There’s something about the crisp snap of apples combined with tart cranberries that instantly screams holiday cheer. This Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy—making it a star side dish at any festive gathering.

A white bowl filled with a fresh green salad made of large leafy greens as the bottom layer, topped with small cubes of pale yellow and light red apple pieces spread evenly across the salad. Scattered on top are brown roasted almonds and dark red dried cranberries, with small crumbles of blue cheese adding white with blue veins spots. In the background, a white plate with a wedge of blue cheese and two silver spoons can be seen on a white marbled surface along with a small jar of dressing. A white cloth with black stripes is partially visible at the bottom edge. 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 Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe quickly became a holiday favorite in my kitchen. There’s just something so satisfying about the way fresh greens mingle with sweet dried cranberries, crisp apple cubes, and the punch of blue cheese. Plus, the candied almonds add this irresistible crunch that keeps you coming back for more.

Perfect Holiday Balance: The mix of tart cranberries and sweet apples brightens the palate without being too heavy.
Crunch Factor: Candied almonds give a wonderful textural contrast that you’ll love in every bite.
Easy to Whip Up: No complicated steps, just fresh ingredients and a quick dressing you can throw together in minutes.
Customizable: You can swap in your favorite greens or cheese and still have an amazing salad.

The dish shows a white bowl filled with fresh green lettuce leaves as the base layer, topped with small red and white apple cubes scattered all over. On top of that is a layer of roasted brown almonds and dark red dried cranberries evenly spread. The final layer includes small chunks of blue cheese dotted across, creating a mix of green, red, brown, and creamy white colors with different textures. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth nearby and two silver spoons to the top right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe lies in the harmony of flavors and textures—each ingredient has a purpose. When shopping, look for fresh, crisp apples and quality dried cranberries to get that juicy sweetness and tart punch. I always go with Romaine for the crunch, but baby rocket adds a peppery twist that wakes up the whole salad.

Flat lay of fresh large Romaine lettuce leaves, a small pile of vibrant baby rocket leaves, a handful of plump dried cranberries, crunchy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese, neatly cubed fresh apple pieces, small white ceramic bowls holding smooth Dijon mustard, golden honey, deep red wine vinegar, bright lemon juice, coarse salt and black pepper, and a small white bowl filled with rich olive oil, 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

Lettuce leaves (Romaine): Provides a sturdy, crunchy base that holds up well against juicy apples and dressing.
Baby rocket: Adds a peppery, slightly bitter edge that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Dried cranberries: Tart and chewy, they bring that holiday-inspired flavor and lovely color contrast.
Candied almonds: Sweet crunch to add texture and festive flair—don’t skip them!
Blue cheese: Creamy and sharp, it cuts through sweetness and brings depth.
Apple (cubed): Crisp and juicy, the star fresh ingredient that brightens every bite.
Dijon mustard: Adds a gentle tang to the dressing for balance and flavor lift.
Honey: Natural sweetness to tie the dressing together.
Red wine vinegar: Provides acidity to make the dressing lively and vibrant.
Lemon juice: Freshens up the dressing with citrus brightness.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
Olive oil: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds richness.

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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 like to play around with this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe, depending on what I have in the fridge or how fancy I want to get with it. It’s so flexible—you can swap out the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese if sharpness isn’t your thing, or add toasted pecans instead of almonds for something a little different.

Variation: I once swapped the Romaine for baby spinach, and it brought a lovely softness to the texture while keeping all the flavors balanced.
Dietary tweak: For a vegan twist, leave out the blue cheese and add some roasted chickpeas for protein and crunch.
Seasonal switch: In winter, I add some pomegranate seeds for an extra holiday burst and color pop.

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

Step 1: Whisking Up the Dressing

Start by grabbing a small bowl and whisking the Dijon mustard together with honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The combination might look simple, but it’s the secret to a perfectly balanced dressing. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously—this emulsifies it all into a silky, tangy dressing that clings to every leaf and apple cube.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base

Lay out the Romaine leaves and baby rocket on a large platter or salad bowl. I always like to reserve a bit of the cranberries, almonds, and apple cubes to sprinkle on top at the end for a pretty presentation.

Step 3: Toss and Finish

Combine the lettuce and rocket with most of the cranberries, almonds, apple cubes, and crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle half the dressing over this mix, then toss gently but thoroughly so each bite is a flavor-packed delight. Now finish the salad by adding on the reserved ingredients and the rest of the dressing—you want those final pops of color and texture to shine.

Top Tip

I’ve found that the secret to nailing this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe consistently is all about timing and texture. Here’s what I always keep in mind:

Fresh is best: Use crisp apples and fresh greens—wilted leaves really bring the whole vibe down.
Don’t overdress: Start with half the dressing, then add more as needed. You want each bite lightly coated, not swimming.
Reserve toppings: Setting aside some cranberries, almonds, and apple cubes to sprinkle on top adds visual appeal and texture contrast.
Cut apples last minute: To avoid browning, cut the apples just before tossing with the dressing.

How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with a sprinkle of extra candied almonds and a few whole dried cranberries for color and crunch. Sometimes, I add a few fresh parsley leaves or a light dusting of cracked black pepper to brighten up the look and flavor even more.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted meats like turkey or ham, making it a perfect complement on Christmas tables. It also holds its own alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a savory stuffing, offering a refreshing contrast to richer sides.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I’ve served this salad in individual glass jars layered with the ingredients visible, which is a big hit at holiday parties. Alternatively, arranging it in a wreath shape on a large platter with pomegranate seeds dotted around turns it into a fun centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers to keep the leaves crisp. Toss everything again just before serving for maximum freshness.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh greens and apples, so I recommend enjoying it fresh. Luckily, it comes together quickly for making right before your meal.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat—its crisp texture and fresh ingredients really shine when served chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this salad vegan?

Absolutely! Just leave out the blue cheese and swap candied almonds for plain toasted nuts or seeds to keep the crunch without dairy.

What apples work best in this salad?

I recommend using crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—they hold their shape well and add a bright contrast to the sweet cranberries.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

You can prep and keep the dressing ready in advance, but I suggest assembling the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh and apples from browning. Store components separately.

What can I substitute for blue cheese?

Feta or goat cheese are great milder alternatives that still add creaminess and tang without the strong punch of blue cheese.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe has become my go-to for holiday dinners because it’s fresh, festive, and so easy to make. Every year, guests comment on how it’s a bright, flavorful break from heavier dishes. Give it a try—you might find it becoming your new holiday tradition, too!