a hearty base to keep everyone satisfied. Plates stay neat and clean-up is always simple. Even those unsure about grains grab a serving and clear their plates.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Quinoa Salad

Colorful Antipasto Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.
Colorful Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bold salads can steal the spotlight from main dishes if built right. Colorful Antipasto Salad lines up meats, cheeses, and veggies into tidy rows, making a visual hit every time. Pick your favorites from the bowl or try a bit of everything with every forkful. No party feels quite finished without this guy.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Antipasto Salad

Fresh Green Salad

A close-up of a fresh green salad with mixed leafy greens, cucumber slices, and pecans on a plate with a gold fork.
Fresh Green Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Going back to basics often works best with a crowd. Fresh Green Salad covers all the bases with crisp leaves that look fresh and work with pretty much any topping. The bowl empties faster than expected every single holiday. It matches well with every course or just as a side on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green Salad

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Close-up of a delightful broccoli salad with crispy bacon, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing. Mixed ingredients are visible in detail, showcasing the vibrant textures and colors of this fresh broccoli salad.
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Even picky eaters change their minds when this gets passed around. Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing delivers both crunch and a smooth finish in every bite, and pairs well with every main. It’s loud, bright, and always gets some love from every guest. People even pack up the leftovers for home.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Patriotic Red White and Blue Vegan Salad

A salad with spinach leaves, watermelon cubes, blueberries, raspberries, and crumbled feta cheese in a white bowl.
Patriotic Red White and Blue Vegan Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Holiday spreads get a color boost when red, white, and blue hit the bowl. Patriotic Red White and Blue Vegan Salad looks good in photos and even better in seconds. You don’t have to fuss about restrictions since everyone can dig in. It makes every meal pop with easy style and zero stress.
Get the Recipe: Patriotic Red White and Blue Vegan Salad

Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

A bowl of fresh red cabbage coleslaw garnished with herbs.
Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Group dinners feel incomplete without a bit of crunch and a bite of vinegar. Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw brings a fresh tang and bold color to every plate, pulling the meal together. It cuts through thick, rich dishes, making space for another helping. Bowls are scraped clean every single time.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Coleslaw

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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