Orange Pomegranate Salad

Fresh, ripe produce is the star of the show in this easy recipe, which comes together in under 15 minutes. Our orange and pomegranate salad strikes a delicious balance between vibrant oranges and ruby red pomegranate seeds. The fruits are brought together with a drizzle of an aromatic two-ingredient dressing made with honey and floral orange blossom water.

This colorful citrus pomegranate salad is incredibly versatile. It’s a perfect side dish for everything from robust grilled chicken and pork recipes to light dishes like salmon tacos. At the same time, it’s equally at home on a grazing table full of brunch dishes or paired with easy summer appetizers on a picnic table.

The dish is visually stunning as it is, but you can play around with the type of citrus used to customize the recipe. Substitute another citrus variety—choose mandarins for a sweeter flavor or blood oranges to lean into the salad’s red hue. The simple dressing accentuates the oranges, but you could drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top to add another sweet-tart dimension.

Ingredients for Orange Pomegranate Salad

• Citrus: You can use oranges or clementines in this recipe, as both have a sweet flavor and juicy texture. Since they’re smaller, you’ll need twice as many clementines as oranges.
• Pomegranate seeds: Crunchy pomegranate seeds add little bursts of freshness with every bite, giving the salad a stunning appearance as they sit against the backdrop of citrus slices.
• Dressing: The two-ingredient dressing combines sweet honey with floral, aromatic orange flower water. You can use orange juice as a substitute, but it may slightly diminish the aroma.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the oranges

Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each orange. Stand the oranges upright on a cutting board.

With a knife, remove the orange’s peel and outer membrane.

Cut the orange crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.

Editor’s Tip: Removing the top and bottom of the orange helps with stability so the orange won’t roll around on the cutting board when you try to slice it.

Step 2: Arrange the fruit

Arrange the orange slices on a serving platter and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Step 3: Add the dressing

In a small bowl, mix the honey and orange flower water.

Drizzle it over the fruit.

Recipe Variations

• Use a different sweetener: Agave, simple syrup or a good-quality maple syrup can be used to make the dressing if you don’t have honey. These sweeteners impart distinct flavors to the recipe, adding another dimension to the citrus pomegranate salad.
• Add herbs: Rosemary can be a great addition to the dish, providing a robust, woodsy flavor that contrasts with the sweet oranges and tart pomegranate seeds.
• Include shredded coconut: Flaky coconut’s subtle sweetness adds a tropical vibe to this salad.

How to Store Orange Pomegranate Salad

Keep your prepared fruits in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and store the dressing in a separate container. They should last for up to four days.

Can you make orange pomegranate salad ahead of time?

You can prepare elements of this citrus and pomegranate ahead of time, but we don’t recommend combining the salad in advance. Dressing the salad ahead can lead to sogginess and a loss of texture. Instead, drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.

Orange Pomegranate Salad Tips

Can I use a different type of citrus in this salad?

You can make this orange pomegranate salad with any citrus fruits you enjoy eating or that are available to you. It’s important to choose ripe oranges, as this recipe uses minimal additives. Mandarins are sweeter and more aromatic, grapefruits are distinctly bitter, and blood oranges are slightly tart with berry-like notes. You don’t need to be confined to one type of citrus, either. Mix multiple fruits together to create a symphony of flavors.

What is the best way to seed a pomegranate without a mess?

Removing seeds from a pomegranate might seem messy, but it’s actually pretty easy if you have a knife and a bowl of water. Start by cutting the fruit’s crown (the top part) and quartering the pomegranate. Set the quarters in a bowl of cold water for about five minutes. The cool water helps tighten the membranes, making it easier to remove the seeds. After resting, gently push the seed clusters into the water bowl to prevent any mess.

How do I make the fruit salad dressing less sweet?

You can make fruit salad dressing less sweet by substituting agave for honey. Although they have a similar texture, agave tastes less sweet. You can also add an acid like lemon juice to the dressing to balance the sweetness.