Pomegranate Spinach Salad With Apple Cider Vinaigrette

You’re going to love this quick, easy, and nutritious pomegranate spinach salad with apple cider vinaigrette.

Bid goodbye to the boring side salad with this bowl of crisp, baby spinach, juicy pear slices, sweet pomegranate seeds, and tangy goat cheese. Paired with a homemade, paleo apple cider vinaigrette, this salad is a nutritious feast of fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Nearly every afternoon, John and I enjoy one of my salad recipes as our lunchtime meal. The kids will have a smaller bowl as an appetizer or side dish along with their main dishes.

So, of course, I love coming up with creative ways to serve our greens. This salad definitely put smiles on the faces of everyone at the table.

With its vibrant colors and delicious flavors, I can’t wait to serve this pomegranate spinach salad along with my Favorite Gluten Free Thanksgiving recipes and all holiday gatherings!

Ingredients

Pomegranate seeds are a powerful superfood. They’re loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect heart and brain health. The red, jewel-like capsule (called an aril) that encloses the pomegranate seed provides vitamins B6, C, and potassium.

Not only do I love how nutritious these seeds are, but I also love how they explode with flavor in every forkful.

When choosing your pomegranate, you’ll know if it is ripe if it is heavy and the skin is firm.

To easily get to those delicious seeds, check out my How to Cut Open and Seed Your Pomegranate video, complete with step-by-step pictures!

If you prefer not cutting up a pomegranate, you can also usually find ready-to-eat seeds in the refrigerated section of the supermarket produce section.

The next lovely ingredients are the baby spinach and slices of ripe pear. I always choose organic spinach.

For the pears, you can choose either Anjou pears or Bartlett for their pretty green color. I recommend cutting the pear just before you are ready to serve so the slices don’t discolor.

After tossing the spinach, pomegranate seeds, and pears together, I crumble goat cheese on top. If you are following a paleo diet, aged cheese is usually okay. 

About goat cheese

John and I have begun following many of the principles of a paleo diet, not because some ancient people ate that way, but because we believe it is a more nutritious way to eat. However, John and I try not to eat too much cheese (sometimes that’s really hard) because of the high carb content.

When we do eat it, though, we usually eat a fairly well-aged gruyere, parmesan, or a goat cheese. Aged cheeses are supposed to have a lower lactose content than lesser aged varieties. 

Because goat’s milk is closer in comparison to human milk than that of a cow, some people with low tolerance to cow’s milk can tolerate goat’s milk. Read more about goat cheese here.

So the cheese I used is a Chèvre from the Vermont Creamery. This is an absolutely wonderful cheese. They proudly state that their goats’ milk comes from high quality, sustainable, and environmentally sound farms. It really turns this salad into something special.

How to make apple cider vinaigrette

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Finally, it’s time to make the vinaigrette! My apple cider vinaigrette is one hundred percent gluten free and one hundred percent nourishing to your body.

I use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. Raw apple cider vinegar has a host of health benefits from improving digestion to alleviating heartburn to maintaining healthy skin. Despite its acidic taste, raw apple cider vinegar alkalizes the body, balancing your pH, to help you fight off disease and inflammation.

I especially like Bragg’s because it contains the “mother” of the vinegar: strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria.

To soften the sharp taste of the apple cider vinegar, add extra virgin olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. I love the gluten free, organic Dijon mustard made by Annie’s Homegrown with its French country flavor and gourmet taste. Yum.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I use other greens instead of spinach? Yes, you can use mixed greens, arugula, or any leafy greens of your choice.

Do I need to remove the skin from the pears? It’s a personal preference. You can leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition or peel them for a smoother texture.

Can I use a different cheese if I don’t have goat cheese? Absolutely, feta, blue cheese, or even grated Parmesan work well as substitutes.

What other toppings can I add to this salad? Consider adding toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or crispy Bacon Cooked In The Oven for extra crunch and flavor.

Can I add protein to this salad to make it a complete meal? Yes, grilled chicken or shrimp are excellent protein additions.

How long will the apple cider vinaigrette keep in the fridge? The vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to one week in an airtight container.

How do I store leftover salad? Store the salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble just before eating.

With the holidays approaching, life can get stressful if you are hosting the holidays in your home or organizing festivities. And with all of the pastries and sweets, it can be difficult keeping our diets nutritious.

This tasty pomegranate spinach salad will give you that much-needed energy boost and will also help supercharge your immune system in the winter months. And won’t it look festive on your holiday table?

It’s a lovely balance of flavors from the fruity sweetness of the pomegranate seeds and pears, to the crunchy spinach, to the creamy goat cheese, to the zesty vinaigrette. Everyone will love it. And the best part is it’s all gluten free, paleo, and incredibly nutritious.

Have a happy and healthy week!

More nutritious recipes you’ll love

Gluten Free Cauliflower Flatbreads Serve warm from the skillet and piled with your favorite toppings.

How To Make Beef Bone Broth And Why It’s Good For You You can use bone broth as stock for your favorite soups or gravies (or even serve it as a refreshing broth). It’s so nutritious and easy to make.

Seasoned Cauliflower Rice With Bacon This is a delicious easy side dish that tastes just like fried rice. And it’s keto, low-carb, and whole 30 compliant too!

Gluten Free Surówka Surówka is a Polish sauerkraut, carrot and apple salad that’s nutritious and delicious.

Lemony Marinated Zucchini Salad Zucchini is delicious raw, especially when it is marinated before being added to a salad.

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5 from 5 votes

Pomegranate Spinach Salad With Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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Bid goodbye to the boring side salad with this bowl of crisp, baby spinach, juicy pear slices, sweet pomegranate seeds, and tangy goat cheese. Paired with a homemade, paleo apple cider vinaigrette, this salad is a nutritious feast of fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Course Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 70kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

For Apple Cider Vinaigrette:

• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon gluten free dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

For Pomegranate Spinach Salad:

• 8 cups baby spinach
• 1 ripe pear
• 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
• 2 ounces gluten free goat cheese

Instructions

For Apple Cider Vinaigrette:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a jar, cover and shake until well combined.
  1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon gluten free dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

For Pomegranate Spinach Salad:

• Add the spinach to your salad bowl. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds. Slice the pears just before you’re ready to serve so that they don’t discolor. Cut the pear into thin slices and toss.

  Finally, crumble the goat cheese on top of the salad and then drizzle with the vinaigrette. Serve and enjoy.
  8 cups baby spinach, 1 ripe pear, 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds, 2 ounces gluten free goat cheese

Notes

Tip: Slice the pears just before you’re ready to serve so that they don’t discolor.

Can I use other greens instead of spinach? Yes, you can use mixed greens, arugula, or any leafy greens of your choice.

Do I need to remove the skin from the pears? It's a personal preference. You can leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition or peel them for a smoother texture.

Can I use a different cheese if I don't have goat cheese? Absolutely, feta, blue cheese, or even grated Parmesan work well as substitutes.

What other toppings can I add to this salad? Consider adding toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or crispy bacon for extra crunch and flavor.

Can I add protein to this salad to make it a complete meal? Yes, grilled chicken or shrimp are excellent protein additions.

How long will the apple cider vinaigrette keep in the fridge? The vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to one week in an airtight container.

How do I store leftover salad? Store the salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble just before eating.

Get the full video to see how to cut and seed your pomegranate here.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 70kcal

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