There’s something really refreshing about the blend of crisp apples and tangy cranberries in this festive salad. The Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe brings that perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a standout side that brightens up holiday meals.

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three main layers: the base layer is bright green leafy lettuce, the middle layer has light cream and red small chopped apple pieces, and the top layer is sprinkled with roasted brown almonds, dark red dried cranberries, and small chunks of pale blue cheese with dark veins. In the background, there is a small white plate with a piece of blue cheese, a silver spoon, and a glass jar with golden dressing on a white marbled surface. A white cloth with thin black stripes is placed near the bowl. 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

I fell in love with this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe the first time I made it years ago—it's one of those dishes that instantly feels festive yet light, which is perfect amid heavier holiday fare.

Bright, Crisp Flavors: The combination of tart cranberries and sweet apples creates an irresistible zing in every bite.
Textural Contrast: Crunchy candied almonds and creamy blue cheese add wonderful layers of texture that keep things interesting.
Simple Yet Elegant: It looks beautiful on any holiday table without needing tons of complicated prep.
Versatile Dressing: The honey-mustard vinaigrette brings everything together with a gentle sweet-tart zing that’s easy to tweak to your taste.

A fresh salad served in a white bowl placed on a white marbled surface shows bright green leafy lettuce as the first layer. On top, there are small cubes of red and yellow apples spread evenly, mixed with dark red dried cranberries. Whole roasted almonds add a crunchy texture and a warm brown color, scattered among the other ingredients. Small bits of blue cheese with its white and dark blue veins sit atop the salad, giving a creamy look. The mix of colors and textures makes the salad look fresh and tasty, with a silver spoon visible near the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Everything in this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe has a reason for being there, combining fresh, dried, and tangy elements for an exciting flavor profile. When shopping, look for crisp apples and quality blue cheese to really boost the taste.

Flat lay of eight large fresh Romaine lettuce leaves, a handful of vibrant green baby rocket leaves, a small mound of deep red dried cranberries, a neat pile of glossy candied almonds, a wedge of creamy blue cheese with visible veins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with cubed fresh apple, a small white bowl containing smooth golden honey, another small white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of clear red wine vinegar, a small white bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl filled with rich green olive oil, and two whole uncracked brown eggs, arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate, placed 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): They provide a sturdy, crunchy bed that holds up well to the dressing without wilting.
Baby rocket: Adds a peppery bite that balances the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
Dried cranberries: Offer a tart, chewy contrast that’s quintessentially festive.
Candied almonds: Bring a sweet crunch that's a delight with every forkful.
Blue cheese: Adds a creamy, tangy depth that complements the fruit beautifully.
Apple cubes: Fresh and juicy, these are the star of the salad and make it feel seasonal.
Dijon mustard: For a subtle kick in the dressing that layers flavor without overpowering.
Honey: Sweetens the dressing naturally, balancing the tart vinegar and lemon.
Red wine vinegar: Gives fruity acidity that brightens up the whole salad.
Lemon juice: Adds fresh citrus notes and keeps the apples from browning.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to bring all the flavors forward.
Olive oil: Creates a smooth emulsion for 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 love changing up this recipe depending on what I have on hand or who I’m serving it to. You can easily adapt it to be a little more indulgent or a bit lighter.

Variation: Once, I swapped the blue cheese for feta when hosting someone who isn’t a big fan of strong cheese. It was a hit—still creamy but a little milder!
Make it vegan: Try omitting the blue cheese and swapping honey for maple syrup in the dressing to keep it plant-based.
Nut-free option: If you’re serving guests with allergies, toasted pumpkin seeds add that satisfying crunch without nuts.
Seasonal twists: Sometimes I add pomegranate seeds in December for a jewel-like garnish that adds festive color and extra juiciness.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Dressing

I start by mixing the Dijon mustard with honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisking well is key here. Then, while whisking constantly, drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify it—this makes the dressing nice and smooth so it clings beautifully to the salad.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients

Next, I roughly tear the Romaine lettuce leaves and toss them with the baby rocket in a large salad bowl. Then add in the dried cranberries, candied almonds, blue cheese crumbles, and the cubed apple. Don’t forget to reserve a small handful of cranberries and almonds for garnishing later—that touch makes the presentation pop.

Step 3: Dress and Toss

I pour about half the dressing over the salad first and toss gently to coat everything but be careful not to bruise the leaves. Using half the dressing to start prevents a soggy salad. Right before serving, add the reserved cranberries and almonds, then drizzle the remaining dressing for that fresh, just-dressed look and flavor.

Top Tip

From my experience, balancing the dressing and timing your toss makes a huge difference in how fresh and vibrant your salad feels on the plate.

Whisk Slowly for Emulsion: Drizzling olive oil gently while whisking keeps the dressing from separating, ensuring a luscious coating.
Toss in Stages: Mixing half the dressing first prevents sogginess, while adding the rest at the end refreshes flavors right before serving.
Reserve Garnishes: Holding back a few cranberries and almonds for decoration adds a professional touch that's easy to do.
Choose Crisp Apples: Picking a firm apple variety like Granny Smith or Fuji makes a big difference in crunch and prevents the fruit from going mushy.

How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Christmas Cranberry Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top the salad with a sprinkle of candied almonds and a few extra dried cranberries. Sometimes a tiny handful of microgreens adds a precious little burst of green that makes the salad pop on the holiday table.

Side Dishes

This salad is a fantastic foil for rich mains like roast turkey or glazed ham. I especially enjoy it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery dinner rolls—it cuts through the richness beautifully and keeps the meal feeling fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I served this salad layered in individual glass jars for a holiday brunch buffet. It made for a stunning presentation and kept everything crisp and separated until guests were ready to dig in. You could also arrange the leaves as a base on a festive platter and mound the apple and cranberries colorful on top for a casual, rustic vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. Once tossed with the dressing, the salad is best eaten within a day to keep the leaves crisp.

Freezing

This salad isn’t suitable for freezing because the fresh ingredients and dressing won’t hold up well. It’s best fresh, especially with the apples and greens.

Reheating

No reheating needed here — I find that serving this salad chilled or at room temperature really brings out the fresh, bright flavors. Just toss gently before plating to redistribute the dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to avoid soggy leaves, and toss everything together just before plating.

What kind of apples work best in this salad?

Firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp are best because they hold their shape and add a nice crunch to the salad.

Can I substitute the blue cheese?

Yes! If blue cheese isn’t your thing, feta or goat cheese are great substitutes that still add creaminess and tang.

Is this salad suitable for vegans?

You can make it vegan by skipping the blue cheese and using maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think the holidays would feel quite the same without this Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe making an appearance. It’s one of those dishes that feels both nostalgic and fresh, simple yet special. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do—this salad always brings a little extra joy and color to the table. Give it a go the next time you want to bring something light, crisp, and festive that everyone will ask for seconds of!