Festive Red, Green, and White Christmas Salad Recipe

Crafting a festive christmas salad with red, green, and white ingredients sparks joy during holiday gatherings.

Colorful produce creates a vibrant plate that catches everyone’s attention.

Crisp vegetables and bright fruits combine in a delightful mix.

Fresh flavors dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

Seasonal ingredients shine in this simple yet elegant dish.

Minimal preparation brings maximum celebration to your table.

You’ll love how quickly this salad comes together, making it perfect for busy holiday moments.

Why Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad Is A Holiday Favorite

• Celebrate Festive Colors: Burst with vibrant red, green, and white hues that instantly bring holiday cheer to your table.
• Master Quick Cooking Technique: Learn professional blanching method to perfectly cook vegetables while maintaining crisp texture and bright colors.
• Create Gourmet Side Dish: Elevate your meal with a sophisticated salad that looks like a culinary masterpiece but requires minimal cooking skills.
• Impress Holiday Guests: Prepare a stunning dish that looks professionally crafted yet takes just minutes to assemble, making you seem like a kitchen genius.

What You’ll Need For Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad

• Asparagus: Fresh green vegetable with tender tips and hearty stems.
• Green Beans: Crisp and slender green pods with a mild, earthy flavor.
• Snow Peas: Delicate, flat green pods with a sweet and crunchy texture.

• Olive Oil: Smooth and rich base for creating a light, flavorful vinaigrette.
• White Wine Vinegar: Tangy liquid that adds brightness and acidity to the dressing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.

• Feta Cheese, Dried Cranberries: Creamy, salty cheese and sweet, tart berries that provide contrasting flavors and textures to the salad.

How To Put Together Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Prepare Asparagus

Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and cut the stalks into thirds.

Separate the asparagus heads from the stems.

Step 3: Trim Green Vegetables

Carefully trim the green beans and snow peas, removing any tough ends or blemishes.

Step 4: Blanch Green Beans

Carefully drop the green beans into the boiling water. Wait for the water to return to a simmer and cook for 30 seconds.

Step 5: Add Additional Vegetables

Add the asparagus stems to the pot and cook for 30 seconds. Then introduce the snow peas and asparagus heads, cooking for another 30 seconds.

Step 6: Cool Vegetables

Quickly drain the vegetables in a colander and rinse with cold water for 10 seconds to halt the cooking process. Spread the vegetables on a clean kitchen towel to dry completely.

Step 7: Create Dressing

In a sealed jar, combine all dressing ingredients and shake vigorously until well mixed.

Step 8: Dress and Arrange Salad

Gently toss the cooled vegetables with the prepared dressing, ensuring even coating.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Transfer the dressed vegetables to a serving bowl. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top and scatter dried cranberries.

Serve immediately while the vegetables are still crisp and flavorful.

Tips To Make Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad Pop

• Blanch vegetables briefly to maintain their vibrant colors and crisp texture, ensuring they don't become mushy or lose their nutritional value.
• Use ice water immediately after boiling to halt the cooking process, preserving the vegetables' bright green hue and preventing overcooking.
• Select fresh, high-quality asparagus and green beans for the best flavor and presentation in this festive Christmas salad.
• Shake the dressing ingredients vigorously in a sealed jar to create a well-emulsified, evenly distributed dressing that coats the vegetables perfectly.
• Serve the salad immediately after dressing to enjoy the optimal temperature and prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy or losing their crispness.

Fresh Takes On Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad

• Festive Mediterranean Mix: Replace feta with crumbled goat cheese and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired holiday version.
• Nutty Holiday Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the salad for extra texture and winter warmth.
• Citrus Holiday Burst: Incorporate orange zest into the dressing and add mandarin orange segments for bright, tangy notes.
• Protein Power Plate: Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp to transform it into a complete holiday meal option.

What Pairs Nicely With Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad

• Pair Festive Freshness with Crisp White Wine: A zesty Sauvignon Blanc complements the bright, crisp vegetables and tangy feta, cutting through the salad's light flavors with its refreshing acidity.
• Elevate with Sparkling Elegance: Prosecco or champagne adds celebratory bubbles that dance alongside the green beans and asparagus, creating a festive holiday dining experience.
• Serve with Herbed Crostini: Toasted baguette slices spread with garlic herb butter provide a crunchy contrast to the tender vegetables, adding textural interest and a complementary flavor profile.
• Match with Grilled Protein: A light herb-crusted chicken or pan-seared white fish perfectly balances the salad's delicate vegetable medley, creating a complete and satisfying meal.

Storing Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad The Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent vegetables from becoming soggy.
• Freeze: Not recommended due to the delicate texture of asparagus and green beans. Freezing will make vegetables mushy and lose their crisp texture.
• Reheating Cold: Enjoy straight from the refrigerator as a chilled salad. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill.
• Quick Refresh: Gently toss with fresh dressing before serving to revive flavors and restore moisture to the vegetables.

Red, Green, And White Christmas Salad Questions Answered

• How do I know when the vegetables are perfectly cooked?

Look for a bright green color and a crisp-tender texture. They should be slightly tender but still have a slight crunch when you bite into them.

• Can I prepare the vegetables in advance?

Yes, blanch the vegetables and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding the dressing. This helps maintain their fresh color and crisp texture.

• What if I can't find fresh snow peas?

You can substitute with sugar snap peas or additional green beans. The key is to use fresh, seasonal green vegetables that provide a similar crisp texture.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! The recipe is packed with nutrients from fresh vegetables, provides a good source of vitamins, and uses a light dressing that doesn’t overpower the natural flavors of the vegetables.

Red, Green, and White Christmas Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Christmas color palettes dance deliciously in this festive Mexican-inspired red, green, and white salad. Crisp ingredients blend seamlessly, bringing holiday spirit directly to your table with refreshing flavors that celebrate seasonal joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 2 bunches asparagus
• 10 ounces (300 grams) green beans
• 5 ounces (150 grams) snow peas

Cheese and Dried Fruit:

• 4 ounces (120 grams) feta, crumbled
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Carefully trim the woody base of asparagus and slice into three equal segments, separating the delicate heads from the thicker stems.
3. Neatly remove the ends of green beans and snow peas, ensuring clean, precise cuts.
4. Carefully lower green beans into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds until they become bright green and slightly tender.
5. Add asparagus stems to the water and continue cooking for another 30 seconds, maintaining a consistent simmer.
6. Introduce snow peas and asparagus heads into the pot, cooking for a final 30 seconds to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
7. Quickly drain the vegetables and immediately shock them under cold running water for 10 seconds to halt the cooking process and lock in their fresh appearance.
8. Spread vegetables on a clean kitchen towel and allow them to air dry completely.
9. Create the dressing by combining ingredients in a sealed jar, shaking vigorously to ensure thorough integration of flavors.
10. Gently coat the cooled vegetables with the prepared dressing, ensuring even distribution.
11. Transfer the dressed vegetables to a serving dish, artfully sprinkling crumbled feta and dried cranberries across the top.
12. Serve the salad immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Blanching vegetables quickly maintains their vibrant colors and crisp texture, perfect for holiday presentations.
• Shock vegetables in ice water immediately after boiling to preserve their bright green hue and prevent overcooking.
• Customize the salad by swapping feta with goat cheese or using pomegranate seeds for extra festive flair.
• Prepare vegetables and dressing ahead of time, combining just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and prevent wilting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 15mg