Pomegranate and Walnut Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant winter fruit bowl with pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and citrus. Ready in 15 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fruits

01 - 1 large pomegranate, seeds only
02 - 1 large orange, peeled and segmented
03 - 1 crisp apple, cored and diced
04 - 1 ripe pear, cored and diced

→ Nuts and Seeds

05 - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
07 - 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

→ Dressing

08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped

# Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the pomegranate seeds, orange segments, diced apple, and diced pear. Add the chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and sea salt until well combined.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the fruit and nut mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle with fresh mint leaves for garnish, if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for enhanced flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can make it while thinking about something else entirely.
  • The texture contrast between juicy pomegranate arils and crunchy walnuts keeps every bite interesting.
  • It actually tastes better when you let it sit for a bit, so there's zero stress about timing.
02 -
  • Never dress this salad more than an hour before eating, or the fruit will start to break down and weep too much liquid—keep the dressing separate and combine just before serving if you're making it ahead.
  • Toasting the walnuts and seeds for just 3 minutes in a dry skillet changes everything; they taste richer, warmer, and way less raw.
03 -
  • Buy pomegranates when they feel heavy for their size and have deep color—those are fully ripe and worth the effort.
  • If fresh mint isn't available, a pinch of fresh thyme or even a grind of black pepper at the end adds complexity without changing the character.
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