Bright & Tangy Ina Garten Pomegranate Salad Recipe

Pomegranate salad bursts with vibrant colors and unexpected flavor combinations that dance across your plate.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into a culinary celebration of textures and tastes.

Mediterranean-inspired elements weave through this delightful composition, bringing balanced nutrition and visual appeal.

Crisp greens provide a verdant foundation for jewel-like ruby seeds scattered like edible gems.

Creamy cheese and crunchy nuts add delightful contrasts that elevate each forkful.

Seasonal produce ensures maximum freshness and a natural sweetness that feels both elegant and approachable.

This recipe promises a sensory experience that connects you with wholesome, beautiful food: dig in!

Why Pomegranate Salad Pops with Brightness

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This salad explodes with a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that dance across your taste buds. Pomegranate seeds provide bright bursts of sweetness, while feta cheese adds a creamy, salty counterpoint that keeps every bite interesting.
• Textural Wonderland: Enjoy a symphony of textures that make this salad incredibly satisfying. Crisp greens contrast with creamy avocado, crunchy toasted almonds provide a nutty crunch, and juicy pomegranate seeds pop with each mouthful.
• Quick and Effortless Gourmet: Whip up a restaurant-worthy dish in just minutes with simple techniques that anyone can master. The easy dressing and minimal chopping make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks wanting to elevate their meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Pack your plate with a rainbow of ingredients that deliver both incredible taste and impressive health benefits. Fresh ingredients like avocado, pomegranate, and mixed greens offer a fantastic blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and heart-healthy nutrients.

What’s in This Bold, Colorful Dish

• Mixed Salad Greens: Fresh and crisp base for the salad, provides a light and nutritious foundation.

• Pomegranate Seeds, Apple: Sweet and crunchy elements that add brightness and texture to the salad.
• Red Onion, Avocado: Sharp onion provides a zesty kick, while creamy avocado offers richness and smoothness.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy and salty cheese that adds a Mediterranean flavor profile.

• Sliced Almonds: Nutty and crunchy garnish that brings a toasted warmth to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Smooth and rich base for the dressing that helps blend flavors.
• Pomegranate Molasses or Balsamic Vinegar: Adds sweet-tart depth and complexity to the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the acidity in the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides a subtle spicy and tangy note to the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor.

Assembling a Tangy-Sweet Pomegranate Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Mixed salad greens
• Pomegranate
• Red onion
• Apple
• Avocado
• Sliced almonds
• Feta cheese

Wash and dry the greens thoroughly. Carefully remove pomegranate seeds. Thinly slice red onion and apple. Dice avocado into delightful cubes.

Step 2: Awaken Almond Flavors

Heat a dry skillet over medium flame. Pour sliced almonds and gently toast until they turn golden brown. Stir constantly to prevent burning and release their nutty aroma.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Pomegranate molasses
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until they transform into a smooth, tangy blend.

Step 4: Build Colorful Salad Base

• Mixed salad greens
• Pomegranate seeds
• Sliced red onion
• Apple slices
• Diced avocado
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Toasted almonds

Step 5: Dress and Toss

Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad. Use gentle movements to coat each ingredient with delicious flavor.

Step 6: Present and Enjoy

Transfer salad to serving plates. Enjoy immediately as a refreshing side or light lunch option. Watch friends and family delight in this colorful dish.

Tips for Crunch and Juiciness in Every Bite

• Boost Nut Flavor: Toasting almonds releases their natural oils, creating a deeper, richer taste that transforms the entire salad.
• Prevent Avocado Browning: Slice avocados just before serving to maintain their bright green color and fresh texture.
• Balance Dressing Perfectly: Adjust the dressing's sweetness and acidity by tasting and adding small amounts of honey or vinegar until it's just right.
• Dress with Gentle Technique: Use a light tossing motion to ensure every ingredient gets a delicate coating of dressing without bruising delicate greens.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy the salad right after preparation to experience the crispest textures and most vibrant flavors.

Best Ways to Keep Pomegranate Seeds Fresh

• Preserve Salad Integrity: Seal individual components separately in glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Separate leafy greens, pomegranate seeds, and dressing into distinct compartments to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting. Refrigerate each section at 40°F or below to extend freshness.
• Moisture Management: Line storage containers with paper towels to absorb excess liquid and prevent ingredient degradation. Layer ingredients strategically, placing denser components like seeds at the bottom and delicate greens on top. This technique prevents premature sogginess and preserves the salad's vibrant character.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Consume within 24-36 hours for optimal taste and nutritional value. Mix dressing immediately before serving to keep ingredients bright and crunchy.

Salad Twists to Try with Pomegranate Seeds

• Citrus Fusion Salad: Replace balsamic vinegar with fresh orange juice and add mandarin orange segments for a bright, zesty flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Incorporate chopped fresh mint and parsley, swap feta for crumbled goat cheese, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend for an aromatic Middle Eastern touch.
• Autumn Harvest Salad: Substitute apple with roasted butternut squash cubes, add dried cranberries, and use pumpkin seeds instead of almonds for a seasonal winter variation.
• Protein Power Salad: Top with grilled chicken or seared salmon, include quinoa for extra protein, and add roasted chickpeas for additional texture and nutrition.

Salad Recap with a Pop

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s pomegranate salad, blending sweet, tangy, and savory notes into a symphony of flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance across plates, creating a sensory experience that transcends ordinary salads.

Pomegranate seeds sparkle like ruby jewels, complementing crisp greens and creamy avocado.

Toasted almonds provide delightful crunch while feta cheese adds Mediterranean sophistication.

Homemade dressing elevates each ingredient, connecting flavors with elegant simplicity.

When craving inspiration, reach for this recipe – share its beauty, comment on its brilliance, and spread culinary joy with fellow epicurean adventurers.

Ina Garten Pomegranate Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Pomegranate Salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your table with a dazzling mix of fresh greens, juicy pomegranate seeds, and crumbled goat cheese. Crisp arugula and tangy vinaigrette create a perfect harmony that delights your palate and leaves you craving another forkful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, or a mix)
• 1 cup (150 grams) pomegranate seeds
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

Cheese and Nuts:

• ½ cup (75 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup (30 grams) sliced almonds, toasted

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Meticulously rinse and pat dry the salad greens using a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
2. Carefully extract pomegranate seeds by cutting the fruit in half and gently tapping the back with a wooden spoon over a bowl to release the seeds.
3. Using a sharp knife, slice the red onion into translucent, paper-thin rings and cut the apple into delicate, uniform matchstick-sized pieces.
4. Halve the ripe avocado, remove the pit, and cube the flesh into neat, bite-sized chunks using a precise cutting technique.
5. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and scatter sliced almonds, continuously stirring to prevent burning until they develop a golden-brown, fragrant appearance (approximately 3 to 4 minutes).
6. In a small mixing bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, pomegranate molasses, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Vigorously whisk the dressing ingredients until they emulsify into a smooth, well-integrated vinaigrette.
8. Transfer mixed salad greens into a spacious serving bowl, creating a verdant base for the remaining ingredients.
9. Artfully arrange pomegranate seeds, red onion rings, apple slivers, avocado cubes, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted almonds atop the greens.
10. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using a gentle tossing motion to ensure each ingredient is lightly coated without bruising the delicate components.
11. Serve immediately to preserve the crisp textures and vibrant flavors of the salad.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by toasting almonds slowly in a dry skillet, watching carefully to achieve a perfect golden-brown color without burning.
• Preserve avocado’s vibrant green hue by adding it as the final step just before serving, preventing unsightly browning.
• Customize dressing balance by tasting and adjusting seasonings, adding a touch more honey for sweetness or vinegar for tang.
• Create harmonious texture by gently folding ingredients, ensuring each piece gets an even, luxurious coating of dressing.
• Chill salad briefly before serving to let flavors meld and develop a more complex, refreshing taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg