Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad: Crowd-Pleasing Recipe
This Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad is seriously the best thing ever for the holidays. I’m totally obsessed with how the tangy cranberries mix with those sweet, crunchy apples. It’s like magic in a bowl!
The bright red and green colors look so pretty on your table. Everyone always asks me for the recipe. Trust me, it’s super easy to make but looks fancy.
My family goes crazy for this Christmas salad every single year. It disappears so fast at parties. Want to know the best part? You don’t even need to cook anything!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Okay, so this salad is basically fresh fruit mixed with creamy goodness and some crunchy stuff. Pretty simple, right? Just check out the recipe card down below for all the exact amounts you’ll need.
- Fresh Cranberries: These little red gems give you that tangy pop of flavor. Plus, they’re so festive and beautiful!
- Crisp Apples: Go for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They stay nice and crunchy and taste amazing with the cranberries.
- Celery: Adds that perfect crunch. It balances out all the sweet stuff really well. You’ll love it!
- Pecans: When you toast these, they get all buttery and delicious. They make everything taste richer and fancier.
- Whipped Topping: This is what makes the salad creamy and light. It holds everything together without being too heavy.
- Mini Marshmallows: Kids go wild for these! They add little pockets of sweetness that everyone enjoys. So fun!
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad
Ready to make this? It’s honestly so easy. No cooking involved, just some simple mixing. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries
Chop 2 cups of fresh cranberries until they’re nice and small. You can use a food processor or just chop by hand. This makes them way easier to eat.
Step 2: Dice the Apples
Dice 3 medium apples into little cubes. Keep the peel on for extra color! Then toss them with 1 tablespoon lemon juice so they don’t turn brown.
Step 3: Chop the Celery
Slice 2 celery stalks into small pieces. Try to keep them the same size. The celery adds such a nice fresh crunch to everything.
Step 4: Toast the Pecans
Toast 1 cup pecans in a pan for 3-4 minutes. No oil needed! They’ll smell amazing when they’re ready. Let them cool down before you add them.
Step 5: Combine All Ingredients
Mix cranberries, apples, celery, and pecans in your big bowl. Add 2 cups mini marshmallows, too. Stir it all together gently. Don’t squish the fruit!
Step 6: Add the Dressing
Fold in 8 ounces whipped topping nice and easy. Mix until everything’s coated. The salad should look fluffy and creamy. Can you imagine how good this tastes?
Step 7: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate for 2 hours minimum before you serve it. This lets all the flavors come together. The cranberries get a bit softer. It’s PERFECT after chilling!
Tips for the Best Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad
- Use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones. They taste way better and look prettier too!
- Keep apples crisp by using firm ones. Add them closer to serving time if possible.
- Toast pecans properly so they taste nutty and don’t get soggy in the salad later.
- Chill thoroughly before serving. This really makes the flavors pop and taste amazing together.
- Fold gently when you mix. You don’t want to mash everything into mush, right?
Variations and Substitutions
Want to switch things up? No problem! This recipe is super flexible. You can change it to fit what you like or what you have.
- Dried Cranberries: Use these if you want it sweeter. Great for kids who don’t like tart stuff!
- Walnuts Instead: Don’t have pecans? Try walnuts or almonds. They work just as well and taste yummy.
- Greek Yogurt Base: Want it healthier? Mix Greek yogurt with honey instead of whipped topping. Still delicious!
- Add Pineapple: Throw in some crushed pineapple for tropical vibes. It makes everything extra sweet and juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yeah, totally! Make it up to 24 hours early and keep it in the fridge. Just wait to add the pecans until right before serving.
How should I store leftovers?
Put it in a container with a lid and stick it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3 days or so.
What should I serve with this salad?
This goes great with turkey, ham, or roast beef. Basically, any Christmas dinner main dish. It’s the perfect side for holiday meals!
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Sure thing! Just thaw them first and drain all the water. Pat them dry with paper towels so they don’t make everything watery.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yep, everything in here is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your whipped topping and marshmallow brands to be totally sure.
Can I reduce the sugar content?
Absolutely! Use sugar-free whipped topping and skip the marshmallows. Add more nuts and a little honey instead. What do you think?
What type of apples work best?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are all winners. Pick apples that are firm and crunchy. They won’t get mushy that way.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Just use coconut whipped cream instead. Look for dairy-free marshmallows at health food stores, too. Easy peasy!
Christmas Cranberry Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (finely chopped)
- 3 medium apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (diced)
- 2 celery stalks (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup pecans (toasted and chopped)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 8 ounces whipped topping Cool Whip
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Chop cranberries into small pieces using a food processor or a knife until they look like tiny bits of red goodness.
- Cut apples into small cubes and keep the peel on, then mix with lemon juice right away to stop browning.
- Slice celery into thin little pieces so every bite has the same nice crunch throughout your yummy salad.
- Toast pecans in a dry pan on medium heat for 4 minutes until they smell nutty, then let cool completely.
- Mix cranberries, apples, celery, pecans, and marshmallows in a big bowl and stir gently so nothing gets squished up.
- Add whipped topping and fold it in slowly until everything looks creamy and fluffy and totally coated throughout.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if using for extra color, then cover the bowl and put it in the fridge.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours minimum so all flavors blend together perfectly before serving and enjoy your festive salad.
Notes
- Fresh cranberries can swap with dried cranberries if you want a sweeter taste instead of tart, tangy flavor.
- Add pecans right before serving if making early, so they stay super crunchy and don’t get soft.
- Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 days max, though it tastes best when fresh.
- For a dairy-free swap, whipped topping with coconut cream, and grab dairy-free marshmallows at health stores for this.
- Make it sweeter by adding sugar to cranberries if they taste too tart for you or your family.
