This Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad is so easy to make yet so flavorful. Made with fresh juicy apples and pomegranate arils, crunchy walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and crumbly goat cheese. All tossed in a tangy and sweet balsamic-maple dressing.
Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad
If you are looking for a light, easy to make side dish for your holiday meal or any dinner party, this is it. This Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad is so flavorful and the perfect compliment to just about any dish or meal. Made with fresh juicy apples and pomegranate arils, crunchy walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and crumbly goat cheese. All tossed in a tangy and sweet balsamic-maple dressing. Makes for a beautiful and elegant dish to display on your table. This is my go-to salad for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners; and just about any dinner party during this time of year.
Ingredients needed to make Crisp Winter Salad:
- Mixed Greens– Any kind of mixed greens will work.
- Red Apples– Any kind of red apples can be used. I specially like using Fuji for this recipe.
- Pomegranate Arils– These add some crunch and juiciness to the salad.
- Raw Walnut Pieces– If you have whole raw walnuts just chop them into smaller pieces.
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds– You can use roasted ones if you prefer, just make sure they are not salted.
- Goat Cheese– Crumbled goat cheese is what we use.
- For Dressing– Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, maple syrup, dijon mustard, pink sea salt, and black pepper.
Equipment needed to make Crisp Winter Salad:
- Large salad serving bowl or platter– To prep and serve salad in.
- Small mixing bowl or mason jar– For prepping salad dressing in.
- Whisk– To whisk dressing until well combined.
- Tongs– For tossing and serving salad.
How to make Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad:
- Step 1– In a large salad bowl or platter, spread out mixed greens. Core and thinly slice apples. Layer apple slices over greens on one side. Layer pomegranate arils or seeds next to apple slices.
- Step 2– Continue layering the rest of the ingredients over greens and next to each other. Continue with walnut pieces, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese.
- Step 3– In a small mixing bowl or mason jar, combine ingredients for dressing; extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, maple syrup, dijon mustard, pink sea salt and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Step 4– Once you are ready to serve, drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss. Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Serve salad on a large platter instead of a salad bowl– If serving this salad for a large crowd or dinner party, serve salad in a platter with ingredients layered instead of mixed together. This makes it easier for people to serve themselves and grab enough of each ingredient. Also, serve dressing on the side so each individual can dress their own salad, preventing it from getting soggy as it sits.
- Don’t add dressing until ready to serve– Piggy backing on the last tip, toss salad with dressing once you are ready to serve it so that it doesn’t get soggy.
- Drizzle fresh lemon juice over apple slices– The citrus from lemon juice will prevent the sliced apples from browning. Even after several hours.
- Use any kind of apples or even pears– I love using fuji apples for this recipe. You can use any kind of preferred red apple. Pears are also a great substitute. You can even use a combination of red apples and pears.
- Substitute for goat cheese– Feta makes for a great substitute. Crumbled blue cheese is also great in this recipe.
- Substitute for maple syrup– Use honey.
- Use balsamic vinegar– If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can use balsamic vinegar. The dressing just won’t be as thick as it is with balsamic glaze.
- Make it vegan– Simply omit goat cheese or use vegan goat or feta cheese.
- Substitute for walnuts– Pecans are great or almonds.
- Substitute for pumpkin seeds– Sunflower seeds are great too.
- Use toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds– It adds more flavor and texture to the salad. Just make sure that they are not salted.
What to serve Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad with:
This crisp winter salad makes for the perfect side dish to serve with any holiday feast or dinner party. It’s the perfect compliment to just about any hot dish. Some of our favorite dishes to serve this winter salad with are:
- Roasted Whole Chicken
- Classic Shepherd’s Pie
- Parmesan Crusted Cod
- Orange Rosemary Chicken
- Roasted Turkey
How to store Crisp Winter Salad:
If you are making this winter salad ahead, there are a few steps you can take to ensure it stays fresh for a few hours or even a couple of days. First, drizzle apple slices with fresh lemon juice. The citrus in lemon juice prevents sliced apples from browning. Next, don’t add the dressing or toss the salad. This will prevent salad from getting soggy from the dressing and juices from the fruit. Lastly, wrap salad with Saran Wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Did you like this Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad recipe? You may also like these other salad recipes:
- Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
- Pear Pomegranate Salad with Candied Pecans and Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Winter Fruit Salad
Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad
This Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad is so easy to make yet so flavorful. Made with fresh juicy apples and pomegranate arils, crunchy walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and crumbly goat cheese. All tossed in a tangy and sweet balsamic-maple dressing.
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2-3 red apples
- 1.5 cups pomegranate arils
- 1 cup raw walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 6 oz goat cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
-
In a large salad bowl or platter, spread out mixed greens. Core and thinly slice apples. Layer apple slices over greens on one side. Layer pomegranate arils or seeds next to apple slices.
-
Continue layering the rest of the ingredients over greens and next to each other. Continue with walnut pieces, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese.
-
In a small mixing bowl or mason jar, combine ingredients for dressing; extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, maple syrup, dijon mustard, pink sea salt and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
-
Once you are ready to serve, drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
-
- Serve salad on a large platter instead of a salad bowl– If serving this salad for a large crowd or dinner party, serve salad in a platter with ingredients layered instead of mixed together. This makes it easier for people to serve themselves and grab enough of each ingredient. Also, serve dressing on the side so each individual can dress their own salad, preventing it from getting soggy as it sits.
- Don’t add dressing until ready to serve– Piggy backing on the last tip, toss salad with dressing once you are ready to serve it so that it doesn’t get soggy.
- Drizzle fresh lemon juice over apple slices– The citrus from lemon juice will prevent the sliced apples from browning. Even after several hours.
- Use any kind of apples or even pears– I love using fuji apples for this recipe. You can use any kind of preferred red apple. Pears are also a great substitute. You can even use a combination of red apples and pears.
- Substitute for goat cheese– Feta makes for a great substitute. Crumbled blue cheese is also great in this recipe.
- Substitute for maple syrup– Use honey.
- Use balsamic vinegar– If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can use balsamic vinegar. The dressing just won’t be as thick as it is with balsamic glaze.
- Make it vegan– Simply omit goat cheese or use vegan goat or feta cheese.
- Substitute for walnuts– Pecans are great or almonds.
- Substitute for pumpkin seeds– Sunflower seeds are great too.
- Use toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds– It adds more flavor and texture to the salad. Just make sure that they are not salted.
