Imagine a vibrant, refreshing salad that captures the essence of winter's most delicious fruits, dancing with sweet and tangy flavors that will make your taste buds sing! This Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Citrus Dressing is not just a recipe—it's a culinary experience that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dish that will impress your family and guests alike. Packed with jewel-like pomegranate seeds, crisp apples, juicy pears, and bright mandarin oranges, this salad is a celebration of seasonal produce that will brighten even the coldest winter day.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 2 cups diced apples
- 2 cups diced pears
- 1 cup mandarin oranges
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Rinse the pomegranate seeds under cold water and drain them well. If you haven't already, carefully remove the seeds from the pomegranate. You can do this by cutting the pomegranate in half and gently tapping the back with a wooden spoon to release the seeds.
- Next, wash the apples and pears thoroughly. Core and dice them into bite-sized pieces. You can choose to leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition, or peel them if you prefer.
- Open the can or package of mandarin oranges and drain the juice. If using fresh mandarin oranges, peel and segment them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared pomegranate seeds, diced apples, diced pears, and mandarin oranges. Gently toss the fruits together to mix them evenly without bruising them.
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the honey citrus dressing. Combine the honey, orange juice, and lemon juice. Whisk together until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Pour the honey citrus dressing over the fruit salad. Gently toss the salad again to ensure all the fruits are coated with the dressing.
- Let the fruit salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This can be served immediately, or you can refrigerate it for up to an hour before serving if you prefer it chilled.
- Serve the winter fruit salad in individual bowls or a large serving dish. Enjoy your refreshing and vibrant winter fruit salad!
Tips
- Seed Selection: Choose ripe, firm fruits for the best texture and flavor. Look for pomegranates with a deep, rich color and apples and pears that are free from bruises.
- Pomegranate Hack: To easily remove pomegranate seeds, cut the fruit in half and tap the back with a wooden spoon over a bowl—the seeds will fall right out!
- Dressing Technique: Whisk the honey citrus dressing thoroughly to ensure the honey is completely dissolved, creating a smooth and well-integrated sauce.
- Chill Factor: For an extra refreshing experience, refrigerate the salad for 30-60 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and intensify.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad can be prepared up to a few hours in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
- Serving Suggestion: For an elegant touch, serve in clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful colors of the fruits.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
