Chopped Christmas Tree Salad

Featured in: Everyday Treats

This festive salad combines finely chopped kale, spinach, broccoli, and cucumber with bright pomegranate seeds, creamy feta, and crunchy nuts. Massaging the kale softens its texture, while a tangy dressing of olive oil, lemon, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey melds the flavors. Topped with toasted pecans or walnuts, the salad is arranged into a Christmas tree shape, perfect for holiday tables. It’s quick to make, vegetarian, gluten-free, and customizable with vegan cheese or nut substitutes.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:23:00 GMT
Vibrant Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, a refreshing vegetarian dish with ruby pomegranate and creamy feta. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, a refreshing vegetarian dish with ruby pomegranate and creamy feta. | flourhollow.com

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

This salad quickly became a family favorite at our Christmas dinners.

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, ready to serve, showcases festive, colorful ingredients for the holidays. Save to Pinterest
Freshly tossed Chopped Christmas Tree Salad, ready to serve, showcases festive, colorful ingredients for the holidays. | flourhollow.com

This salad always brings smiles and compliments from family and guests alike.

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (pecans or walnuts). Omit nuts for nut allergies and double-check cheese for dairy allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories 210, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 15 g, Protein 6 g per serving

A beautifully arranged, delicious Chopped Christmas Tree Salad with crunchy nuts and zesty dressing is pictured. Save to Pinterest
A beautifully arranged, delicious Chopped Christmas Tree Salad with crunchy nuts and zesty dressing is pictured. | flourhollow.com

This salad is an easy festive addition that never disappoints.

Recipe FAQs

What vegetables are used in the salad?

Kale, baby spinach, broccoli florets, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion are combined for a fresh, crunchy base.

How is the kale prepared for the salad?

The kale is finely chopped and gently massaged with olive oil to soften its texture before mixing with other ingredients.

What ingredients create the dressing?

The dressing is made by whisking olive oil, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper.

Are there options for those with dietary restrictions?

For a vegan version, omit or replace feta with vegan cheese; substitute nuts with pumpkin seeds for nut-free preferences.

How is the salad presented festively?

The salad is shaped into a Christmas tree on a serving platter and decorated with extra pomegranate seeds and feta for a holiday touch.

Chopped Christmas Tree Salad

A colorful mix of greens, pomegranate seeds, feta, and nuts with a zesty dressing, festive and fresh.

Prep Duration
20 mins
Cook Duration
1 mins
Overall Time
21 mins
Created by Megan Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Modern American

Serves 6 Servings Count

Dietary Details Meat-Free, Free of Gluten

Ingredient List

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

Dressing

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

Steps

Step 01

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

Step 02

Massage kale: Gently massage the kale 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 the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

Step 06

Add toppings: Top the salad with crumbled feta and toasted pecans or walnuts.

Step 07

Serve festively: Transfer to a serving platter; shape into a Christmas tree and decorate with extra pomegranate seeds and feta for a festive presentation.

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient to spot potential allergens. Always confirm with your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (pecans or walnuts).

Nutrition Breakdown (per serving)

Nutrition details are for reference and can't substitute for professional advice.
  • Caloric Value: 210
  • Fat content: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Protein Amount: 6 g