Festive Romaine Lettuce Salad Christmas Recipe – Jolly Mix

When the festive season rolls around, a vibrant romaine lettuce salad bursts with holiday cheer and unexpected flavor.

Crisp green leaves dance with bright, tangy ingredients that capture the spirit of celebration.

The classic romaine lettuce salad delivers a refreshing counterpoint to rich Christmas dishes.

Every forkful brings a delightful crunch and zesty profile that will surprise your guests.

Colorful vegetables and a perfectly balanced dressing make this salad shine on your holiday table.

Elegant yet simple, this recipe promises to be the unexpected star of your Christmas feast.

Dive into a salad that transforms your meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Romaine Lettuce Salad Christmas

• Chickpeas: Bring nutty protein and delightful crispiness when roasted with spices, select canned or dried chickpeas that are firm and uniform in color..
• Smashed Croutons: Add delectable texture and rustic charm, look for day-old bread or artisan sourdough for best crumbling results..

• Romaine Lettuce: Creates sturdy festive base with crisp green layers, choose bright green leaves without brown edges..
• Tomato: Provides sweet juiciness and vibrant color, select ripe but firm tomatoes with rich red hue..
• Cucumber: Offers cool, refreshing crunch, pick firm cucumbers without soft spots..
• Red Onion: Delivers sharp, zesty bite, select smooth onions with tight, glossy skin..
• Artichoke Hearts: Bring tangy Mediterranean flavor, choose marinated or water-packed varieties..
• Olives: Add briny complexity, select kalamata or mixed Mediterranean varieties..
• Fresh Herbs: Enhance overall brightness and aroma, choose crisp, fragrant bunches..

• Tahini: Creates creamy, nutty base for dressing, choose pure, smooth sesame paste..
• Olive Oil: Provides rich, silky texture, select extra virgin for best flavor..
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy notes, look for high-quality aged varieties..
• Tamari: Contributes deep umami undertones, choose gluten-free version if needed..
• Granulated Garlic, Dried Herbs, Salt, Black Pepper: Elevate overall seas.

Salad Tools That Keep Prep Fast and Crisp

• Large Pan: Essential for crisping chickpeas evenly and creating a delicious base for the salad.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the creamy tahini dressing with all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and herbs with precision.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and artichoke hearts into consistent pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning spices and dressing ingredients.
• Mixing Spoon or Whisk: Great for blending tahini dressing until smooth and creamy.
• Large Platter: Provides the canvas for creating the festive Christmas tree-shaped salad presentation.

How to Toss a Festive Romaine Christmas Salad

Christmas Lettuce Tree Delight

• Crispy Chickpea Crunch

Sizzle chickpeas in a hot pan with fragrant spices until golden and crunchy. Let them dance and pop with flavor, creating a delightful base for our festive salad.

• Silky Tahini Magic

Whisk together a creamy dressing that blends tangy and smooth notes. This liquid gold will bring life and excitement to our holiday creation.

• Veggie Symphony

Chop colorful vegetables into tiny, delicate pieces. Each slice brings texture and brightness to the salad, like confetti on a festive table.

• Festive Lettuce Canvas

Arrange romaine leaves in a beautiful tree-like pattern. Layer from large to small, creating a stunning edible centerpiece that captures the spirit of Christmas.

• Final Flourish

Scatter crispy chickpeas and chopped veggies across the lettuce landscape. Drizzle the luscious tahini sauce and sprinkle crouton crumbs for a final touch of holiday magic.

Tips for Balancing Dressings and Toppings

• Crunch Control: Toast the chickpeas longer for extra crispiness or swap them with roasted almonds for a different protein boost. Ensure they're golden brown and crunchy without burning.
• Dressing Dynamics: Adjust tahini dressing thickness by adding water or extra olive oil. For a zesty twist, squeeze fresh lemon juice or add minced garlic for deeper flavor complexity.
• Holiday Herb Hack: Replace dried herbs with fresh parsley, mint, or dill for brighter, more vibrant taste. Chop herbs finely to distribute flavor evenly across the salad.
• Festive Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle pomegranate seeds for color and sweet-tart crunch. Swap regular croutons with festive-shaped ones or use toasted pine nuts for Mediterranean flair.
• Seasonal Swap Magic: During winter, add roasted butternut squash or golden beets to enhance the Christmas tree presentation and introduce warm, rich flavors to the salad.

Ways to Plate This Salad With Style

• Holiday Table Centerpiece: Create a stunning salad display by arranging the romaine leaves in a perfect Christmas tree shape, making it the star of your festive dinner table. Guests will be amazed by the creative presentation.
• Festive Flavor Boost: Garnish the salad with fresh herbs like parsley or mint, adding a pop of green color and a burst of fresh flavor that complements the Mediterranean-inspired dressing and roasted chickpeas.
• Interactive Dining Experience: Serve the salad family-style on a large platter, allowing guests to serve themselves and appreciate the beautiful layered design. Provide extra tahini dressing on the side for people to customize their portions.
• Protein-Packed Side Dish: Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, feta cheese, or tofu, making it a nutritious and satisfying option for health-conscious diners during the holiday season.

Salad Storage Without Wilting or Soggy Greens

• Refrigerator Fresh Strategy: Store assembled salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain crispness. Keep chickpeas, chopped vegetables, and dressing in individual sealed containers up to 3-4 days before mixing.
• Quick Prep Hack: Prepare chickpeas and chop vegetables in advance during weekend meal prep. This saves significant time during busy weeknight dinners and ensures faster salad assembly.
• Dressing Longevity Tip: Whisk tahini dressing can remain refrigerated for 5-7 days. Store in glass jar with tight lid, giving quick shake before each use to restore creamy consistency.
• Smart Portion Control: Create single-serving salad kits by dividing ingredients into portioned containers. Perfect for grab-and-go lunches or quick workweek meals that stay fresh and delicious.

Festive Romaine Lettuce Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Festive holiday romaine lettuce salad brings Mediterranean charm to seasonal tables. Crisp greens, tangy dressing, and elegant garnishes create a delightful experience you’ll savor through winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2–3 heads romaine lettuce
• 15 oz (425 grams) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup cucumber, diced
• ½ cup tomato, small diced
• ½ cup kalamata olives, sliced
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• ½ cup marinated artichoke hearts, diced
• 2 tsps olive oil
• ½ tsp granulated garlic
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tbsps fresh herbs (dill, parsley, mint, cilantro)
• ½ cup croutons, smashed
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup tahini
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ½ tbsp tamari or soy sauce
• ½ tsp granulated garlic
• ½ tsp dried herbs (Green Goddess seasoning, Herbs de Provence, or dried oregano)

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Instructions

1. Chickpea Preparation: Pat chickpeas completely dry with paper towels, ensuring zero moisture for achieving maximum crunchiness. Heat skillet to medium-high and roast chickpeas with selected spices, stirring continuously until they transform into golden, crispy morsels with a perfectly heated interior.
2. Dressing Creation: Combine tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs in a mixing bowl. Whisk energetically until the mixture develops a smooth, luxurious texture with balanced tangy and herbaceous undertones.
3. Vegetable Preparation: Slice romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion into precise, uniform cubes, promoting elegant presentation and consistent flavor integration throughout the salad.
4. Salad Assembly: Layer romaine lettuce leaves as the foundational base, creating a structured landscape that resembles a festive holiday design. Strategically distribute roasted chickpeas across the lettuce, generating textural complexity and protein-rich zones.
5. Garnishing and Finishing: Artfully arrange diced vegetables over the chickpea-studded surface. Cascade tahini dressing in fluid, sweeping motions, allowing it to embrace each ingredient. Conclude by sprinkling crushed croutons for an additional crisp dimension, elevating the salad’s visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Dry Chickpeas Thoroughly: Pat chickpeas completely dry to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results during roasting.
• Spice Roasting Technique: Continuously stir chickpeas while roasting to develop even golden color and prevent burning, ensuring uniform crunchiness.
• Dressing Consistency Matters: Whisk tahini dressing vigorously to create smooth, well-integrated flavors that coat ingredients perfectly.
• Strategic Layering Approach: Build salad from bottom to top, using larger lettuce leaves as foundation and progressively adding delicate elements for visual and textural complexity.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg