Pomegranate Salsa a Seasonal Salsa Recipe for Winter
Pomegranate Salsa is the perfect salsa recipe to make if you are craving fresh salsa in the winter.
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Creating this Pomegranate Salsa Recipe
Homemade salsa is one of my favorite snacks. But how do you make tasty homemade salsa in the winter?
My mind was wandering the produce aisle looking for a wintery red substitute for tomatoes. And there was my aha! moment. Pomegranates.
Their rich red color seemed and excellent substitute for tomatoes.
I would create a pomegranate salsa recipe.
Have you ever though of using a pomegranate for salsa?
I usually just eat a pomegranate by removing all of the arils and placing them into a bowl.
Then I enjoy scooping them up with a spoon and eating bite after bite of juicy goodness.
Sometimes I add them to a bowl of yogurt and granola, to a salad, like this Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad, or I use the juice to make Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider.
But I have definitely never tried pomegranates in salsa before. But, I love making different, unique homemade salsas.
I don’t think salsa just has to be the traditional tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime that you might think of when chips and salsa come to mind.
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Pomegranates are a particularly attractive winter produce to me.
And I thought their sweet, juicy flavor would taste so good contrasted with the hot and spicy jalapeño taste.
Not only because the pomegranate fruit makes me forget we are in the midst of winter with it’s bright juicy arils, but also for their amazing health benefits.
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Pomegranate Salsa – a Healthy Snack!
- Juicy pomegranates are the source of many essential nutrients, such as: Vitamins C and K, fiber, folate, copper, phosphorous, and potassium.
- Powerful antioxidants; pomegranates offer anti-cancer , alzheimer prevention, and cardiovascular health benefits.
- Pomegranates in salsa may improve healthy cell survival, induce cancer cell death, and prevent tumor growth
- The pomegranate in this salsa contain Anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties.
- Pomegranates have Anti-inflammatory properties encourage radiant, youthful skin when incorporate into skin care products.
source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2005
Pomegranates are obviously the star of the show in this salsa recipe.
This winter pomegranate salsa recipe also boasts cilantro, jalapeño for a little heat (adjust it to your liking), red onion, a hint of lime, and diced cucumber.
It kind of looks a little bit like Christmas salsa with all the red and green. And it tastes even better than it looks.
Now, I know cucumbers aren’t in season, but they are a vegetable that doesn’t seem to have as degraded quality during the off season and their flavor is a great match for that of pomegranates.
If, however, you want to keep things even more true to winter, you can omit the cucumber completely or try substituting diced celery or fennel for some color contrast.
This Pomegranate Salsa is especially if you’re in the mood to change up your salsa for something more unique (or Up Your Taco Tuesday Game).
Pomegranate Salsa Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Pomegranate Salsa:
- Pomegranate Arils
- Cucumber
- Red Onion
- Jalapeno
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Tips for Making Pomegranate Salsa
- For super quick preparation, try POM Wonderful’s ready to serve POM POM Fresh Arils.
- Serve scooped and eaten with chips, on top of a plate of greens for a tasty salad, over grilled meat or fish as a relish, or tossed your favorite grain, such as quinoa, for a side dish.
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
How to Eat Pomegranate Salsa
This Pomegranate Salsa is the perfect, creative salsa to add lots of color and flavor in a variety of uses. Here are a few ideas to get you started below:
Pomegranate Salsa and Chips
Hello one of my absolute favorite healthy snack ideas! Second or third only to Easy Kale Chips or 5 Minute Guacamole.
Salsas with tortilla chips make a great snack when you need to satisfy a salty, crunchy craving. Especially when you make fresh homemade salsas using a variety of produce.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has practically filled up on chips and salsa at a restaurant before the dinner has arrived!
Pomegranate Salsa on Tacos
Make your favorite tacos and use this salsa in place of jarred grocery store salsa.
If you’re craving something lighter, substitute lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or iceberg work best) for the tortillas to create a Mexican lettuce wrap like I did in these Lettuce Wrap Carnitas.
Pomegranate Salsa on Grilled Meat
Marinade some skirt or flank steak (I love this flank steak fajita marinade recipe), slice it against the grain, and spoon salsa over top.
For chicken, I like to make this Cilantro Lime Marinade recipe for a Mexican inspired grilled chicken.
Pomegranate Salsa Salad
Add one of the grilled meat ideas from above, pepitas (green pumpkin seeds) and crunchy tortilla strips for a delicious entrée salad.
Just add greens and now you have a super interesting salad with lots of fresh flavor.
Pomegranate Side Dish
Stir a generous amount of salsa into steamed white rice or quinoa to create a colorful, easy side dish.
MORE HOMEMADE SALSA RECIPES
Looking for some other tasty salsa recipes to try in addition to this Pomegranate Salsa? Here are a few favorites:
Roasted Cranberry Salsa combines roasted fresh cranberries pair perfectly with the traditional elements of salsa – jalapeño, cilantro, onion, and lime for a spicy, fruity salsa. This is another perfect salsa to bookmark for fall and winter.
Juicy mango pairs well with grilled corn and blistered red bell peppers for a sweet and savory summertime salsa in this recipe for Mango Salsa with Grilled Corn.
For a different variation of a Mango Salsa, try this Strawberry Mango Salsa recipe. Serve it with cinnamon chips!
For a classic chips and salsa snack, try this Easy Restaurant Style Salsa; it is super quick to prepare.
This Easy Roasted Salsa Verde is a mix of roasted tomatillos, roasted poblano pepper, roasted jalapeño pepper, fresh garlic, cilantro, and shallot. Bonus: It add it to the slow cooker with chicken breasts for an easy chicken recipe OR use it as a green enchilada sauce.
Creamy Cucumber Salsa is great when you’re craving something light, creamy and cool.
I need to remember to make this Fresh Zucchini Corn Salsa this summer when zucchini and corn are abundant and inexpensive.
Have you ever made pomegranate salsa?
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Pomegranate Winter Salsa
Pomegranate Salsa is the perfect salsa recipe to make if you are craving fresh salsa in the winter.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups pomegranate arils
- 1 1/3 cup diced cucumber - seeds removed
- 1 - 3 jalapeños, seeds removed and minced
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- squeeze of half a lime
Instructions
- Combine all of the prepared ingredients in a bowl, starting with using only 1 jalapeño.
- Stir to combine.
- Test for heat preference and add additional jalapeño if desired.
- Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Choose your Heat Preference:
- 1 jalapeño = mild salsa
- 2 jalapeños = medium salsa
- 3 jalapeños = hot salsa
Tip for Dicing Cucumbers:
Cut cucumbers down the middle lengthwise. Scrape out all of the seeds and discard. Then, dice the remaining cucumber.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Disclosure: POM Wonderful has compensated for my time and provided coupons for POM POM Fresh Arils to create my recipe for Pomegranate Salsa. However, all experiences contained in this post are my honest opinion.
Be sure to follow Good Life Eats on Instagram. Tag @goodlifeeats and include the hashtag #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see what you’re cooking up in YOUR kitchen!
Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think of it by leaving a comment below.
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KarenDF says
How do I eat pom: plain from a bowl with a spoon after getting them out of the fruit, in spinach salad with chopped pecans or almonds (similar to my strawberry spinach salad) or tossed in roast veggies like broccoli with chopped nuts & a little honey. I juice or make smoothies at least 4 days a week; but, I just don’t have the heart to do that to my pom … I MUST take the seeds out by hand & eat them whole … SO yummy.
Pomegranate is likely delicious with poultry (like the tartness of cranberry sauce with turkey at Thanksgiving). We’ll see tonight. 🙂
KarenDF says
My first visit to your site … beautiful recipe! Your salsa would be heavenly on fish tacos)!!! I look forward to making it exactly as you’ve written it. However, for now, I have to make two substitutions (tons of celery & a big jar of tamed jalapeño slices (in my fridge that need to be used up) instead of cucumber & fresh jalapeño). Hmmm … I was going to try a naan flatbread recipe tonight to go with rotisserie chicken leftovers & spinach for wrapping … this salsa may be yummy with it.
Anne W. says
I eat them with greek yogurt!
Kristin says
I love it on oatmeal!
Missy M says
Straight with my 5 year old!
Marisa says
Delicious!! Everyone who ate it yesterday LOVED it!
Kristin says
I love them mixed into guacamole!
Noelle says
Wow, I’m pretty new to Pomegranates, besides drinking the juice. I am looking for new ways to use them, and I can’t wait to try this salsa recipe. It looks like a wonderful Winter treat!
Heather says
Fresh arils atop yogurt.
Christina says
Up until now, I just liked to eat them by then handful. this salsa recipe might be my new favorite way!
Jenny says
I remember a rich braise of chicken and pomegranate sauce I once had in a Persian restaurant. The waiter’s eyes were deep brown and mischievous…
Louis says
Au naturel!
Meryl says
One of my favorite fruits! I like to eat them out of hand.
aida mollenkamp says
Katie – Happy 2013! This photo is gorgeous and the salad sounds fabulous!
TK says
I love them by themselves and tossed in a salad
samW says
the only way I’ve had them is plain….
Sandy says
I have only tried the juice, never the fruit itself.
Staci A says
I love mixing them in to fruit salad with melon,kiwi, and grapes.
Howell says
I like them on salads or in oatmeal.
Amy L says
I like to dring the juice.
Rust says
I love them all by themselves.
Eugenie says
Just by itself
Alley @ Alley's Recipe Book says
I love the idea of replacing tomatoes with pomegranates! i just started juicing them with carrots and apples. but my favorite way to eat pomegranates is in salad with roasted chestnuts, feta, and spinach (perfect winter salad)!
Katherine C. says
I like to eat them by the handful! <3
Gianna says
Taking them all out, putting them in a bowl and eating them with a spoon!
Amanda says
Absolutely gorgeous Katie!! I am dying to get some POM now!
Jessica says
I love them on a salad!
Ruth Smither says
I like the arils in plain Greek yogurt. Yummy!
Amy says
For some reason I eat them with my fingers, which is kind of messy but then I have them longer than if I were scooping them up with a spoon. 🙂
Ash says
I LOVE them in my oatmeal! <3
Mary says
My whole family loves Pomengranted. I make jelly using POM juice! They are especially good on home-made scones.
Noelle says
Ooh, that sounds really good!
Linda Howard says
Our family drinks pomegranate juice every day, but we love to add the seeds to our morning cereal, also.
Laura says
I like the arils in a broccoli salad or mixed into any salad really; also like them in a yogurt parfait or just plain as a snack.
Linda F says
I like to eat them alone or mixed with cereal.
betsy ray says
i eat them in a salad sometimes i put in a smoothie i love them
Heather N. says
All by their delicious self but usually my kiddos gobble them up before I get any!
Lori H says
On salads! Green salads or grain salads.
Lillian says
mixed in with quinoa! I like to make quinoa with lemon juice/lemon zest, spinach and then once cookced add pomengranate seeds and goat cheese on top. So colorful and deliciosu…Looks like christmas 🙂
Katie says
That sounds delicious and great for lunch!
Anna says
Great recipe! Would be good for girls nite. I’m glad I tried it.
Anna says
The picture alone was enough for me to try this recipe. It’s just so colorful. This is a great recipe for a girls nite. I’m already trying to think of other ways to use the salsa.
Alison @ Ingredients Inc. says
looks amazing Katie
Laura says
I have never eaten a pomegranate….but i love love love POM juice!
ellen beck says
I love pom juice and my favorite way is actually plain!
Tabathia B says
usually in a salad
Debbie Welchert says
I have never tried them until I started feeding them to my parrot. So I tried them and loved them. So far I just eat them plain.
Janet says
I have never eaten a pomegranate before so I thank you for the recipe. I almost picked the arils up last week at Sam’s Club so maybe next week I will reconsider them for this recipe.
Have a beautiful day!
Sharon L. says
I’ve only had them juiced.
Katharine says
In a salad, mixed in greek yogurt or just plain!
Brandie says
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
Katie says
Hi Brandie – will you please share your recipe for pomegranate glazed salmon? sounds tasty!
Brandie says
I use this recipe from Bridget at the Way the Cookie Crumbles:
http://www.crumblycookie.net/2010/10/28/pomegranate-glazed-salmon/
The only changes I make to the recipe are, I sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top when its finished. You may also have to adjust the broiling times depending on the thickness of your salmon. I find the 6 minutes is never long enough for the salmon I buy.
Kathy G says
<3 the color and texture they bring to a winter salad. Can't wait to try the salsa.
Evelyn R says
In a salad or just plain
Jen W. says
I like just eating the seeds straight up.
Tanya Phillips says
I just like to pop them out and eat them plain 😀
Andrea D. says
I love to eat them by the handful. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Elena says
with greek yogurt
keshakeke says
I like to eat pomegranate on a Spinach Salad
Natalie S says
I love eating pomegranates over vanilla ice cream!
Katie says
That sounds great! I have not tried that before. Kind of balances out the indulgence of ice cream a little when paired with pomegranate!
Anne says
My favorite way to eat pomegranates is to sneak-eat the delicious little arils when I’m supposed to be putting them on a salad.
Jessie C. says
I like them in juice or with Greek yogurt
Melissa Frances says
I love them just plain…but i love the POM juice omg
yummy
thanks for an opportunity to win!
saniel says
i like them right out the packing. i snack on them in the car on the way home from the grocery store. thanks
Lora W. says
I like to eat pomegranates straight from the fruit. It reminds me of when I was little and my mom would open them for me and I would sit contentedly digging out the wonderful little nuggets.
Katie says
On a salad.
April V says
I have NEVER eaten a pomegranate before!!! (I KNOW!) I love the POM juice though!!
barbara n says
I love to put pomegranate arils on my spinach salad with goat cheese
The Ninja Baker says
Quite frankly, Katie, the pomegranate has never caught my eye until now. Upon reading your post, I feel inspired to whip up a bowl of salsa. Thank you!
Amy Tong says
My favorite way to eat pomegranates is adding them into a granola yogurt parfait. It add so much crunch and freshness. 🙂
Lana says
wow, sounds amazing. I love pomegranates in salads. But I might end up liking this way more.
The Peace Patch says
I love them on top of chocolate brandied pudding. 🙂
Dawn Klein says
We like to just eat the arils plain! Or as part of a Winter Fruit Salad http://greenthyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/winter-fruit-salad.html
We made the salad for Thanksgiving and it was delcious!
Laura F. says
I love pomegranates plain (and pretty much any other way, also). I think I might give the salsa a try!
Krissa says
This salsa recipe sounds so intriguing. I love pomegranates just on their own too!
Allison says
I love pomegranates in my winter breakfast crisp with baked pears. Yum!
MaryB says
In salads and in plain greek yogurt.
Kat says
I love to have pomegranates with my daily yogurt. This salsa looks great, going grocery shopping today and will buy everything so I can make this. Thanks for the recipe and giveaway.
Liz says
I love them plain, just as they are! I cut the pomegranate in half and then carefully tear off each section as I eat it. SO good!
sara says
I love pomegranates with chocolate cake!
Sarah L says
I love to eat pomegranate arils in fruit salad. They’re especially delicious over yogurt. My current favorite way to eat pomegranates is in a warm Brussels sprouts salad.
Katie says
We love roasted Brussels sprouts. I can only imagine how tasty they would be tossed with pomegranate!
vaishali says
As such…by spoonfuls…love poms!
Liz says
In a salad! YUM!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Beautiful! I love any excuse to break out a pomegranate in the winter. This sounds wonderful!
Trezlen says
I like to eat them plain: score and quarter the flesh and eat the arils by the mouthful.
Sarah S. says
I think that I mainly eat them by themselves. But, I started putting them in overnight oats – and it’s amazing!
Kelly says
I’m pretty boring. I love to just sit on the couch (encased in towels and an apron!) and pick the arils out one by one. It’s satisfying, and makes me appreciate each seed all the more!
Annie says
I was already intrigued by the idea of a pomegranate winter salsa. Then I saw the jalapeños and I knew this was the recipe for me. Definitely going to give it a try soon! And hopefully it’ll be by new favorite way to eat pomegranate.
PJ Marszalek says
I like to eat pomegranates on top of a salad! They are yummy and have so many health benefits. Katie, this salsa looks and sounds delish! I am going to make some very soon.