Description
This Pomegranate and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad is a festive, colorful, and refreshing holiday side dish. With peppery arugula, juicy pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy candied pecans, it’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Quick to prepare and elegant to present, it’s ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall and winter gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh arugula (about 5 oz)
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: Place arugula in a large salad bowl as the base.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, candied pecans, and sliced red onion over the greens.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.
Notes
- Prep ahead: Make the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance, seed the pomegranate, and crumble the goat cheese.
- Store candied pecans separately to keep them crunchy.
- Swap arugula with spinach or kale for a milder base.
- Add orange segments, roasted beets, or quinoa for extra flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook, Tossed
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Pomegranate Goat Cheese Salad, Arugula Christmas Salad, Fall Salad Recipes, Holiday Side Dish Salad, Winter Salad with Pomegranate