If you’re looking to brighten up your holiday table with something fresh, vibrant, and downright delicious, I have to share this Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe that quickly became my family’s favorite go-to. It’s colorful, bursting with flavor, and so simple you can whip it up in minutes — perfect for busy holiday prep or any time you want a salad that feels special without the fuss. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it every season!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright, Fresh Flavors: The juicy oranges and ruby pomegranate seeds bring a perfect pop that awakens your taste buds.
Easy and Quick: You can toss everything together in about 10 minutes — seriously, no cooking required.
Crowd-Pleaser: I love serving this at holiday dinners, and everyone always asks for seconds.
Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you want to add nuts, swap greens, or change up the dressing, this salad handles it all.

A clear glass bowl is filled with a colorful layered salad. The bottom layer is fresh green spinach and mixed greens with some purple leaves scattered in. On top, bright orange mandarin slices are placed evenly, along with deep red pomegranate seeds scattered around. There are also brown pecan halves spread throughout. Small white crumbles of cheese are sprinkled over the top, adding contrast. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with two whole mandarins blurred softly in the background. The image has a natural light setting, highlighting the fresh and vibrant colors of the salad. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad, holiday fruit salad, easy holiday salad, healthy winter salad, colorful fruit salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe lies in the balance of fresh, crisp greens, sweet citrus, and tart pomegranate seeds, all tied together by a simple yet tangy dressing. When shopping, look for the best quality fresh ingredients for maximum flavor impact.

Flat lay of a large simple white ceramic bowl filled with fresh mixed spring greens, a small pile of bright orange segments (mandarin or clementine), a small white ceramic bowl of ruby red pomegranate seeds, a small mound of crumbled white feta cheese, a small heap of roughly chopped candied pecans, alongside four small white ceramic bowls containing golden olive oil, amber honey, smooth yellow Dijon mustard, and clear apple cider vinegar, plus finely minced pale shallot placed delicately on the side, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 - Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad, holiday fruit salad, easy holiday salad, healthy winter salad, colorful fruit salad

Mixed spring greens: I love the variety and texture; you can use pre-washed bagged greens for convenience.
Orange segments: Mandarins, clementines, or tangerines work great — go fresh and juicy for the best taste.
Pomegranate seeds: Use fresh if you can, but dried cranberries are a nice backup if pomegranate isn’t available.
Feta cheese: Crumbled from a block offers better texture and flavor than pre-crumbled.
Candied pecans: Roughly chopped for a sweet crunch that contrasts beautifully with the salad’s freshness.
Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing’s base.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness balancing the tartness of the vinaigrette.
Dijon mustard: Creates a subtle depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
Apple cider vinegar: Gives that nice tangy kick, enhancing the salad’s festive flavors.
Minced shallot: Brings a mild onion note to the dressing — don’t skip this!
Salt and pepper: To taste, as always seasoning is key to bring everything together.

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.

Variations

I like to switch things up depending on the occasion or what I have on hand, and this Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe really welcomes personal touches. Don’t be afraid to experiment — you might discover your new favorite version!

Add Avocado: Creamy avocado chunks add richness and a silky texture that pairs wonderfully with the citrus and pomegranate.
Swap the Cheese: Try goat cheese if feta isn’t your thing — it lends a tangy creaminess that’s equally delightful.
Different Nuts: Use walnuts or almonds instead of pecans, or go nut-free with toasted seeds for a crunch.
Make it Vegan: Skip the cheese and honey, and swap honey for maple syrup in the dressing for a plant-based option.

How to Make Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Ingredients

Start by rinsing your spring greens if they aren’t pre-washed — this helps keep the salad crisp and fresh. Then, carefully peel and segment your oranges to remove any pith or membrane so you get the sweetest, juiciest bites. If using fresh pomegranate seeds, try tapping them out over a bowl to avoid mess, or use pre-packaged seeds to save time.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base

Place the mixed greens into a large salad bowl — this is your canvas. Scatter the orange segments and pomegranate seeds on top, followed by crumbled feta and the chopped candied pecans. Seeing this color combo come together always gets me excited to dig in!

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced shallot, salt, and pepper until smooth and slightly thickened. The honey and mustard help the dressing emulsify and cling to the salad beautifully — trust me, you want to get this right.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Drizzle your dressing over the salad to taste — start conservative and add more as needed. Gently toss everything together so every bite gets a bit of that zesty, sweet tang. Serve immediately for the best texture, as the greens can wilt if left sitting too long.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe

Segment Oranges Carefully: I learned to trim every bit of pith away for sweet, tender segments that don’t bring bitterness.
Candied Pecans for Crunch: These add a lovely sweetness and texture — don’t skip them, but if you must, toasted nuts work too!
Make Dressing Ahead: You can prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store it refrigerated; just whisk it again before serving.
Toss Gently: Avoid bruising the greens by tossing lightly; this keeps everything crisp and inviting.

How to Serve Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe

Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with a little extra sprinkle of crumbled feta or chopped fresh herbs like mint or parsley — it adds freshness and a pop of green that looks just beautiful on the plate.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey or chicken, making it a fresh counterpoint to heavier mains. I’ve also served it alongside grilled salmon or a warm grain bowl for a complete, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I sometimes serve this salad in individual glass cups or use edible orange bowls (hollowed oranges) for a festive touch that gets everyone chatting before they even take a bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving again to keep the greens from getting soggy.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad — the fresh greens and citrus don’t hold up well to freezing, and you’ll lose that crisp, fresh taste we all love here.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. Just give it a gentle toss with fresh dressing if leftovers seem a little dull from sitting.

FAQs

Can I use other greens instead of spring mix for this salad?

Absolutely! Baby spinach, arugula, or even kale work well. Just make sure to remove tough stems and adjust your dressing quantity since different greens have varying textures and flavors.
Can I prepare the salad in advance for a party?

It’s best to prep the ingredients and dressing ahead, but toss everything together just before serving to keep the leaves crisp and fresh.
What can I substitute if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar are great substitutes—they’ll still give your dressing that bright acidity needed to balance the sweetness.
Are there nut-free options for this salad?

You can skip the candied pecans or replace them with toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch without nuts.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Festive Orange Pomegranate Salad Recipe adds a fresh, colorful, and festive note to our holiday meals. It feels special without any stress, which is a win in my book! Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just brightening a weeknight, this salad hits all the right notes. Give it a try and watch it become one of your favorite holiday staples too.