Spinach Pomegranate Salad

5 from 1 vote

Spinach Pomegranate Salad is a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving salad—and it ages wonderfully into a perfect Christmas salad. It’s the perfect mix of salty and sweet, and guaranteed to bring some festive cheer whenever you serve it.

Prep Time5

Assembly Time2

Total Time7

Course: Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas salad, easter salad, holiday salad, Spinach Pomegranate Salad, thanksgiving salad

Servings:

Calories: 279kcal

Author: Lisa Childs

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Salad

5 oz fresh baby spinach half of an average-sized 10oz bag
5 slices bacon cooked crisp and chopped
1/2 cup fresh pomegranate arils
1/4 cup red onion diced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup sugared pecans recipe below
Balsamic glaze for serving

Sugared Pecans

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar divided
1 cup pecans whole and/or chopped in pieces

Instructions

On a serving tray or bowl, arrange the spinach.
Top with crumbled bacon, pomegranates arils, red onion, feta cheese, and sugared pecans (recipe below).
Drizzle balsamic glaze to taste right before serving.

Pecans

Place a medium frying pan or skillet on the stove over medium heat.
Sprinkle the sugar and pecans evenly in the pan.
Leave the sugar and pecans without stirring until the sugar starts to melt. If it ever starts to look like it is burning, turn the heat down to medium low.
Once the sugar starts to melt, use a heat-proof silicone spatula (I only use these) and mix the sugar into the pecans. It may seem lumpy at first, which is ok. Stir constantly and the sugar will melt evenly over the pecans. This takes about 10 minutes.
If the sugar gets too clumpy and isn't melting, increase the heat slightly or add 2 tablespoons of water (careful! It may spit a little and hot sugar is extremely painful!)
When the pecans are coated, remove from the heat and spread onto a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Sprinkle the hot nuts with about a tablespoon of additional sugar.
If you prefer, you can also add a shake of cinnamon to the sugar before melting.

Nutrition