Citrus Pomegranate Avocado Salad (Printer-Friendly)
Bright Mediterranean citrus salad with pomegranate, avocado, and crumbled feta drizzled with honey-lemon dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Citrus Fruits
01 - 2 large oranges
02 - 2 large grapefruits
03 - 1 blood orange, optional for color
→ Produce
04 - 1 ripe avocado
05 - 1 small red onion
06 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds
→ Cheese
07 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Salad Greens
08 - 4 cups mixed greens such as arugula, baby spinach, or mixed leaf lettuce
→ Dressing
09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, torn
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted pistachios or walnuts, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Using a sharp knife, slice off the top and bottom of each orange and grapefruit. Following the curve of the fruit, cut away the peel and white pith. Cut the citrus into thin rounds or release individual segments by slicing along the membrane walls. Set aside.
02 - Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and peel the skin. Slice the flesh into thin, even wedges and set aside.
03 - Peel the red onion and cut it into paper-thin slices using a sharp knife or mandoline.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Whisk vigorously until emulsified. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
05 - Spread the mixed greens evenly across a large serving platter, creating a lush base layer.
06 - Arrange the citrus rounds and segments over the greens. Distribute the avocado slices and red onion rings across the platter in an even, visually appealing pattern.
07 - Scatter the pomegranate seeds and crumbled feta cheese generously over the assembled salad.
08 - Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the entire platter. If desired, finish with torn fresh mint leaves and chopped toasted pistachios or walnuts. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The contrast of juicy citrus against salty crumbled feta and creamy avocado is the kind of flavor combination that makes you close your eyes.
- Zero cooking required means you can throw this together while still in your slippers on a lazy weekend morning.
- It looks like something from a magazine but takes less than twenty minutes of actual effort.
02 -
- Supreme the citrus over a bowl so you catch every drop of juice and use that liquid in your dressing for an extra layer of flavor.
- Toss the avocado slices in a squeeze of lemon juice right after cutting to slow down browning if you are prepping ahead.
03 -
- Taste your citrus before assembling and if any fruit leans too bitter, balance it with an extra half teaspoon of honey in the dressing.
- Toasting the nuts in a dry pan for two minutes doubles their flavor and makes your whole kitchen smell incredible.