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This Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts and Balsamic Fig Vinaigrette is my go-to “house” salad. I make it on repeat all winter long. Baby arugula, mixed greens, juicy pomegranates, sweet and spicy maple roasted walnuts, and plenty of crumbled goat cheese. All tossed together with a delicious balsamic fig vinaigrette for a salad that’s simple to put together, healthy, and pairs perfectly with just about any meal. You’ll never tire of this beautiful winter salad.
This post is sponsored by POM Wonderful.
I’m not sure why winter gets such a bad rap when it comes to produce. Pomegranates alone are reason enough to LOVE the fall and winter produce seasons. I mean, right?
Yes, yes, correct.
Clearly, I am overly excited about this salad. It has been my go-to winter salad for over four years, and I make it ALL. THE. TIME!
This is also my staple Christmas Salad. I usually end up making it for both Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner. It’s just so simple to throw together, plus it pairs well with everything and is so delicious.
Also? This salad is truly a combination of my favorite foods…greens, pomegranate arils, roasted walnuts, and goat cheese.
Here is how I make my simple winter salad.
Start with the walnuts and toss them together with maple syrup, cinnamon, and cayenne. These are my healthier take on candied walnuts, and they’re every bit as addicting as they sound. Perfectly sweet, hinted with cinnamon, and just a touch spicy too. Finish these off with flaky sea salt to seal the deal.
While the walnuts are baking in the oven, toss together the salad base. I like to use a blend of baby arugula and mixed winter greens…usually baby kale and baby spinach. Next add in plenty of pomegranate arils. The pomegranate arils are the heart of the salad, so be generous. To make things incredibly easy, I love using POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils. They come already deseeded in a convenient package of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils. The lack of preparation needed makes the enjoyment of these pomegranates that much better.
Plus, adding the POM POMS arils to my salad adds a ruby red pop of color and a sweet burst of flavor – which you all know I LOVE.
Once you’ve added the pomegranates, crumble over some creamy goat cheese and the base of your salad will be complete.
The vinaigrette…
This is my favorite, and only has three simple ingredients, extra virgin oil, balsamic vinegar, and fig preserves.
It’s the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet. I love tossing my simple winter salad with this vinaigrette for the perfect finish. It makes every bite that much more delicious.
As said, I’ve been making this salad for years, but yet I still look forward to it every single December. And, it’s my most requested salad. Even my brothers enjoy this one. When the brothers enjoy something, especially a green something, you know it’s got to be a VERY GOOD recipe.
So with that, I’m hoping you all give this delicious winter salad a try.
My suggestion? Include this in your holiday menu. It’s so easy to toss together, and yes, it’s loved by everyone! Enjoy. Enjoy!
PS. looking for something similar-ish winter salad but with beets? Try this winter beet and pomegranate salad with maple candied pecans and balsamic citrus dressing.
If you make this winter salad with maple candied walnuts, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 589 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper
- flaky sea salt
- 6 cups mixed greens, I use baby kale and spinach
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 cups POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils
- 1 blood or cara cara orange, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Balsamic Fig Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the walnuts with the maple syrup, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, and salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring twice throughout cooking, until the walnuts are toasted. Remove from the oven and spread the walnuts in one layer. Sprinkle with flaky salt. 2. Add the greens to a large salad bowl. Add the POM POMS, oranges (if using), cranberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. Gently toss the salad. 3. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake to combine. Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Enjoy!
{This post is sponsored by POM Wonderful. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
Yum! This salad was so fresh and flavorful. Blood orange and pomegranate arils were new ingredients for me but wow they elevated this salad! I added on some chicken breast for long days at work for some extra protein!
Thank you so much Janelle! So happy to hear that this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This salad was perfect for our Church potluck last weekend! Everyone ate it up and just took on about it. Thank you Tieghan for ALL your wonderful recipes. .
Aw that is so amazing! Thank YOU for trying them! I hope you continue to enjoy!! xTieghan
Made it this Christmas…subbed feta for goat cheese. Also subbed apricot for fig (didn’t have fig or I would have loved to try it).
It was delicious and permanently a Christmas tradition. YOUR recipes are truly beautiful. I appreciate the aesthetics and the freshness and the great flavors! I’m working my way through your Half-baked harvest cookbook. Loved the Summer Carbonara!
I hope you love every recipe in the book, Bridget! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Woah. Made this for dinner tonight, added some chopped chicken and a side of ciabatta/olive oil. And let me just say wow soooo good. Like sooooooooo good. When I was cleaning up after, I was literally hand-scooping the yummy bits out of the serving dish when no one was looking! Highly recommend, absolutely can not wait to make this again.
Thank you so much Beth! I am so glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made this twice in two weeks for guests. Delicious, light and full of flavor. Luckily there is leftover dressing for more salads.
Thank you so much Deborah! xTieghan
Made this for Christmas dinner, and it was such a hit. Dressing was delicious, and I’m looking forward to making the walnuts to keep handy as a snack!
I am so glad this turned out so well for you Morgan! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
This salad is AMAZING! I made it for Christmas Day. I used Arugula. I was so delicious. I normally don’t like leftover salad but I enjoyed this one the next day!
Thank you Aline! So glad you loved this! xTieghan
Delicious. Made for Christmas dinner, was fantastic.
Thank you Jaeden! That is so great to hear! xTieghan
Great recipe. I ended up using just Romain and Spinach vs the above types of lettuce. And looking back on the ingredients looks like I forgot the blood oranges, which I had, Definitely will be making this again! I failed to take a picture.
I am so glad to hear that! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
had salad with christmas dinner. used pecans instead of walnuts. balsamic fig dressing is wonderful
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas! xTieghan
Thank you for this amazing salad recipe! This salad has been my family go to salad too for four years and it is the most requested. I can’t tell you how many times I get requested to make this.
Aw that is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much Betty! xTieghan
I will be shopping for ingredient so to make this Christmas Eve!
Can’t wait ? thanks!
Thank you! I hope this turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
I made this the first time last December for Christmas dinner. I am no chef! But this was SO easy and amazing it really did make me look like I could pull off an amazing dinner! Thank you! The flavors mix so so well together. It has now become our salad for Christmas dinner!
That is so amazing! I am so glad this turned out so well for you Nancy! xTieghan
Love this salad. We make the walnuts just to eat sometimes too. They are delicious. The goat cheese and poms and crunch of the nuts is so satisfying. The dressing is light. Salads are a constant meal or side at almost if not every meal. My young kiddos will eat this no problem. This one is a winner and we make it frequently. Realized I never reviewed it on your site as I am planning thanksgiving. This will be on the table along with the hassle back butternut squash! Thank you Tieghan!
Hi Amanda! That is so amazing to hear! Thank you for leaving a comment and trying this! xTieghan
Went to a girl party last week, and someone brought this. Oh how yummy! One of the best salads I’ve ever had!
Ah that is so amazing! I am so glad you loved this Donna! xTieghan