Pomegranate Salad Recipe (2024)

By Tara Parker-Pope

Pomegranate Salad Recipe (1)

Total Time
Total cooking time: 15 min.
Rating
4(251)
Notes
Read community notes

This colorful salad of red pomegranate seeds, Romaine lettuce and roasted sesame seeds, dressed with a fresh pomegranate juice and honey dressing, sets a festive tone for any holiday table.

Sadhna Sheli, a reader from Los Angeles, sent us this recipe which is popular with both adults and kids. “Kids will like it because it has that sweet element to it,” said Ms. Sheli.

Featured in: Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Pomegranate Salad

Learn: How to Make Salad

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 2tablespoons sesame seeds
  • ¼cup mild tasting olive oil
  • 2tablespoons pomegranate juice
  • 2tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 2tablespoons date syrup
  • 2tablespoons honey
  • Himalayan pink salt or sea salt to taste
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 9oz bag romaine or butter lettuce
  • ½cup pomegranate seeds

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

265 calories; 16 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 27 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 332 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Pomegranate Salad Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a small dry skillet toast sesame seeds over medium heat until light brown in color, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour sesame seeds out onto a paper towel to cool.

  2. Step

    2

    Whisk together olive oil, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, date syrup, honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.

  3. Step

    3

    Arrange lettuce in large bowl or platter. Top with pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds, add dressing and toss. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4

out of 5

251

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Marian V.

I hesitate to say I made this. I did not have date syrup, sesame seeds or pomegranate juice. But I had a pomegranate I needed to use. My dressing was probably a little tarter than intended but I like my dressing that way. I would make this again.

self

Did it without date syrup because everyone was afraid it would be too sweet. All loved it, but agreed leaving date syrup out was a good decision.

Sue Llewellyn

No honey here; by choice rather than lack of availability, I figured date syrup would be sweet enough. For us the balance of tartness and sweetness was perfect--and the whole thing was so attractive!

Alex

I replaced the sesame seeds with sunflower seeds.

LaLaMaMa

I, too, was intimidated by the pomegranate molasses in this recipe. However, it turned out that Wegmans had it! If you have an ethnic grocery or otherwise well stocked market in your area, it’s worth seeking it out. I could see this pomegranate molasses being a very exciting ingredient in other sauces and dressings. For this salad, I made the dressing as written. It needs the sweetness to balance out the tartness of the pomegranate and the bitterness of the sesame seeds.

Debbie

I added 1 T of lime juice as I enjoy a tarter dressing. We have a pomegranate tree so I also used fresh juice. Ithe date syrup added a depth of flavor so I didn’t want to forgo it. I also added avacado and baby cucumbers for a creamy crunchier texture

Dinah

So funny. Someone below said: "I have pomegranate molasses but date syrup....?" Whereas I thought to myself after I found date syrup at Fairway: "Really? Pomegranate molasses? Where the heck do you get that?" Obscure ingredients might benefit from links to homemade recipes or links to stores that carry?

Leni

Pomegranate molasses are a speciality from Lebanon.

Sheila

I tripled the recipe and did not use the date syrup or the pomegranate molasses. I did find the seeds from one pomegranate made 6 T of juice. The toasted sesame seeds were superior. I will make this again.

Mead

A big hit here at my last dinner party — simple, easy to prep in advance, tasty, and looked great on the holiday table.

Maureen McHale

Very tasty. We have a lot pomegranates ripening on our tree. I tripled the recipe and did not use the date syrup or the pomegranate molasses. I did find the seeds from one pomegranate made 6 T of juice. The toasted sesame seeds were superior. I will make this again.

Kelly Cutrone

I did not use the date syrup - I did learn how to make date syrup - heat dates w/ water = date syrup. This was such an elegant and amazing salad

Carol

I live in a major city, purchase many relatively obscure ingredients and am a reasonably competent cook. I keep pomegranate molasses in my refrigerator. But DATE SYRUP???? Couldn't the NY TImes have offered an appropriate substitue???? I'm not buying it (assuming I can find it) for one recipe....

Alex

I made this for my family on Thanksgiving, and I decided to leave out the molasses, sea salt, pom juice, and date syrup, but it turned out really well!

Alex

I replaced the sesame seeds with sunflower seeds.

Carol Bream

Our dessert was an apple crumble (with kiwi and raspberries, too), served with vanilla ice cream. We used oatmeal instead of flour for the topping. Yum!!! Again, a great recipe from your site!

Carol Bream

We and our guests loved this. We served it as the salad course after roast chicken coated with a sauce of Dijon mustard, garlic, herbes de provence, black pepper, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The chicken was served with a roasted winter vegetables recipe from your wonderful collection!! Thank you so much!!!!

Roxanne

Does anyone think pepitas (pumpkin seeds) instead of sesame could work?

Shawn

Yes, I love pepitas in my salads and I have mixed them with pomegranate seeds. But to bring out their flavor, you have to roast them first in a hot, dry pan until they pop. Throw them on at the very end so they don't get soggy in the dressing.

Sue Llewellyn

No honey here; by choice rather than lack of availability, I figured date syrup would be sweet enough. For us the balance of tartness and sweetness was perfect--and the whole thing was so attractive!

self

Did it without date syrup because everyone was afraid it would be too sweet. All loved it, but agreed leaving date syrup out was a good decision.

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Pomegranate Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with pomegranate? ›

Apple, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cucumber, dragon fruit, eggplant, elderberry, fennel, ginger, grape, grapefruit, guava, lemon, lettuce, lime, lychee, mandarin, mango, nectarine, orange, pear, persimmon, pineapple, pomelo, potato, raspberry, watermelon, tomato.

Should you rinse pomegranate seeds? ›

You can fill the bowl halfway with water, so the seeds to sink to the bottom while pieces of the pith float to the top. This makes it easier to separate the seeds. Rinse and strain the seeds to remove any unwanted pith remnants. Now, the arils are ready to enjoy.

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.

Should I soak pomegranate? ›

Instead of quartering the pomegranate and immediately removing the arils, soak the quarters in cold water for 5 minutes. This extra step is worth the wait.

What can you not mix with pomegranate? ›

Possible Interactions
  • ACE inhibitors. These types of drugs are used to control high blood pressure and to treat heart failure and prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes. ...
  • Blood pressure medication. Pomegranate juice may lower blood pressure. ...
  • Statin, medications used to lower cholesterols. ...
  • Warfarin (Coumadin).

What flavors mix with pomegranate? ›

Pomegranate: Pairs well with apple, cardamom, cinnamon, citrus, cucumber, ginger, mint, and tropical fruit. For pomegranate co*cktails, you'll find it works exceptionally well with port, tequila, vodka, and both red and white wines.

Do you chew or swallow pomegranate seeds? ›

The seeds are quite crunchy and the texture may seem unusual at first. You'll want to make sure you're chewing the seeds and not swallowing them whole. You can try enjoying the seeds in a salad, on yogurt, or over ice cream for a sweet treat with some health benefits—and a nice little crunch.

Is it okay to eat a whole pomegranate in one sitting? ›

Eating pomegranates as a whole can have anti-inflammatory effects and can protect a human body from various diseases like type-2 diabetes, and obesity.

When should you not eat pomegranate seeds? ›

While pomegranate seeds are safe to eat, consuming a large amount can lead to gastrointestinal problems. A rare side effect of eating an excessive number of pomegranate seeds is an intestinal blockage. People with chronic constipation are at a slightly higher risk of this.

What is the best time to eat pomegranate? ›

The best time to eat pomegranate is in the morning, as it is high in antioxidants and can provide a boost of energy for the day. Pomegranates have many potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving heart health, and even potentially slowing the growth of certain types of cancer cells.

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

Pomegranates contain antioxidants called ellagitannins, which help reduce inflammation in the body. Some studies have found that ellagitannins may help protect the brain against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by reducing oxidative damage and increasing the survival of brain cells.

What does pomegranate do for women's health? ›

Pomegranate can significantly improve hot flashes severity and menopause symptoms and decrease FSH. It significantly improves high-density lipoprotein but not low-density lipoprotein, body mass index, and weight.

Do you put pomegranates in the fridge or counter? ›

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 can't you eat the white part of a pomegranate? ›

People may also refer to pomegranate seeds as arils. The white flesh surrounding these seeds is technically edible but is bitter, and most people avoid it. The skin of pomegranate fruit is again technically edible, but people typically only use it as an extract.

Can you eat a pomegranate like an apple? ›

Though they look a bit like red apples, you don't eat pomegranates by biting into them like an apple. Instead, to eat a pomegranate, you'll open up the thick, hard rind to find the inside filled with juicy, red seeds called arils.

What blends well with pomegranate? ›

Pomegranate mixes well with so many fruits. You can pair it with citrus, berries, bananas and more! It also pairs well with a variety of squashes, so don't be afraid to toss some pomegranate arils in your next dish.

What colors go well with pomegranate? ›

Colors that pair well with pomegranate include, white, various shades of gray, beige, tan, black, gold and teal. Many of these combinations create an attractive, sophisticated, yet contemporary palette, making them a perfect combination for interior design.

What cheese pairs well with pomegranate? ›

Pairing Notes

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

Is it OK to eat apple and pomegranate together? ›

Yes, you can eat pomegranate and apples together. Eating these two fruits together can provide a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and potassium. Apples are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

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