Berry Christmas Salad
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
A vibrant, refreshing vegan salad perfect for the holidays. Featuring a sweet-and-tangy berry vinaigrette tossed with crisp romaine, mandarins, and crunchy pecans.
The festive side that steals the show from the roast. Crisp greens meet sweet mandarins and toasted pecans, all tied together with a berry vinaigrette so vibrant it practically glows on the Christmas table.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1 cup mixed berries (fresh or thawed)
- 🫗 2 tbsp strawberry jam
- 🫗 1 tbsp olive oil
- 🫗 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 🫗 Pinch of salt
- 🫗 Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 🫗 Mandarin segments
- 🫗 Cucumber, sliced or diced
- 🫗 Dried cranberries
- 🫗 Pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
- 🫗 *Optional:* Any other fruits or veggies of your choice
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Blend Vinaigrette:** In a blender or small food processor, combine the mixed berries, strawberry jam, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth. (If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a teaspoon of water).
**Prepare Salad:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine, mandarin segments, diced cucumber, and dried cranberries.
**Assemble:** Add the pecans to the salad.
**Dress:** Pour the berry vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat evenly.
🎥 Video Tutorial
Berry Christmas Salad
Video credit: embedded from YouTube. All rights belong to the original creator, who allows sharing on other websites.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Wet Greens: Ensure the romaine lettuce is thoroughly dried after washing. Excess water will dilute the delicate berry vinaigrette, causing it to lose its vibrant color and flavor.
- ✕
Over-dressing: Start with half of the dressing and add more as needed. You want the leaves coated, not swimming in vinaigrette.
🔄 Variations
Add Protein: Toss in some chickpeas or cubed firm tofu to turn this from a side dish into a hearty main course.
Herb Infusion: Fresh mint or basil leaves added to the salad mix can add a lovely, bright aromatic note.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Store the vinaigrette in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad components separate if you aren't eating it all at once to maintain freshness.
💡 Chef Tips
Toasting Pecans: Toast the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. This adds a beautiful depth of flavor that contrasts perfectly with the sweet berries.
Dressing Ahead: The vinaigrette can be made 1–2 days in advance, but it is best to toss the salad right before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
🔗 Related Recipes
About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →