Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Pomegranate vinaigrette is a sweet, tangy, versatile dressing that brings a burst of fresh, fruity flavor to salads, grain bowls, and more. Made with pomegranate juice, honey, and a hint of ginger, this vinaigrette is perfect for fall and winter but can add a vibrant twist to dishes year-round.
Erica’s Notes
I know salads are traditionally more of a summer thing, but it’s November and I’m going hard on winter salads.
Last week I shared this cabbage crunch salad which, to me, has fall and winter vibes thanks to hearty cabbage, carrots and bell peppers. This week I was craving more of a traditional green salad but loaded with all of the best fall and winter produce. Think: caramelized delicata squash, crisp apple and juicy pomegranate. I have love for all salads but this combo has me in a particular chokehold that I just can’t break.
And what makes a great salad? The dressing, DUH. It is so easy to make your own salad dressings and most only require a handful of ingredients. I usually make a classic balsamic vinaigrette for a salad like this one, but my huge jug of POM juice from Costco was calling my name. So, we’re making a festive pomegranate vinaigrette!
Why I adore this homemade pomegranate vinaigrette
- It’s perfectly sweet with rich pomegranate flavor.
- You can whisk it up in minutes and chances are you already have many of the simple ingredients.
- It’s versatile- try it on classic green salads, holiday salads, grain bowls, or drizzled over fresh fruit (omit the pepper and mustard for this variation).
- It’s a homemade dressing that adds both flavor and nutrition to whatever you’re serving it on. Pomegranates are a veritable gold mine of antioxidants and extra virgin olive oil is packed with heart-healthy fats that will help you absorb the nutrients in fresh vegetables and fruits. So the combo of both in this dressing is a nutrition win!
- A perfect way to enjoy pomegranate season!
If you’re in the mood for a truly delicious and gorgeous salad, this pomegranate dressing is calling your name! I already know this vinaigrette has a spot on my holiday table this year.
What You’ll Need to Make Pomegranate Salad Dressing
Honey: honey adds a little sweetness that complements the tartness of the pomegranate juice. You could also use pure maple syrup or brown sugar OR if you have it, pomegranate molasses!
Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard acts as the emulsifier for this dressing, helping bind the oil and other ingredients. You can also use whole-grain mustard.
Ground ginger: ginger provides a subtle warmth that enhances the vinaigrette’s flavor. Find it in the spice aisle of the grocery store. You could also use ginger paste or finely grated fresh ginger.
Salt and pepper: I choose kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to lift the overall flavor of this easy dressing.
Red wine vinegar: red wine vinegar is a mild vinegar that adds a complementary tang to the sweetness of this dressing, without overpowering everything. Find red wine vinegar in the oil and vinegar aisle at your local grocery store.
Pomegranate juice: the star of the show! Look for 100% unsweetened pomegranate juice for the best flavor. I love getting POM juice at Costco, because it’s the best price.
Olive oil: opt for a great quality extra virgin olive oil as it is the base that brings everything together, adding richness and body. A neutral oil like avocado oil will also work.
Pomegranate arils: optional, but for visual appeal you can add a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate arils (some people call them pomegranate seeds) to whatever you’re serving this dressing on!
How to Make Pomegranate Vinaigrette
In a mason jar, small bowl or salad shaker, add honey, Dijon mustard, ground ginger, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar, and pomegranate juice. Give it a good shake or whisk vigorously until combined.
Pour in the olive oil and shake or whisk again until the dressing is fully emulsified.
Sample the dressing and adjust as desired. Add a pinch of salt for flavor, a splash of vinegar for tang, a drizzle of honey for sweetness, or a bit more ginger for warmth.
Serve on leafy green salads, grain salads or fresh fruit!
Variation Ideas
- Citrusy twist: Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice or zest for a bright citrus flavor.
- Herb-infused: Mix in finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or rosemary to enhance the vinaigrette’s complexity.
- Use pomegranate molasses instead of honey for even more pom flavor.
FAQs
You cannot go wrong with any combo of the following:
Leafy greens (kale, baby spinach, arugula, baby greens) + some type of cheese (goat cheese, feta cheese, burrata) + some type of nut (pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds) + some type of fruit (apple slices, oranges, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries).
Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The olive oil may get a little hard in the fridge, simply let it come to room temperature and shake vigorously to re-emulsify.
Yes! Apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar will work well.
Absolutely! I decided to use honey in my recipe simply because pomegranate molasses is not a super common ingredient people have on hand BUT if you have it, you get double the pomegranate flavor!
I mean, that’s a lot more work but you do you boo! Blend up fresh pomegranate arils and pass through a fine mesh sieve to extract the pomegranate juice.
Excuse me while I grab a large bowl and douse my salad with tangy, sweet flavor 🤤
If You Love This Tangy Vinaigrette, You’ll Love These Other Homemade Dressings
If you try and like this recipe please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating down below! If you love more lifestyle, behind the scenes and ‘eating in real life’ type of content come find me over on Instagram, @itsaflavorfullife, I love connecting with you all there!
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Pomegranate Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: scant 1 cup (7 or 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Dressings
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fruity and full of flavor, this luscious pomegranate vinaigrette is a nutritious and delicious addition to any salad.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Add honey, mustard, ginger, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar and pomegranate juice to a mason jar or salad shaker and whisk or shake vigorously to combine. Add the olive oil and whisk or shake again until the dressing is emulsified and cohesive.
- Taste and season to your preference with another pinch of salt for overall flavor, splash of vinegar for more tang, squeeze of honey for more sweetness or pinch of ginger for warming ginger flavor. Worth noting, I do think the dressing is perfect as written but everyone has different tastes!
- Drizzle on salad greens, kale salad, grain bowls or leave out the black pepper and mustard and serve on fresh fruit salad!
Notes
Separation is normal. Just give it a good shake to re-emulsify.
Store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Refer to above blog post for ingredient information, step-by-step photos and answers to frequently asked questions!
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 4.6 g
- Sodium: 163.2 mg
- Fat: 9.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.8 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
