Harvest Holiday Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and (of course) incredible food — but they can also leave us with overflowing fridges and half-filled containers of leftovers. That’s where this Harvest Holiday Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette comes in.

This salad transforms your leftover holiday ingredients into a fresh, nutrient-dense meal that feels brand new. It’s functional, flavorful, and full of color — everything you want when you’re craving something lighter but still satisfying after a season of celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This salad is a smart, budget-friendly way to make the most of your holiday ingredients while nourishing your body. It helps reduce food waste, saves time, and supports healthy digestion and blood-sugar balance — especially important after heavier meals. Packed with fiber-rich greens, lean turkey, roasted vegetables, pomegranate seeds, and healthy fats, it’s the perfect reset meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Plus, it’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and even meal-prep friendly. You can toss it together in minutes and feel good knowing you’re fueling your body with real, whole foods.

Ingredients

• 3–4 cups baby kale and/or spinach (or any leafy greens you have on hand — romaine, red-leaf, or spring mix all work)
• 1–2 cups leftover roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or carrots (broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus are also great options)
• 1 cup diced leftover turkey (or chicken)
• ¼ cup pomegranate arils or dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp feta or goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, pecans, or walnuts for crunch
• 2 tbsp Cranberry Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Directions

1. In a large bowl or plate, layer greens, roasted vegetables, and turkey.
2. Sprinkle with pomegranate arils, cheese, and seeds.
3. Drizzle with Cranberry Vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
4. Meal Prep Tip: For grab-and-go lunches, layer ingredients in a mason jar — dressing on the bottom, followed by veggies, turkey, and greens on top. Shake when ready to enjoy!

Cranberry Vinaigrette

Makes: ~1¼ cups | Serving Size: 2 tbsp | Servings: 10

Ingredients

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (with “the mother”)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp pure honey or pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2–3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp fresh-cracked black pepper

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a glass jar (about 10 oz capacity).
2. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Shake before each use.

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Nutrition Highlights

Per 2 Tbsp Cranberry Vinaigrette:

• Calories: 140
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Added Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 250 mg

Nutrition Note:
Compared to bottled dressings, this vinaigrette contains cleaner fats, no additives, and far less sodium — making it a heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory addition to your meals.

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The Functional Benefits

This recipe is more than a way to use leftovers — it’s a functional, nutrient-rich meal designed to help your body feel its best post-holiday:

• Leafy greens provide fiber, folate, and antioxidants to support detox pathways.
• Turkey adds lean protein to help stabilize blood sugar.
• Roasted veggies bring vitamins A and C plus phytonutrients for immune support.
• Pomegranate and nuts add healthy fats and antioxidants for brain and heart health.
• Cranberry vinaigrette delivers tangy flavor with gut-friendly apple cider vinegar.

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Final Thoughts

This Harvest Holiday Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette is the perfect balance of flavor, function, and flexibility. It’s nourishing enough to help you reset after the holidays — and so delicious, you’ll want to make it long after the leftovers are gone.

It’s proof that healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated — just real ingredients, reimagined in simple, nourishing ways.

This is one of my favorite healthy holiday salads, and I shared it with Cleveland 19 News. Want to see the clip?  click here