Name: Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 7 cups mixed spring greens; 1 1/4 cups orange segments (mandarin, clementine, or tangerine); 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (or dried cranberries); 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 1/2 cup candied pecans, roughly chopped; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon minced shallot; Salt and pepper to taste

If you’re looking to add a burst of color and a pop of fresh flavor to your holiday table, this Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. I love how this salad turns classic winter ingredients into something bright, vibrant, and downright irresistible — plus, it comes together in just 10 minutes! Once you try it, you’ll be making it year after year for every festive gathering.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

So Quick and Easy: I’m talking about a 10-minute prep with no cooking required—perfect for busy holidays.
Bursting with Fresh Flavors: The combo of citrus, tart pomegranate, and tangy feta creates a refreshing balance.
Beautiful Presentation: This salad brightens up any table with its vibrant reds, greens, and orange hues.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dressing can be prepped days in advance, making your holiday stress-free.

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 Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate, holiday citrus salad, winter fruit salad, easy holiday salad, fresh citrus and pomegranate salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe lies in using fresh, quality ingredients that complement one another perfectly. If you can grab pre-washed greens and pre-seeded pomegranate seeds, you’ll slice your prep time even more.

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 Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate, holiday citrus salad, winter fruit salad, easy holiday salad, fresh citrus and pomegranate salad

Mixed spring greens: I usually pick a mix with tender leaves like baby spinach, arugula, and red leaf lettuce for a variety of textures and flavors.
Orange segments (mandarin, clementine, or tangerine): Freshly peeled and segmented oranges add juicy sweetness that’ll brighten every bite.
Pomegranate seeds (or dried cranberries): I love pomegranate for that juicy pop, but dried cranberries work in a pinch too.
Feta cheese: Crumbled feta from a block delivers the best tangy creaminess—skip the pre-crumbled for better texture.
Candied pecans: Roughly chopped for crunch and a bit of sweet nuttiness.
Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil to dress the salad lightly but with enough richness.
Honey: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the tanginess of the dressing.
Dijon mustard: It gives the dressing a subtle kick and helps emulsify the ingredients.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds a bright acidity, perfect for cutting through the richness of feta and pecans.
Minced shallot: For a subtle, sweet onion flavor that deepens the dressing.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the dressing to your taste.

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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.

Variations

I like to mix things up depending on what I have on hand or who I’m serving. This Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe is flexible, so make it work for your own style and dietary preferences!

Add protein: Once, I tossed in grilled chicken strips to make it more of a main dish, and it was a hit at our holiday lunch.
Swap nuts: Candied walnuts or sliced almonds are great alternatives if pecans aren’t your favorite.
Make it vegan: Skip the feta and either double up on the nuts or crumble a vegan cheese alternative for that creamy texture.
Seasonal twists: During winter, I sometimes add blood orange segments for a beautiful color and slightly different tang.

How to Make Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients

First things first: grab a large salad bowl and start washing your greens if they aren’t pre-washed. Peel and segment your citrus carefully—try to remove the membrane so only the juicy fruit remains. This little step makes such a difference in the salad’s texture and flavor. If you’re using pomegranate seeds from a fresh pomegranate, I recommend doing that over a bowl in the sink to catch any errant seeds or juice.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and minced shallot together until they form a smooth dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This dressing is where everything comes together; the balance between sweet, tangy, and savory flavors makes the salad sing.

Step 3: Combine and Toss

Add your greens, citrus segments, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta, and chopped candied pecans to the large bowl. Drizzle your dressing over everything and gently toss to coat the leaves without bruising them. I always recommend adding the dressing little by little—you can always add more, but you can’t take it back once everything’s drenched!

Step 4: Serve Immediately

This salad is freshest when served right away. The greens hold their crispness beautifully, and the flavors are brightest. If you let it sit too long, the citrus juice and dressing can make the greens a little limp, which I definitely try to avoid.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe

Use Fresh Citrus Segments: I learned that removing the citrus membranes prevents bitterness and keeps each bite juicy and tender.
Toast Your Nuts Lightly: Toasting the candied pecans for just 3-4 minutes enhances their flavor and crunch dramatically—try it!
Dress Just Before Serving: I always toss the greens with dressing at the last moment to keep them crisp and fresh.
Prep Dressing Ahead: Making the dressing up to three days ahead saves precious time on the day of your gathering.

How to Serve Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe

Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra crumbled feta and a handful of pomegranate seeds right before serving for that fresh, eye-catching finish. A few fresh mint leaves or a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can add an elegant touch that makes guests say “Wow!”

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or even a simple grilled salmon. For a vegetarian holiday meal, it stands nicely alongside stuffed mushrooms or savory bread pudding.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive dinners, I sometimes assemble this salad in individual glass bowls or stemmed dessert glasses—everyone loves the layers of colors and it feels extra special. Another fun idea is to serve the salad on a large platter with whole orange slices and pomegranate sprinkled last-minute for a wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container but keep the dressing separate if possible. The greens stay freshest this way, and you can toss everything together again before serving.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the fresh greens and citrus will lose their texture. I recommend enjoying it fresh for the best experience and saving leftovers for the next day.

Reheating

Since this salad is served cold and fresh, reheating isn’t recommended. However, if you want to enjoy the dressing later, you can use it as a vinaigrette for cooked veggies or grilled chicken.

FAQs

Can I use other greens besides mixed spring greens?

Absolutely! Spinach, baby kale, or even arugula on their own work well. Just keep in mind that some greens like kale are tougher, so you might want to massage them lightly with a bit of dressing before adding the rest.
Is there a substitute for feta cheese in the Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe?

If you don’t have feta or want a milder flavor, goat cheese crumbles or ricotta salata work beautifully. For a dairy-free option, use a nut-based cheese or simply omit it and add extra nuts for texture.
How far ahead can I prepare this salad?

You can prep the dressing up to three days in advance. I recommend adding the fruit, greens, and dressing together just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Can I use dried cranberries instead of pomegranate seeds?

Yes! Dried cranberries are a fine substitute and add a chewy sweetness, but fresh pomegranate seeds provide that juicy burst that really makes this salad special.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Citrus Salad with Feta and Pomegranate Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday staples because it’s so quick, refreshing, and visually stunning. I remember the first time I made it, my whole family went crazy for those juicy bursts of citrus and sweet crunch from candied pecans. You really can’t go wrong with this one—so I hope you give it a try and make it part of your celebrations too. Trust me, it’s one salad that gets people talking and coming back for seconds!