Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
A fresh salad featuring bitter greens balanced with bright citrus segments and crunchy walnuts tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs radicchio, chopped, arugula, pomegranate seeds into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups radicchio, chopped
- 2 cups arugula
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup orange segments, peeled and sliced
- 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 2 cups chopped radicchio and 2 cups arugula with 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds and 1 cup orange segments.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Drizzle the walnut vinaigrette over the salad greens and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/3 cup toasted and chopped walnuts on top for crunch and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep radicchio, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Citrus-Pomegranate Bitter Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.