Chopped Christmas Tree Salad

Featured in: Snack Time Heroes

This festive salad combines finely chopped kale, spinach, broccoli, and cucumber to create a fresh, crunchy base. Bright pomegranate seeds add bursts of sweetness, while crumbled feta provides creamy tang. Toasted pecans or walnuts contribute a satisfying crunch. A zesty dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey ties all elements together, resulting in a colorful, nourishing dish that's easy to assemble and delightful to serve during holiday gatherings.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:47:00 GMT
Vibrant Christmas Tree Salad with ruby pomegranate, creamy feta, and crunchy pecans, beautifully arranged. Save
Vibrant Christmas Tree Salad with ruby pomegranate, creamy feta, and crunchy pecans, beautifully arranged. | williesnack.com

A festive, vibrant salad featuring chopped green vegetables, bright pomegranate seeds, creamy feta, and crunchy nuts—perfect for holiday gatherings.

This salad adds a fresh and healthy twist to our Christmas table every year. Its texture and flavors never fail to impress guests.

Ingredients

  • Greens: 2 cups kale leaves, finely chopped (stems removed), 1 cup baby spinach, chopped, 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped, 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • Vegetables & Fruit: 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • Cheese & Nuts: 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled, 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
  • Dressing: 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey or maple syrup, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large mixing bowl, combine kale, spinach, broccoli, and cucumber.
Step 2:
Massage the kale gently with a drizzle of olive oil for 1–2 minutes to soften.
Step 3:
Add red bell pepper, pomegranate seeds, and red onion to the greens and toss gently.
Step 4:
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
Step 5:
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Step 6:
Top with crumbled feta and toasted pecans or walnuts.
Step 7:
Transfer to a serving platter. For a festive touch, shape the salad into a Christmas tree and decorate with extra pomegranate seeds and feta.
Freshly tossed Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, a colorful vegetarian dish ready for holiday meals. Save
Freshly tossed Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, a colorful vegetarian dish ready for holiday meals. | williesnack.com

My family looks forward to this salad every holiday season; it’s always a highlight at our gatherings.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, small bowl for dressing, whisk, chopping board and knife, salad tongs

Nutritional Information

Approximately 210 calories per serving, including 15 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (pecans/walnuts). Omit nuts and double-check cheese for allergy considerations.

A festive Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, showcasing vivid greens and festive toppings, ready to serve. Save
A festive Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, showcasing vivid greens and festive toppings, ready to serve. | williesnack.com

Serve this salad chilled for the freshest taste and most vibrant flavors.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What greens are best for this salad?

Finely chopped kale, baby spinach, and broccoli florets provide a fresh and crunchy base.

Can I substitute nuts in this dish?

Yes, you can replace pecans or walnuts with pumpkin seeds for a nut-free alternative.

How is the dressing prepared?

The dressing combines olive oil, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and seasoning, whisked until emulsified.

How can I make this dish vegan?

Omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative to keep the dish vegan-friendly.

What is a good pairing for this salad?

This salad pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.

Chopped Christmas Tree Salad

Vibrant greens, pomegranate, creamy feta, and nuts tossed in a zesty dressing for festive meals.

Prep time
20 min
0
Total duration
20 min
Created by Willie Cooper


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Modern American

Total yield 6 Number of servings

Dietary notes Vegetarian-friendly, No gluten

What You'll Need

Greens

01 2 cups kale leaves, finely chopped, stems removed
02 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
03 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
04 1 cup cucumber, diced

Vegetables & Fruit

01 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
02 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
03 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Cheese & Nuts

01 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
02 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

Dressing

01 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
02 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
03 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
04 1 tsp Dijon mustard
05 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
06 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to make it

Step 01

Combine Greens: In a large mixing bowl, combine kale, spinach, broccoli, and cucumber.

Step 02

Massage Kale: Massage kale gently with a drizzle of olive oil for 1 to 2 minutes to soften.

Step 03

Add Vegetables and Fruit: Add red bell pepper, pomegranate seeds, and red onion to the greens and toss gently.

Step 04

Prepare Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.

Step 05

Dress Salad: Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly.

Step 06

Add Cheese and Nuts: Top salad with crumbled feta and toasted pecans or walnuts.

Step 07

Serve: Transfer salad to a serving platter. Optionally, shape into a Christmas tree and garnish with extra pomegranate seeds and feta for a festive presentation.

Tools you'll need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl for dressing
  • Whisk
  • Chopping board and knife
  • Salad tongs

Allergy details

Review ingredients for potential allergens and ask a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (pecans or walnuts). Omit nuts for nut allergies and verify cheese for dairy sensitivities.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional info is for reference only. For health questions, check with a medical professional.
  • Energy: 210
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 6 g