I host Nochebuena dinner at my home most years, and I put a lot of thought into what we’ll serve as the main dish, the side dishes, and even the desserts, but I have to admit that for the most part I ignore salad options. If someone asks me what they can bring, I usually tell them that if they really want to, they can bring a salad. Not this year, though. This year I’m going to make at least one of the Christmas salad recipes I’m sharing here.
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To be honest, I never gave salads much thought when it comes to Christmas because for me they aren’t the stars of the meal and just take up valuable tummy space. But I stand corrected! There are many stellar Christmas salads to be had, and some can almost double as a veggie dish as well because they include roasted carrots or beets. Also, there are guests who truly appreciate being able to nosh on greens or seasonal produce, and why deprive them? Any one of the following salads will be a welcome addition to your Nochebuena dinner.
This radicchio salad is perfect for the holidays.
To make it you’ll need:
• Olive oil
• Water
• Red pepper flakes
• Thyme
• Salt
• Carrots
• Red onions
• Garlic
• Orange juice
• Sherry vinegar
• Honey
• Radicchio
• Oranges
• Parsley
• Almonds
Do fun take on a California roll with this noodle salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Mayonnaise
• Seasoned rice vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Sriracha
• Imitation crabmeat, chopped
• Sliced green onions
• Wasabi paste
• Prepared mayo dressing base
• Dried rice noodles
• Avocado
• English cucumber
• Furikake (Japanese nori seasoning)
• Sliced green onions
Fans of rabanitos will love this radish cucumber salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Radishes
• Onions
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Green onions
• Green chilis
• White wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper
It does not get easier than a wedge salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Iceberg lettuce
• Crispy bacon
• Blue cheese dressing
You could even leave out the bacon to make it easier.
This roasted beet and carrot salad with watercress is sensational.
To make it you’ll need:
• Beets
• Carrots
• Watercress
• Shallots
• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Honey
• Sugar
• Salt
This arugula Parmesan salad packs so much flavor with so little effort on your part.
To make it you’ll need:
• Baby arugula
• Shaved Parmesan
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon zest
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• White wine vinegar
• Sugar
• Garlic
An arugula, avocado, and tomato salad that is sure to become a favorite.
To make it you'll need:
• Baby arugula
• Grape tomatoes
• Italian extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon
• White wine vinegar
• Ripe avocados
• Red onion
• Shallots
• Dijon mustard
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
Make an escarole salad with pears and blue cheese that you serve on a cutting board.
To make it you’ll need:
• White wine or white balsamic vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Lemon
• Oregano
• Escarole
• Romaine lettuce
• Fennel
• Red onion
• Pears
• Blue cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Thyme
A romaine, radicchio, apple, and walnuts make the perfect winter salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Romaine lettuce
• Radicchio
• Walnuts
• Peeled and diced apple
• Dried cranberries
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
Make a vegan version of a Caesar salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Romaine lettuce
• Gluten-free bread
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt and pepper
• Pine nuts
• Nutritional yeast
• Vegan mayo
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Water
• Lemon juice
Make a winter citrus salad that is as beautiful as it is tasty.
To make it you’ll need:
• Grapefruit
• Blood oranges
• Mandarins
• Fresh mint
• Pomegranate seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Honey
Caprese salad tends to be a crowd pleaser.
To make it you’ll need:
• Ripe tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Balsamic glaze or vinegar
Swap tomatoes for roasted beets in this caprese salad.
To make it you’ll need:
• Beetroot
• Balls of mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil
• Parsley
• Mint
• Garlic
• Walnuts
• Lemon
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
A shaved Brussels sprout salad that no one can resist.
To make it you’ll need:
• Brussels sprouts
• Apples
• Walnuts
• Dried cranberries
• Pomegranate seeds
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Maple syrup
• Grapeseed oil
Add fried goat cheese to a simple salad kit to take it to the next level.
Buy whatever kind of salad mix you like at the store, toss it, and serve it topped with fried goat cheese.
To make the fried goat cheese, you’ll need:
• Goat cheese log
• Flour
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Coarse sea salt
• Ground black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Egg
• Water
• Unsalted butter
• Olive oil
