When it comes to holiday recipes, salads are not often the star of the show. With all the rich and indulgent dishes on the menu this time of year, how could the humble leafy green compete? The answer: The Holiday Salad. Packed with seasonal goodies like mandarin oranges and pomegranate seeds, it feels fresh, but still oh so flavorful. A simple white wine vinaigrette brings it all together for a salad that truly rounds out your holiday dinner plate.

While you could use a store bought dressing in a pinch, I think the homemade route is absolutely worth the few minutes of effort. It starts with a base of white wine vinegar and olive oil, and is then seasoned with honey, dijon mustard, a little garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The acidity of the vinegar is balanced perfectly with the honey for a bold and delicious final result.

To keep the greens nice and crunchy, hold off on dressing your salad until right before it’s served. I also prefer to add the feta cheese at this time so it stays fresh and adds a pop of contrast. Give everything a good mix and then dig in! If there ever was a salad to hold its own on the holiday menu… this is the one!