Name: Strawberry Pomegranate Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, baby spinach, arugula, or preferred mix); 1 to 2 cups hulled and sliced strawberries; Seeds from 1 pomegranate (about 1 cup); ½ red onion (thinly sliced (optional)); ½ cucumber (sliced or diced (optional)); ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice or orange juice; 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup; Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Bright, vibrant, and bursting with natural sweetness, this Strawberry & Pomegranate Salad is a fresh way to brighten your meals. Combining juicy strawberries and crunchy pomegranate seeds with crisp greens and a subtly sweet citrus-honey dressing creates a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Perfect as a light lunch or a colorful side dish, this salad invites you to savor the taste of fresh fruit paired with tender greens and optional creamy cheese for an irresistible contrast. It’s both visually stunning and flavorful, making it a must-have in your healthy recipe rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick to prepare with fresh, wholesome ingredients perfect for any season.
Balancing sweet, tart, and savory flavors for a well-rounded and exciting taste.
Highly versatile with optional add-ins like cheese, nuts, or seeds for extra texture and nutrition.

Ingredients

Mixed Salad Greens: Four cups of fresh romaine, baby spinach, arugula, or your preferred combination of leafy greens, washed and dried for a crisp base.
Strawberries: One to two cups hulled and sliced ripe strawberries offering juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
Pomegranate Seeds: Seeds from one pomegranate (around one cup), providing a tart, crunchy burst with every bite.
Red Onion (Optional): Half a red onion thinly sliced adds a mild sharpness that complements the fruits.
Cucumber (Optional): Half a cucumber sliced or diced adds a refreshing, crisp texture to balance the sweetness.
Feta or Goat Cheese (Optional): A quarter cup crumbled for a creamy, tangy contrast that enriches the salad’s flavor.
Olive Oil: Three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to create a smooth, healthy dressing base.
Lemon or Orange Juice: One to two tablespoons fresh juice adds bright citrus notes to enhance the salad’s freshness.
Honey or Maple Syrup: One tablespoon to gently sweeten the dressing naturally and harmonize flavors.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Added to taste to season the dressing and bring out the salad’s natural flavors.

Instructions

Prepare the Fruit and Greens: Thoroughly rinse and dry your salad greens to ensure they remain crisp and fresh. Hull and slice the strawberries evenly so they blend smoothly with the other textures. Carefully open the pomegranate to remove the seeds without bruising them, then add both strawberries and seeds to the bowl of greens. Incorporate the thinly sliced red onion and cucumber if using, as they add complementary layers of flavor and crunch.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon or orange juice, and honey or maple syrup. Whisk or shake vigorously to emulsify the liquids into a balanced, flavorful dressing. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, enhancing the components without overpowering the delicate fruit and greens.
Toss and Dress the Salad: Drizzle the citrus-honey dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Use gentle tossing motions to combine everything thoroughly without bruising the delicate fruit or greens. This ensures each bite is lightly coated, delivering consistent flavor throughout.
Add Cheese and Final Touches (Optional): Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese on top of the tossed salad for a creamy and tangy contrast. This step is optional but highly recommended for adding a rich dimension to the fresh, fruity flavors. Consider adding toasted nuts or seeds here for extra crunch and nutritional value.
Serve Immediately: Serve your Strawberry & Pomegranate Salad right away, either chilled or at room temperature, to enjoy the fresh textures and vibrant flavor contrasts at their peak. This salad is best eaten soon after preparing to keep the greens crisp.

You Must Know

Adjust the fruit quantities to suit your preferred sweetness and tartness balance.
Prepare the salad ingredients ahead but dress just before serving to maintain crispness.
Use freshly squeezed citrus juice for the best, brightest dressing flavor.

Storage Tips

Store prepared salad greens and fruit separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Keep the dressing in a sealed jar and combine just before serving to avoid sogginess.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, or light sandwiches. It also serves as a colorful addition to holiday spreads or casual get-togethers, offering a refreshing fruit and green option.

Professional Tips

Use a sharp knife to hull and slice strawberries cleanly, preventing fruit bruising and leakage.
Remove the pomegranate seeds over a large bowl of water to reduce mess; seeds sink, membranes float.
Toast nuts lightly before adding to enhance flavor and crunch.
For vegan versions, substitute honey with maple syrup and omit cheese.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?: Yes, but keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to preserve the greens’ freshness and crunch.
What fruits can I substitute for strawberries or pomegranate?: Try blueberries, raspberries, or orange segments for similar sweet-tart contrasts that complement the greens.
Is feta cheese necessary?: No, cheese is optional. You can omit it for a dairy-free salad or use shaved Parmesan as an alternative.
What nuts work best if I want extra crunch?: Toasted almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds all add great texture and flavor.
Can I use bottled lemon or orange juice?: Fresh juice is preferred for its brightness, but bottled juice can work in a pinch — adjust sweetness to taste.
How long will leftovers keep?: Leftover salad is best eaten within a day; store undressed components separately and refrigerate promptly.
Can this salad be part of a meal prep plan?: Yes, prepare the components in advance and combine with dressing just before eating for a quick, healthy option.