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Cranberry Salad

Cranberry Salad

A bright, tangy cranberry salad that doubles as a holiday dish or everyday side dish—this easy recipe blends tart berries, sweet honey, crunchy nuts, and juicy fruit into one irresistible festive salad.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Course Side Dish
Servings 8 side dish

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries Ocean Spray or your local farm
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar C&H or organic
  • 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice about ½ orange
  • 1 Tbsp honey raw honey adds depth
  • 1 medium apple cored and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts toasted (substitute pecans or almonds)
  • ½ cup mini marshmallows optional; omit for vegan
  • 1 tsp orange zest from organic orange
  • Pinch salt balances sweetness
  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds optional toss-in for extra pop

Instructions
 

  • Rinse cranberries and pat dry—moist berries can dilute your dressing.
  • In a food processor, pulse berries + sugar 6–8 times until bits are pea-sized. You want texture, not puree.
  • Pour in orange juice, honey, zest, and a pinch of salt. Pulse twice more so dressing coats all bits—if it’s too thick, drizzle 1 tsp water.
  • Transfer to a bowl. Gently stir in diced apple, toasted walnuts, and marshmallows with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to 6 hours) so flavors marry and salad firms up nicely.
  • Stir briefly, then transfer to a serving dish. Top with pomegranate seeds or fresh mint sprigs for a festive finish.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. No reheating needed—just give it a gentle stir before serving. Freezing is possible (up to 1 month), but texture softens after thawing.
Keyword Cranberry Salad, family-friendly, Festive Salad, Gluten-Free, Holiday Dish, tangy
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