Arugula, Cucumber, and Pomegranate Salad

This simple Arugula, Cucumber, and Pomegranate Salad with Parmesan cheese and a quick apple cider vinegar dressing is perfect for a special occasion but easy enough for any weeknight.

156 CAL 12g CARBS 11g FAT 4g PROTEIN
1 Comment

About a month ago, we went to a Rosh Hashanah dinner and I was in charge of the salad. Wanting to incorporate some of the traditional ingredients of the holiday, I wanted to make a salad with apples, pomegranates, and honey. Everyone fell in love with this simple salad.

At the time, I had to go to more than four stores to finally find a pomegranate, but now that they are in season I have been making versions of this salad weekly. It's fresh, slightly sweet, and just a bit tart. It pairs well with almost any meal. It also makes a delicious main dish, just add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.

I love adding thinly sliced fennel or apples, subbing in goat cheese for the Parmesan, and trying different nuts like pecans or pistachios. It's truly a salad you will want to make again and again.

If you are lucky enough to have some leftover arugula, try this Easy Arugula salad with pears and Arugula and Apple Salad with pecans.

What You'll Need

  • Arugula: This tasty green has a bit of a peppery flavor. For a milder pepper flavor, choose baby arugula. Feel free to swap in another green. Butter lettuce, baby spinach, massaged kale, or spring mix would all be delicious.
  • Pomegranate: This is the star of this salad with its sweet and tart flavor. Buy pomegranate arils in the refrigerated produce section or use this easy method for cutting pomegranates.
  • Cucumber: To add some crunch, sliced cucumbers are a great option. Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers are preferred since they are less bitter.
  • Almonds: Every salad needs some crunch. Make this with almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. 
  • Parmesan: This adds a salty, nutty element to the salad. Goat cheese, feta cheese,  blue cheese, and gorgonzola are all tasty as well.
  • Dressing: This salad uses a simple lemon dressing so that the ingredients can really shine. All you need is lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Think of this as a blueprint for an arugula salad. There are lots of ways to customize the salad based on what you have in the fridge or your preferences.

  • Add more veggies: Consider adding some thinly shaved carrots, fennel, red onion, or green onions.
  • Enhance the pomegranate flavor: To add even more pomegranate flavor use pomegrante juice or vinegar in the dressing.
  • Switch the cheese: This salad works with so many different types of cheese from feta to goat cheese to gorgonzola.
  • Add herbs: Arugula and herbs is a tasty pairing. Add some fresh basil, dill, cilantro, oregano, or parsley to kick up the flavor.
  • Try a different dressing: Try this salad with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, green goddess dressing, or creamy gorgonzola dressing.
  • Make it a meal: Add some roasted chickpeas, grilled chicken, baked salmon, or canned tuna to make this a meal.

What to Serve with Arugula Salad

This salad is special enough to serve with a holiday meal but also works for quick lunch or dinner side dish. Here are some ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions about making this arugula and cucumber salad.

Arugula has a mild peppery flavor and is a common salad green. If you tend to find arugula bitter, then look for baby arugula which has a milder flavor.

Most arugula comes in prewashed bags or containers. However, if you are buying fresh arugula, make sure to wash the arugula and dry it on towels or in a salad spinner.

Arugula pairs well with many fruits including pears, apples, fresh berries, melon, and mango. Dried fruit can also be used.

The Recipe
Arugula, cucumber, and pomegranate salad in a bowl with shaved Parmesan cheese.

Arugula, Cucumber, and Pomegranate Salad

156 CAL 12g CARBS 11g FAT 4g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 5 Min
TOTAL TIME: 10 Min
1 Comment
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 lemon (juice only)
  • 2.5 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 6 cups arugula
  • 1 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

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1

Make the dressing by whisking together the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

2

When ready to serve, toss together all the ingredients with the dressing.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5-2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 156
Calories from Fat 97
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g
17%
Saturated Fat 2g
9%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 3mg
1%
Sodium 67mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate 12g
4%
Dietary Fiber 3g
9%
Sugars 8g
Protein 4g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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