Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This pomegranate salad has just the right ingredients to go with any dish this holiday season! Packed with texture, different fruits, and delicious greens, you will be coming back for seconds (and probably even thirds)!

Salads are so typical in the summer, but if you can find a good salad for the wintertime… I call that a winner! Try out some more delicious winter salads that you will eat all season long! My favorites are this The Best Winter Fruit Salad, this yummy Winter Cobb Salad, and this delicious Christmas Fruit Salad!

Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (1)

Pomegranate Salad Recipe

If you have never tried pomegranates or haven’t been a huge fan until now… you MUST try this salad! It will definitely change your mind. The tangy flavor and the slight crunch are the perfect addition to any recipe. This salad combines that traditional holiday ingredient with some nuts, greens, and a yummy and fresh pear! Even my kids like this salad. And we all know that kids are the best critics of any food.

The key to getting a delicious salad just right is the ratio of ingredients. You don’t want to have too much of any one ingredient, or it will overwhelm the others. But, on the other hand, having too much plain lettuce just doesn’t make it appealing. What really sets this pomegranate salad recipe apart is the homemade champagne vinaigrette. It adds the perfect creamy texture and flavor to go it.

Ingredients in a Pomegranate Salad

A pomegranate salad can have a variety of ingredients. I chose to combine a few simple ingredients that complement each other (the parmesan cheese adds the best flavor!), and I think it makes up the perfect winter salad! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Spring Lettuce Mix: You can use any salad mix, like baby spinach or arugula, but I like the spring mix because of the textures and colors.
  • Pomegranate Seeds: These add in a burst of flavor!
  • Pear: I love how the pear looks sliced up in this salad, but its delicate texture and subtle taste add a lot to the salad.
  • Candied Pecans: I have also tried walnuts and almonds; they also make a great combination!
  • Parmesan Cheese: Shaved parmesan cheese is a favorite at our house, but feta cheese or goat cheese are some other great ones to try!
  • Champagne Vinaigrette: You have to try making this recipe from scratch (it takes 10 minutes!) with this recipe.

How to Make a Pomegranate Salad

Making a salad is simple and easy! This pomegranate salad is no exception. Once you taste this combination of flavors and textures, you won’t be able to stop. After just a few simple steps, you will enjoy this salad on its own or any meal.

  1. Make Dressing: Prepare thechampagne vinaigrettedressing ahead of time according to the recipe. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it’s time to dress the salad.
  2. Add Lettuce: Add the lettuce mix to a large shallow bowl.
  3. Slice Pear: Cut the pear into thin slices, but keep the slices together to fan out beautifully on top of the salad.
  4. Mix: Sprinkle the candied pecans, parmesan shavings, and pomegranate arils over the lettuce mix.
  5. Drizzle: Wait to dress the salad until you’re ready to serve. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss it gently to coat the ingredients.
  6. Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (2)

Easy Pomegranate Seeds Tip

I sometimes think that getting the seeds out of a pomegranate can be more work than it’s worth! BUT… Did you know that at your local grocery store (and every once in a while, Costco!), you can buy a container that is filled with pomegranate seeds? You don’t have to spend any time getting them out of the actual pomegranate at all! When you are in a time crunch and want to make this pomegranate salad, this can save you so much time and effort!

Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (3)

Make Ahead of Time

If you want to make this pomegranate salad ahead of time, you can! It’s great to be able to save some time. Just make sure not to add the dressing until just before serving so that the salad doesn’t get soggy.

  • Salad: Toss all of the salad ingredients together and store them in the fridge in an airtight container. It will last about 2-3 days without the dressing.
  • Dressing: You can easily make the salad dressing ahead of time, and it will last about 7-10 days in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Add it to your salad just before serving.
Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (4)

More Delicious Pomegranate Recipes

Once you start adding pomegranates to your food, you won’t be able to stop! I am a huge fan of them because they add such a unique taste and texture. Check out a few more recipes that use pomegranates and you will be hooked just like me!

Salads

Apple Pomegranate Almond Salad with a Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

15 mins

Salads

Orange Pomegranate Salad with an Orange Vinaigrette Dressing

20 mins

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Winter Pomegranate Orange Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Greek Yogurt Dressing

15 mins

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Pomegranate Salad

By: Alyssa Rivers

This pomegranate salad has just the right ingredients to go with any dish this holiday season! Packed with texture, different fruits, and delicious greens, you will be coming back for seconds (and probably even thirds)!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 5 cups spring lettuce mix, washed and dried
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 pear, sliced
  • 1/2 cup candied pecans (store-bought makes it easy)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shaved
  • champagne vinaigrette, prepared

Instructions

  • Prepare the champagne vinaigrette dressing ahead of time according to the recipe. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until it's time to dress the salad.

  • Add the lettuce mix to a large shallow bowl.

  • Cut the pear into thin slices, but keep the slices together to fan out beautifully on top of the salad.

  • Sprinkle the candied pecans, parmesan shavings, and pomegranate arils over the lettuce mix.

  • Wait to dress the salad until you’re ready to serve. Drizzle over the salad and toss it gently to coat the ingredients with the dressing.

  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 110mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 341IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of pomegranate in salad? ›

They have powerful antioxidants that can help protect the health of your heart, kidneys, and gut microbiome. They may also help protect you from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and some cancers. Add pomegranate to your diet by sprinkling its seeds onto your salads, oatmeal, hummus, or other dishes.

Can you eat pomegranate with cheese? ›

The rich, buttery cheese is delightful topped with sweet, crunchy pomegranates and pistachios. This baked brie recipe might just be the best holiday appetizer out there. Of course, it's delicious. What could be better than rich, melty brie piled onto golden brown baguette with honey, fruit, and nuts?

How long does pomegranate last? ›

Pomegranate arils are perishable, plain and simple. These delicate, ruby red gems start to go bad as soon as you crack open a whole pomegranate and remove the seeds. “An unopened pomegranate can last up to one month at room temperature or up to two months in the refrigerator.

What happens to your body when you eat pomegranate daily? ›

Preliminary studies show that dietary pomegranate produces brain anti-inflammatory effects that may help stall the progression of Alzheimer Disease. Other studies suggest drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily helps improve performance in tasks related to learning and memory.

Is pomegranate good or bad for you? ›

Pomegranates are low in calories and fat but high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Benefits include antioxidants, heart health, urinary health, exercise endurance, and more. Pomegranates are round, red fruits. They feature a white inner flesh that's packed with crunchy, juicy edible seeds called arils.

What can you not mix with pomegranate? ›

Taking pomegranate juice along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.

What cheese pairs best with pomegranate? ›

Pairing Notes

The smoked cheddar pairs well with pomegranate because of its sharp tart sweet taste acting much like a palate cleanser.

What can you not eat in a pomegranate? ›

Note that small scratches on the skin won't affect the inside. Only eat the seeds. Though the white, pithy part is safe to eat, it's bitter and most people choose to discard it. The skin is technically edible as well but generally used in extract and powdered forms.

How long should I wait to drink water after eating pomegranate? ›

Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit. It is suggested that you drink water for at least an hour after eating fruits.

Do you swallow pomegranate seeds or spit them out? ›

Inside each aril is a small seed. It's OK to eat the arils as a whole or stick with the juice and spit out the seeds. But don't eat the rind and white areas, called membranes, around the arils. Half of a cup of arils has 72 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates and three grams of fiber.

Can dogs have pomegranates? ›

Raw pomegranate isn't toxic to dogs, but it can make them sick. 1 "Eating more than a few of the seeds or any of the peel can cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain," says Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian and consultant with PetKeen.com, a pet advice site.

Should you refrigerate pomegranates? ›

Pomegranates should be kept in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. Whole fruit can be refrigerated and will keep as long as 2 months. Fresh seeds or juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Pomegranate arils can be frozen for later use.

Why is pomegranate so expensive? ›

Thus, cultivation, harvesting, processing, handling, storage, and marketing all have an impact on the fruit's quality. Those that meet the quality standards, displaying vibrant color, minimal blemishes, and well-formed pomegranates usually demand higher prices.

How can you tell a good pomegranate? ›

Shape The ripest pomegranates aren't shaped like balls. Look for flattened, angular sides rather than perfectly rounded spheres. Skin Tone Pomegranates vary in color from light to dark red. No matter what the color, the real clues to ripeness are the smoothness and firmness of its tough, leathery skin.

What are 3 benefits of pomegranate? ›

(pomegranate) has several health benefits. Pomegranates can help prevent or treat various disease risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and inflammatory activities.

What is the healthiest way to eat pomegranate? ›

Easy ways to add pomegranate to your diet

Toss them into a green or fruit salad. Sprinkle some seeds onto your yogurt or oatmeal. Add them to smoothies or juices.

What does pomegranate do for gut? ›

Pomegranate is rich in bioactive components. Consumption of pomegranate positively modulates gut microbiota. Gut microbiota can transform ellagitannins in pomegranate into urolithin. Urolithin has high bioavailability and multiple health benefits.

Is it better to eat pomegranate before or after eating? ›

Morning is the best time to consume Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are high in calories and can help with anaemia. So have them in the morning for energy. One should consume pomegranates before lunchtime.

References

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