Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad

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Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad is a true celebration of color and flavor. This easy-to-make salad combines finely chopped red cabbage with juicy pomegranate arils, crisp cucumbers, and a zesty dressing. They all come together for a refreshing dish that bursts with Middle Eastern flavors.

red cabbage pomegranate salad served in a wooden bowl with a small bowl of pomegranate arils in the background


 

Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner, meal-prepping for the week, or craving a filling salad, this recipe has you covered. It’s versatile, beautiful, and packed with flavor in every bite. Other salad recipes that you’ll love include Tahini Salad, Middle Eastern Chopped Salad, Cabbage Salad, another Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.

Table of Contents

Recipe Highlights: Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad

Cuisine: Inspired by Middle Eastern flavors.

Flavor Profile: A mix of tangy, sweet, and earthy flavors with a hint of creaminess from feta.

Skill Level: Beginner-friendly

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: It’s quick to assemble, uses fresh ingredients, and offers endless possibilities for customization.

What is a Spoon Salad?

If you’ve never heard of a spoon salad, it’s exactly as it sounds: a salad you can easily enjoy with a spoon. These finely chopped salads are always satisfying and really hit the spot.

red cabbage pomegranate salad served in a wooden bowl with wooden serving spoons to its right and a small bowl of pomegranate arils to its back left

Every bite captures all the flavors and textures—crunchy, juicy, and creamy—for a perfectly balanced experience.

This Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad is a great example. Finely chopped ingredients ensure that you get a little bit of every yummy ingredient in every bite.

Ingredients

red cabbage pomegranate salad ingredients including pomegranate arils, red cabbage, bell pepper, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, and cucumbers

Salad:

  • Red cabbage: The base of the salad, offering crunch and a slightly peppery flavor.
  • Pomegranate arils: Adds sweetness and a juicy burst in every bite.
  • Parsley: Brightens the dish with its fresh, herbaceous flavor.
  • Persian cucumbers: Delivers crispness and a mild, refreshing taste.
  • Green onions: Adds a mild oniony flavor without overpowering the dish.
  • Orange bell pepper: Sweet and crunchy, bringing color and depth.
  • Walnuts: Adds a nutty flavor and a delightful crunch.
  • Feta cheese: Creamy and slightly tangy, balancing the flavors.

Dressing:

  • Olive oil: The base of the dressing, adds richness.
  • Pomegranate molasses: Tangy, sweet, and slightly syrupy, giving the salad its signature flavor.
  • Lemon juice: Adds acidity and brightness.
  • Garlic powder: Subtly complements the tangy dressing with a hint of warmth.

Ingredient Spotlight- Pomegranate

Pomegranate is the star of this salad. Its jewel-like seeds (arils) bring a unique combination of sweetness and tartness, complementing the other ingredients perfectly. Their juicy texture pairs beautifully with the crunch of red cabbage and walnuts.

Tips for Working with Pomegranates:

  • How to Cut: Score the pomegranate’s skin around the middle and gently break it apart to avoid breaking the seeds. Follow my step-by-step instructions here.
  • How to Store: Keep the whole fruit in the fridge for up to two months or store the arils in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own pomegranate molasses using my recipe.

How to Make Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad

Step 1: Chop the Ingredients

Finely chop the red cabbage, parsley, cucumbers, green onions, bell pepper and walnuts. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

add chopped ingredients and pomegranate arils to a bowl
add chopped walnuts to the bowl of chopped veggies and pomegranate arils

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

In a small jar, combine olive oil, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder. Now, shake well to emulsify.

add salt to pomegranate salad dressing
add pomegranate molasses to pomegranate salad dressing
shake the ingredients for dressing well to combine

Step 3: Mix It All Together

Pour the dressing over the chopped ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

pour dressing for red cabbage pomegranate salad over ingredients in bowl
mix the red cabbage pomegranate salad gently until well combined with dressing

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches and Serve

Sprinkle crumbled feta over the top, and finish with more pomegranate arils and green onions if desired.

sprinkle crumbled feta on red cabbage pomegranate salad
serve and enjoy red cabbage pomegranate feta salad

Recipe Tips

  • Finely Chop the Cabbage: The finer the chop, the better the texture.
  • Toast the Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts enhances their nutty flavor and adds a slight crunch.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh parsley and juicy pomegranate arils make all the difference.

Variations and Substitutes

  • Add a handful of fresh dill for an added herby freshness along with the parsley or as a substitute for it.
  • Swap Persian cucumbers with an English cucumber.
  • Use yellow or red bell peppers for a different pop of color.
  • Replace walnuts with pecans, cashews or almonds.
  • Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese for a creamier flavor.
red cabbage pomegranate salad served in a wooden bowl

Serving Suggestions

Serve this vibrant salad as s colorful side dish for roasted chicken, rack of lamb or leg of lamb.

This salad also pairs beautifully with Middle Eastern dishes like Middle Eastern chicken and rice, shish tawook, or grilled kofta kebab.

red cabbage pomegranate salad served in a wooden bowl with wooden serving spoons to its right and a small bowl of pomegranate arils to its back left

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best texture, keep the dressing separate and toss right before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing in advance. Combine them just before serving for maximum freshness.

What can I use instead of pomegranate molasses?

Balsamic glaze or a mix of honey and lemon juice works as a substitute, though the flavor will differ.

Can I make this salad vegan?

Absolutely! Simply omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.

Is red cabbage the same as purple cabbage?

Yes, red cabbage and purple cabbage are the same. The terms are used interchangeably.

Other Great Salads to Try

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

red cabbage pomegranate salad served in a wooden bowl with a small bowl of pomegranate arils in the background
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Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad

By Shadi HasanzadeNemati
A colorful salad that combines the crunch of red cabbage and walnuts with the sweetness of pomegranate seeds and an array of veggies for a delicious and filling salad.
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients 

Salad

  • 4 cups Red cabbage , finely chopped
  • 1 cup Pomegranate arils
  • 1 cup Parsley, chopped
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
  • 6 Green onions, chopped
  • 1 Bell pepper (orange), chopped
  • 2/3 cup Walnuts, chopped
  • ½ cup Crumbled feta

Dressing

  • 4 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Pomegranate molasses
  • 1 Lemon, juiced
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Finely chop the red cabbage, parsley, cucumbers, green onions, and bell pepper and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  • Chopped and add the walnuts.
  • In a small jar, combine olive oil, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder. Shake well to emulsify.
  • Pour the dressing over the chopped ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  • Sprinkle crumbled feta over the top, and give it one final mix before serving.

Video

Notes

Finely Chop the Cabbage: The finer the chop, the better the texture.
Toast the Walnuts: This is optional. Toasting the walnuts enhances their nutty flavor and adds a slight crunch.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh parsley and juicy pomegranate arils make all the difference.
Serve Fresh: To avoid sogginess, add the dressing to the salad right before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 273mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1277IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Shadi HasanzadeNemati

I'm here to show you how to make delicious Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food at home. My easy to follow recipes will bring exciting new flavors to your table!

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