Pomegranate Vinaigrette – Food Faith Fitness

Vibrant, sweet and tangy, Pomegranate Vinaigrette adds color and flavor to your favorite salads.

Pomegranates hold a special place in my heart. I love the deep shades of red on the fruits’ husks, the jewel-like look of the tiny seeds, and the ruby juice that pours out of them. Pomegranates bring color and beauty to any dish they’re paired with. The juice is a delicious liquid, great in dressings like this vinaigrette and cocktails, and the seeds are a crunchy topping for salads, dips, roasted meats, veggies, and more. The most beautiful cheese board I’ve made to date featured a split-open pomegranate, seeds spilling out, surrounded by honey, toasted almonds, and a selection of nutty cheeses. For a divine centerpiece, all you have to do is slice a pomegranate open, remove some of the pith, and assemble some sides around it. So easy!

And easy brings me back to this lovely sweet-and-tangy vinaigrette: Not only does it come together in no time, using just a single mason jar for just about no cleanup, it can be used in a variety of ways. Drizzle it over chicken, use it as a marinade, pour it over your favorite cooked grain, or try it on any salad – arugula and baby spinach are particularly tasty with it. And should you desire more colorful vinaigrette recipes, I’m your girl! I make at least three a week due to the volume of salads I eat. My simple Orange Vinaigrette is also colorful and oh-so zesty.

Is Pomegranate Vinaigrette Healthy?

Made with whole and nutrient-dense ingredients, this vinaigrette is dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. And if you use agave nectar in place of honey it’s vegan friendly. It’s also a really great dressing for adding flavor without a lot of calories thanks to its punchy ingredients. What’s more, pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants like vitamin C; olive oil is considered a healthy fat; and honey has anti-inflammatory properties.

What are Pomegranates, and how do you use them?

Not familiar with pomegranates? These iconic fall fruits make their appearance at local markets usually just once a year, typically September through November. Pomegranates feature a thick red skin which, while not edible itself, holds together hundreds of juicy seeds that you CAN eat. Yes, hundreds! And not only is the juice from these seeds incredibly sweet and tasty, but it’s actually kinda fun to peel the fruit and pith to uncover the beautiful tightly packed seeds. Keep an eye out for these lovely red fruits, they’re really a treat!

The pomegranate juice in this recipe (and other recipes) steals the show. Not only does it stain foods around it a beautiful deep red, the juice brings sweetness and tang that elevates almost any dish. In this recipe, for instance, it brings a fresh spin to a fairly classic vinaigrette, elevating it with flavor and a bright color that’s just a little bit unexpected. And don’t forget using the seeds whole to garnish your salads or other dishes – they’ll add crunch, flavor and visual appeal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Mix

Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake.

Store

Refrigerate, and shake well before each use.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

Serving Suggestions

Use this beautiful pomegranate vinaigrette as a dressing for your favorite salads. It pairs exceptionally well with ingredients like pear and Gorgonzola cheese. It also tastes great with salty, tangy feta cheese – try drizzling it over a tomato, feta and cucumber salad. Or bring it to a veggie-quinoa bowl, especially one piled high with sweet potato – the colors will be a hit!

Craving more vinaigrettes for your kitchen lineup? There are just so many! This Homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette is not only a stunning shade of pink, but also naturally paleo and can be vegan-friendly if made with agave. Then there is this Mustard Vinaigrette made with five simple ingredients and comes together in five minutes.