Name: Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 large lettuce leaves (Romaine); 30 g baby rocket; 60 g dried cranberries; 60 g candied almonds; 30 g blue cheese; 1 apple, cut into cubes; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp lemon juice; Salt and pepper, to taste; 50 ml olive oil

There’s something about the crisp, sweet-tart combo of apples and cranberries that instantly screams festive joy. This Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe is a crunchy, refreshing side that brightens any holiday table with its colorful mix and delightful flavors you’ll want to make again and again.

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 Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This salad has become my go-to holiday side because it’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy all in one bowl—which is a tall order for a festive salad! Plus, it’s insanely quick to throw together, even on busy holiday prep days.

Perfect Holiday Flair: The dried cranberries and candied almonds add that seasonal sparkle both in taste and appearance.
Easy Prep: You can whip this up in about 15 minutes, making it stress-free amid all the cooking chaos.
Natural Sweetness and Tang: The fresh apple cubes and zesty dressing bring just the right brightness to balance the rich blue cheese.
Customizable Ingredients: You can easily swap in your favorite nuts or greens and it still shines.

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

Each ingredient plays a part in making this Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe a star. The combination of crisp greens, tangy fruit, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese creates a layered flavor experience that’s hard to resist—plus, the dressing ties it all together with a smooth, slightly sweet zing.

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

Romaine Lettuce: A sturdy green that holds up well and adds crunch without overpowering the salad.
Baby Rocket: Adds a subtle peppery bite that contrasts nicely with the sweet ingredients.
Dried Cranberries: The quintessential holiday fruit, offering chewy sweetness with tart notes.
Candied Almonds: These give the salad a caramelized crunch that feels special.
Blue Cheese: Its creamy, pungent flavor cuts through the sweetness and lifts the salad’s depth.
Apple: Fresh, juicy cubes add a crisp texture and natural sweetness—go for a firm variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
Dijon Mustard: Provides a subtle tang and helps the dressing emulsify smoothly.
Honey: Brings gentle sweetness that balances the acidity.
Red Wine Vinegar & Lemon Juice: The acidity brightens the dressing and complements the fruit flavors perfectly.
Olive Oil: For a luscious, smooth dressing base that melds all the flavors together.
Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning to highlight all the components.

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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

One of the things I love most about this holiday cranberry apple salad recipe is how easy it is to customize based on what you have or your preferences. You can add or swap ingredients without losing that festive spirit.

Variation: I’ve made it with walnuts instead of almonds when that’s what was on hand, and I love the extra earthiness walnuts bring to the flavor profile.
Greens Swap: Try baby spinach or mixed spring greens if you prefer a milder base than rocket pepperiness.
Cheese Options: Don’t love blue cheese? Crumbled feta or goat cheese works beautifully too.
For a Vegan Twist: Skip the cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey, plus add some toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.

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

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dressing

Start by mixing the Dijon mustard with honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then, while whisking vigorously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. This slow addition helps emulsify the dressing so it becomes smooth and lovely, not oily. Don’t rush this part—it makes a big difference in the salad’s overall texture and flavor balance.

Step 2: Prep Your Salad Base

Layer your 8 large Romaine lettuce leaves and toss them gently with the baby rocket. These greens form the fresh crunchy bed for all the toppings. Handling these gently helps keep the leaves crisp and prevents bruising.

Step 3: Combine Main Ingredients

Now, chop your apple into bite-sized cubes that won’t overpower a forkful but offer a juicy crunch. Reserve some cranberries and candied almonds separately to sprinkle on top later for that pretty final touch. Mix the rest with the greens along with the blue cheese and half the dressing—this ensures the flavors start marrying well across the salad.

Step 4: Final Assembly and Serve

Finish by adding the reserved cranberries and almonds over the top along with the remaining dressing. This layering keeps those bright accents visible and adds bursts of texture with every bite. Serve immediately for the crispiest freshness or chill briefly if making ahead.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that really help this salad shine. Let me share those to save you some trial and error—so your Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe turns out as crisp and vibrant as mine!

Emulsify Your Dressing Well: Don’t just dump all the oil in at once. Slowly whisking in the olive oil makes your dressing nice and smooth rather than greasy.
Reserve Some Crunchy Toppings: Always keep a handful of almonds and cranberries to sprinkle on the top last minute. It adds a festive look and preserves crunch.
Choose Crisp Apples: Firmer apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith don’t turn mushy quickly, so the salad stays crisp longer even if made a bit early.
Handle Greens Gently: Toss greens with dressing lightly to avoid bruising and sogginess—this keeps the salad fresh and appealing.

How to Serve Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe

cranberry apple salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with some extra glossy dried cranberries and candied almonds on top—not just for looks, but because those bursts of sweet crunch are irresistible with every forkful. Sometimes, I add a few fresh pomegranate seeds when in season to amp up the holiday colors and flavor pops.

Side Dishes

This salad is such a bright, crunchy contrast next to rich mains like roast turkey or glazed ham. I often serve it alongside buttery mashed potatoes or a sweet potato casserole—the crispness is a refreshing balance every time.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I layered the salad in a crystal bowl with whole lettuce leaves placed around the edges like petals, adding height with the nuts and cranberries sprinkled on top. It turned a simple salad into a showstopper centerpiece that got rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store best in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but I recommend keeping any dressings separate if you plan to save some. Toss the salad gently with fresh dressing before serving again for a crisp texture—greens can get a little wilted if left dressed too long.

Freezing

I don't usually freeze this salad because the fresh greens and apples lose their texture upon thawing. It’s definitely best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a day or two.

Reheating

No reheating needed here! This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If it’s come straight from the fridge, pull it out about 15 minutes before serving—it lets the flavors mellow and brings out the dressing’s richness without wilting the greens.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can chop the ingredients and prepare the dressing ahead, but I recommend tossing everything together just before serving to keep the greens crisp and the nuts crunchy.

What can I substitute for blue cheese in the salad?

If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, feta or goat cheese are wonderful alternatives. They add creaminess without overwhelming the other flavors.

How do I prevent the apples from browning?

Toss the apple cubes in a bit of lemon juice right after cutting. This simple trick keeps them bright and fresh-looking longer.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries are quite tart and firm, which might be a bit intense raw. If you want to use fresh, try lightly cooking them with a little sugar to mellow their sharpness.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe has earned a special spot in my holiday menus because it’s truly one of those dishes that feels light yet festive, simple yet elegant. I love sharing it with friends because it’s a refreshing counterpoint to heavier holiday fare and always gets compliments. I encourage you to give it a try this season—you might just find it becoming one of your holiday traditions, too!