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Crispy Pomegranate Winter Salad with Feta and Pecans

Crispy Pomegranate Winter Salad - featured image
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A bright, textured winter salad featuring peppery arugula, sweet pomegranate arils, salty feta cheese, and perfectly toasted buttery pecans. This dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and is ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 ounces arugula
  • 2–3 ounces mixed greens (baby kale or spring mix)
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup cured apricots, chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the arugula and mixed greens. If using fresh pomegranates, cut in half and tap to release arils. Crumble feta and chop apricots. Set aside.
  2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt until foaming. Add pecans in a single layer and cook, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
  3. Immediately remove pecans from heat and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess butter. Sprinkle with salt while warm.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and black pepper until emulsified. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss greens with about half of the dressing. Add pomegranate arils and apricots, tossing gently to distribute.
  6. Transfer salad to a serving platter. Top with crumbled feta and toasted pecans. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.

Notes

Toast pecans separately and keep them in an airtight container until serving to maintain crunch. Do not dress greens too early to prevent wilting. For a dairy-free version, swap feta for vegan alternatives. For a nut-free version, use sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition

Keywords: winter salad, pomegranate salad, feta salad, toasted pecans, healthy salad, quick dinner, gluten-free, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/crispy-pomegranate-winter-salad-with-feta-and-pecans/