Holiday Herb Wreath Salad
A festive salad featuring seasonal greens and cranberries arranged in a wreath shape, inspired by City Floral's holiday wreath offerings. This american-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs loosely packed mixed spring greens, fresh cranberries, toasted walnuts into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups, loosely packed mixed spring greens
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup, toasted walnuts
- 2 tbsp, thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed spring greens, 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 2 tbsp thinly sliced red onion, and 1/4 cup toasted walnuts.
- Step 3: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Let the salad rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Step 4: Arrange the salad on a large platter in a circular wreath shape, pressing the ingredients gently to form a compact ring. Serve immediately for optimal freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Holiday Herb Wreath Salad take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Holiday Herb Wreath Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh cranberries from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Holiday Herb Wreath Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Holiday Herb Wreath Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Holiday Herb Wreath Salad?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
