Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A vibrant salad featuring caramelized roasted beets, jewel-like pomegranate seeds, and a zesty citrus dressing that elevates simple greens to restaurant-quality. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs beets, olive oil, salt 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 450 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
- 1 lb (450g) beets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups arugula
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup, toasted walnuts
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1 lb (450g) peeled and cubed beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized, stirring once halfway.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups arugula, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds. Add the roasted beets and toss gently.
- Step 4: Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing and sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted walnuts.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus 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 beets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus 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 Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus 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 Pomegranate & Roasted Beetroot Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.









