Pomegranate Arugula Salad, Apples and Pecans
Easy Pomegranate Arugula Salad Recipe! Healthy pomegranate salad with arugula, apples, and pecans is super easy to make, pretty, and perfect for any occasion! My pomegranate arugula salad bursts with delicious flavors from the slightly spiced arugula, sweet and crisp apples, and crunchy pecans. This easy salad is bejeweled with fresh pomegranate seeds or arils…
Easy Pomegranate Arugula Salad Recipe!
Healthy pomegranate salad with arugula, apples, and pecans is super easy to make, pretty, and perfect for any occasion! My pomegranate arugula salad bursts with delicious flavors from the slightly spiced arugula, sweet and crisp apples, and crunchy pecans.
This easy salad is bejeweled with fresh pomegranate seeds or arils and finished with pomegranate salad dressing. This would make an enviable summertime salad as well!
If you’re tired of the same old salads every day, it’s time to shake things up with a fresh and vibrant salad that will have you coming back for more. Along with my pomegranate vinaigrette dressing, it’s perfect for a light and refreshing main or side dish. Feel free to add any choice of protein – fish, chicken, or turkey! Give this salad recipe a try today!
Perfect Festive Holiday Salad for Christmas or Thanksgiving
When the holidays roll around, pomegranates, apples, and pecans are everywhere. Make use of them and their colorful displays by incorporating them into this salad. The flavors and textures unite on your palate for a sensational salad you’ll want to eat every day!
Let’s say hello to this spectacular + fancy salad that is light, fruity, and fit for the holidays!
WATCH HOW I MADE THIS RECIPE:
What Is Pomegranate?
You’ve probably walked by pomegranates in your supermarket produce aisle wondering about them. You can’t eat the exterior, but the interior is bursting with arils, seeds that burst with a bright red juice. You’ll find pomegranates in season during winter, though you can find pomegranates in some grocery stores during summer. In fact, this is one salad you can make at any time of year!
For the pomegranate salad dressing, you can use pure pomegranate juice to help you make it in absence of fresh pomegranate fruit. POM Wonderful is one of the brands out there that I like. Personally, I prefer using fresh pomegranate like the one pictured below!
When Should You Not Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
Pomegranate seeds are safe for most people, but you will want to avoid eating tons of them because the seeds can cause gastrointestinal upset. It’s really rare, but eating excessive amounts of the seeds can block things up in your intestines. If you have chronic constipation, you’re more at risk. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat them though…just watch your intake.
And of course, the juices from the pomegranate will not cause any trouble. You’ll be getting loads of lovely antioxidants and vitamins from this delicious fruit.
Why You Will Love This Pomegranate Arugula Salad, Apples and Pecans
- It’s simple to make.
- It looks impressive enough to be part of a holiday feast or a formal meal.
- The textures and flavors are balanced out perfectly to make every bite a delight.
- It only takes a few simple ingredients to make.
- It’s absolutely delicious!
- This salad recipe is naturally vegetarian; however, you can add any choice of protein.
- Perfect easy salad that requires only five ingredients.
- Beginner cooks can easily make pomegranate arugula salad!
Pomegranate Arugula Salad Recipe Ingredients:
- Fresh pomegranate fruit (check out how to seed it)
- Arugula
- Apple
- Roasted Pecans (here’s how to roast it)
- Feta cheese
- Pomegranate salad dressing (use this recipe); you can also use any other salad dressing you choose.
How to Make Pomegranate Salad with Arugula and Pecans (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how you can make a salad that everyone will beg to eat!
- Prep pecans
Follow this instruction to roast your pecans and set aside. Alternatively, you can buy roasted pecans to save time!
- Make the Salad Dressing
Make the pomegranate salad dressing using this recipe, and set aside. On the other hand, you can always use any salad dressing of choice!
- Cut the Apple
Wash the apple and then slice it up.
- Gather and Assemble your Pomegranate Arugula Salad
Gather all the ingredients and then assemble them all in a big salad bowl. I lay the arugula first then add the slices of apples on top. I toss some pomegranate seeds on top, followed by the feta cheese and roasted pecans.
- Add salad Dressing Before Serving
Generally, I suggest adding the salad dressing shortly before serving! The pomegranate vinaigrette dressing (or any dressing you choose) should be the last ingredient to add. Then serve and enjoy!
Tips and Recipe Notes
- Prep the pecans ahead of making the salad. You can use my roasted pecan recipe.
- You should also make my pomegranate vinaigrette dressing before you assemble this salad. You can do that while the pecans roast.
- Always choose the freshest ingredients for your salad for the best flavors!
- Add the salad dressing shortly before serving/eating.
- Additionally, you can use another type green if you don’t enjoy arugula! Spinach works well with pomegranates.
- If possible, make pecans and salad dressing days ahead especially if planning to make this salad during festive period.
- You can use store-bought roasted pomegranate to save time.
- Use your favorite salad dressing!
What to Serve with Pomegranate Salad
Perfect roast leg of lamb that is extraordinarily juicy, tender, and flavorful—literally the epitome of a flawless roast. This will go amicably well with this festive pomegranate arugula salad!
Healthy Air Fryer Salmon will change your life! This healthy salmon recipe has a crisp outside and flaky + tender inside! Air-fried salmon is flavorful, tasty, light, and perfect with any side dish!
Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast! Boneless stuffed turkey breast is moist, juicy, tender, and arguably delicious! This simple turkey baked breast recipe is the perfect alternative to a full-size turkey for small families during the holidays!
These bone-in chicken thighs in the Air Fryer are crispy on the outside and yet very juicy on the inside. Excellent with flavors, easy to cook, and ready in 30 minutes or less.
Pomegranate Salad FAQs
Yes, you absolutely can. You can eat the entire aril that includes the seeds and the juices.
Many flavors combine well with pomegranate including apple, pear, lemon, grapefruit, arugula, watermelon, tomato, ginger, and mango, to name a few.
Pomegranate is a match for many cheeses. In this salad, I’ve paired it with feta, though you could use goat cheese, smoked cheddar, or even brie along with pomegranate.
Yes, you eat the whole aril or seed which includes the little white bit inside and the juicy portion all around it. No need to spit it out…simply chew it up and enjoy!
Of course! These are safe to eat, though avoid eating the white flesh that surrounds those pretty red arils because it’s bitter.
Well naturally, my pomegranate vinaigrette is the best dressing for this pomegranate arugula salad. You could also use oil and vinegar to keep things simple, but believe me, when you try this dressing, it’s going to be your new favorite salad dressing for this salad and EVERY salad.
Variations/Substitutions
- Use a couple different kinds of apples to add a tart and sweet profile.
- Swap the apples out for pears, another fall holiday fruit that will work in this salad.
- Instead of feta cheese, you can use goat cheese for a crumbly style cheese or go with brie or smoked cheddar.
- If you’re vegan, you can simply omit the cheese in this recipe or use vegan cheese as a substitute.
- Use a different kind of green.
- Don’t like pecans? Use walnuts, cashew nuts or pumpkin seeds!
HOW TO MAKE THIS SALAD RECIPE
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Pomegranate Arugula Salad, Apples and Pecans
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Healthy pomegranate arugula salad with apples and pecans is easy to make, pretty, and perfect for any occasion! My pomegranate salad bursts with delicious flavors from the slightly spiced arugula, sweet and crisp apples, and crunchy pecans.
This easy salad is bejeweled with fresh pomegranate seeds or arils and finished with pomegranate salad dressing. This would make an enviable summertime salad recipe as well!
Ingredients
- 1 Fresh pomegranate fruit (use as much as you want); see how to seed it
- 5 oz Arugula (more/less)
- 1 Apple
- A handful – 1/4 cup Roasted Pecans (here’s how I roasted mine)
- 2 oz Feta cheese
- Pomegranate Vinaigrette ( my recipe; was good); or any other salad dressing!
Instructions
- Prep pecans. Follow this instruction to roast your pecans and set aside. Alternatively, you can buy roasted pecans to save time!
- Make the Salad Dressing. Make the pomegranate salad dressing aka, vinaigrette using this recipe, and set aside. On the other hand, you can always use any salad dressing of choice!
- Cut the apple. Wash the apple and then slice it up.
- Gather and Assemble your Pomegranate Salad. Gather all the ingredients and then assemble them all in a big salad bowl. I lay the arugula first then add the slices of apples on top. I toss some pomegranate seeds on top, followed by the feta cheese and roasted pecans.
- Add salad Dressing Before Serving. Generally, I suggest adding the salad dressing shortly before serving! The pomegranate vinaigrette dressing (or any dressing you choose) should be the ingredient to add. Then serve and enjoy!
- WATCH HOW TO MAKE POMEGRANATE ARUGULA SALAD BELOW:
Notes
Prep the pecans ahead of making the salad. You can use my roasted pecan recipe.
You should also make my pomegranate vinaigrette dressing before you assemble this salad. You can do that while the pecans roast.
Always choose the freshest ingredients for your salad for the best flavors!
Add the salad dressing shortly before serving/eating.
Additionally, you can use another type of green if you don’t enjoy arugula! Spinach works well with pomegranates.
If possible, make pecans and salad dressing days ahead, especially if you are planning to make this salad during the festive period.
You can use store-bought roasted pecans to save time.
Use your favorite salad dressing!
This recipe may take a little bit of time if you have to make everything from scratch. I usually make the dressing days ahead.
Finally, let’s connect on social media, am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. If you like video recipes, then be sure to head over to my YouTube Channel. Share this post, and SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ⤵️
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
Love this Pomegranate Arugula Salad Recipe, looks fresh, delicious and easy to make!!! definitely will make it soon for the summer. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Glad you like this, Elisa! Hope you enjoy!
Such a simple, yet delicious salad! 🙂 I am definitely going to make this soon.
Yes, it is so easy!
This salad is so light and refreshing! I absolutely love the homemade dressing as well!
Glad you love this salt, Holley!!!
I just love green salads that include fruit! This one is just bursting with fruity flavor. The vinaigrette complements this salad so well too!
Same here, Elizabeth! I love greens salads with fruits! So delish
This is the ultimate fall recipe! I am so excited for when I can buy pomegranates again to make this recipe, thank you so much for sharing 🙂
You are welcome, Cathleen! Hope you enjoy!
Found this salad recipe on Pinterest and made it for thanksgiving! Everyone loved it. Unfortunately I didn’t have pecans or feta cheese, used walnuts and goat cheese instead and it paired really well! Even tried the pomegranate vinaigrette recipe!
Definitely making this again!
So happy that this recipe worked for you, Priya!!! Woohoo! Glad to hear that everyone enjoyed it.
I think I will try it with Goat cheese as you did. Thanks again.