Citrus Pomegranate Feta Salad (Printable)
Juicy citrus, pomegranate arils, creamy avocado, and feta on a bed of arugula with a honey-lemon dressing.
# Ingredient List:
→ Citrus Fruits
01 - 2 large oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
02 - 2 medium pink grapefruits, peeled and sliced into rounds
03 - 1 small blood orange, peeled and sliced into rounds (optional)
→ Vegetables & Fruit
04 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
05 - 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
06 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 2 cups baby arugula or mixed salad greens
→ Dairy
08 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Dressing
09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
# Steps:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well emulsified. Set aside.
02 - Arrange the orange, grapefruit, and blood orange slices in an overlapping pattern on a large serving platter or shallow bowl. Scatter the baby arugula and thinly sliced red onion over the citrus layer.
03 - Place the sliced avocado over the greens and sprinkle the pomegranate arils evenly across the platter.
04 - Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the entire salad, ensuring all components are lightly coated.
05 - Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad. Garnish with torn fresh mint leaves if desired.
06 - Serve immediately to ensure peak freshness and optimal texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast of salty feta against sweet citrus is the kind of flavor trick that makes guests ask what your secret is.
- Zero cooking means you can throw this together while catching up with someone at the kitchen counter, no stress involved.
02 -
- Slice the citrus right before serving because exposure to air dulls both the vibrant color and the fresh flavor within minutes.
- The dressing will separate if it sits too long, so give it one final whisk right before pouring and do not dress the salad more than ten minutes ahead of eating.
03 -
- Cut away all the white pith from the citrus before slicing because bitterness lives in those membranes and will throw off the entire balance of the dish.
- Let the avocado sit uncut until the absolute last moment so it maintains its clean green color rather than browning into something unappetizing.