Blood Orange Salad With Mint, Ricotta & Pomegranate
This blood orange salad recipe is made with arugula, mint, ricotta, pomegranate, walnuts, and a lemon vinaigrette dressing. It’s such a quick, easy, and refreshing winter citrus salad! Recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan and/or dairy-free.
Looking for a simple winter citrus side salad? This recipe is the perfect mix of seasonal ingredients, refreshing yet subtle flavours, and not-to-mention beautiful holiday colours 😉
I love this blood orange salad as a side dish to serve at any gathering. It pairs perfectly with all sorts of dishes, from seafood, meats, or veggie options. If needed, I’ve included some tips for prepping this one in advance.
As a dietitian, I’m always happy to share some unique nutrition benefits of the key ingredients below if interested. Enjoy!
Want more seasonal salad recipe inspiration? Check out my roundup of 15+ easy, healthy fall and winter salad recipes for more ideas!
Ingredients Needed
All you need to make this blood orange salad are 10 simple ingredients:
- blood oranges
- arugula
- pomegranate
- walnuts
- fresh mint
- ricotta cheese
- olive oil
- lemon
- garlic powder
- white wine vinegar
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Recipe Modifications & Ingredient Swaps
- Instead of arugula, you could try this with a base of watercress, baby kale, or a spring mix.
- For a vegan or dairy-free version, swap the ricotta with a vegan alternative! Or, omit it completely.
- You could try a different cheese here as well – goat cheese also tends to pair well with citrus fruits.
- If you’d like, you can add some sliced avocado. I totally did that when I tested the recipe, but forgot to add it when I photographed it (whoops)!
- If you prefer fresh garlic to garlic powder, you can definitely use minced garlic instead. I’d go for about 2 cloves!
Can This Salad Be Made In Advance?
This is not the best salad to make in advance or to have leftovers for – the arugula will get too soggy in the dressing and liquids from the blood oranges!
That said – you can totally prepare some of the ingredients in advance, such as:
- slicing the blood orange
- making the lemon vinaigrette dressing
- removing the pomegranate seeds from the fruit
Simply store everything in airtight containers in the fridge and throw together when you’re ready to serve the salad!
Blood Orange Nutrition Benefits
Blood oranges have a similar nutrition profile to regular navel oranges, with the exception of the pigment responsible for their deep red colour.
That vibrant colour is due to the presence of a compound called anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight cellular damage throughout our bodies.
Like other oranges, blood oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a critical role in keeping our skin healthy, while also acting as an antioxidant.
In addition to vitamin C, oranges are a good source of other micronutrients, like:
- thiamin
- folate
- potassium
Finally, whole blood oranges are also a great source of dietary fibre.
Love blood oranges? This Blood Orange Bircher Muesli Recipe is one of my favourite ways to enjoy them!
Arugula Nutrition Benefits
Arugula is an incredibly nutrient-dense food and an excellent source of many micronutrients.
A 2-cup serving of arugula (40 grams) provides over:
- 50% of your daily vitamin K needs
- 20% of your vitamin A needs
- 8% of your daily vitamin C, folate, and calcium needs
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Kale Apple Salad With Parmesan & Walnuts
- Roasted Pepper Salad With Farro & Goat Cheese
- Broccoli Kale Salad With Tahini Dressing
- Raw Zucchini Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
- Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad
Did you give this Blood Orange Salad Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: Blood Orange Salad With Mint, Ricotta & Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 4 blood oranges, peeled + sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 1/2 cup walnuts, raw
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese, crumbled
- Approx. 3 Tbsp fresh mint leaves
- Salt + pepper, to taste
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 a lemon, juice only
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or about 2 cloves minced garlic)
- 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- Salt + pepper, to taste
Instructions
- On a large serving plate, add arugula, blood orange slices, pomegranate, walnuts, ricotta and fresh mint.
- In a small jar with a lid, place all dressing ingredients. Shake vigorously until well-combined. Alternatively, you can whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Pour dressing overtop of salad and season with extra salt + pepper, as desired. Toss together and serve immediately!
Notes
- Instead of arugula, you could try this salad with a base of watercress, baby kale, or a spring mix.
- For a vegan or dairy-free version, swap the ricotta with a vegan alternative! Or, omit it completely.
- You could try a different cheese here as well – goat cheese also tends to pair well with citrus fruits.
- If you’d like, you can add some sliced avocado. I totally did that when I tested the recipe, but forgot to add it when I photographed it (whoops)!
- If you prefer fresh garlic to garlic powder, you can definitely use minced garlic instead. I’d go for about 2 cloves!
- This is not the best salad to make in advance or to have leftovers for – the arugula will get too soggy in the dressing and liquids from the blood oranges!
- That said – you can totally prepare some of the ingredients in advance, such as:
-
- slicing the blood orange
- making the lemon vinaigrette dressing
- removing the pomegranate seeds from the fruit
- Simply store everything in airtight containers in the fridge and throw together when you’re ready to serve the salad!
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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