Apple, Blue Cheese and Pomegranate Salad

Featuring the classic apple and blue cheese salad combo, this tasty version is perfect when you are entertaining or need to bring "the salad" to a fall or winter get-together. It's very easy to make and you will be sure to impress!

You guys, this is one of my favorite "not-your-everyday-impress-your-guests" salad. Granted, anything with blue cheese will have my vote, but still!

I also love it because it's a show stopper and you can finally be happy when someone asks you to bring "a salad" to this potluck you're going to. Everyone – except blue cheese haters – will rave about it!

This salad is:

• sweet and tangy
• crunchy and soft
• an explosion of flavors
• perfect to impress (without slaving in the kitchen)

How to make this easy apple and blue cheese salad with pomegranate

This salad tastes and looks fancy, but as you'll see, it's easy to put together.

Step 1 – Toast the walnuts in a pan and let them cool.

We want to toast the nuts because it brings out their flavor and we want to make sure they don't get overpowered by the other ingredients.

I've never seen toasted walnuts in stores, but if you do find them, then you can skip this step.

Step 2 – Cut the apple and prepare the rest of the ingredients (minus the dressing). De-seed the pomegranate if you haven't bought pomegranate arils ready-to-eat.

Add all salad ingredients except blue cheese in a large salad bowl.

Steps 3 & 4 – Prepare the dressing with:

• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Pomegranate Molasses (see notes below)

It might taste a bit too sweet if you try the dressing, but don't worry, once tossed with the other ingredients it compliments the salad perfectly.

Mix the dressing with the salad, then add the blue cheese and toss again delicately. We don't add the blue cheese straight away so it doesn't get squished and makes a beautiful salad.

Tips and tricks to make this apple and blue cheese salad the best ever!

• If you're making it ahead, keep the dressing separate until you serve it and drizzle the apple slices with lemon juice so they don't brown.
• Fresh pomegranate not in season? Use dried cherries or dried cranberries, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, drained and roughly chopped.
• Do you really have to use pomegranate molasses? Short answer: you don't, but it won't be the same! Pomegranate molasses is a big part of the dressing and the taste of the salad BUT it would work well with a simple vinaigrette (same ingredients except the molasses). The taste would be different, but good.

What is pomegranate molasses and where can I find it?

Pomegranate molasses is simply pomegranate juice that's been reduced down to a thick syrup. It can be made with or without sugar, and it has a deep, tangy taste. It's a staple in Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Pomegranate molasses might be available in the ethnic or international aisle of your supermarket. You can also find it in Middle Eastern stores (it's a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine) or maybe even asian stores because they often carry "exotic" products.

Amazon carries a few different brands. Be careful to buy actual molasses though and not pomegranate sauce. This product seems to be the real deal and doesn't have added sugar.

You can also easily make your own pomegranate molasses with pomegranate juice! Here is a good recipe.

Beside this recipe, here are a few more ways you can use this opened bottle:

• Stir a few teaspoons in dressings
• Use it as a glaze on salmon and meat
• Drizzle over roasted veggies and rice

If you tried this salad, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

5 from 4 votes

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Apple, Blue Cheese & Pomegranate Salad

Featuring the classic apple and blue cheese combo, this tasty salad is perfect when you are entertaining or need to bring "the salad" to a fall and winter get-together. It's very easy to make and you will be sure to impress!

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword #applesalad, #dinnerparty, #entertainingrecipe, #saladrecipe, party

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 398 kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasse see notes
• ½ tablespoon honey
• ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Salad

• ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
• 4 cups mixed greens
• 1 red apple thinly sliced – I like to keep the skin for the color
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• ½ cup blue cheese crumbled

Instructions

1. Toast the walnuts. Place walnuts in a small pan over medium heat. Leave them undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to toast them then shake the pan to toast the other side for another minute or 2.

   The exact timing will depend on your stove. Keep a close eye on them because they will go from toasted to burnt in just a few seconds.  

   Set aside to cool.

2. Prepare the dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk or a spoon. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl or serving plate, add mixed greens, sliced apples, pomegranate and walnuts. Pour dressing and toss to combine. Sprinkle with blue cheese and toss delicately to avoid it to be squished (you can also sprinkle directly on the plates).

Recipe Notes

Make ahead tips

• Drizzle the sliced apples with lemon juice so they don't brown
• Keep the dressing separate and only add when serving.

Substitutions

You can use:

• Pears instead of apples 
• Pecans instead of walnuts
• Any kind of blue veined cheese (gorgonzola, roquefort, stilton...)
• Dried cranberries or dried cherries if pomegranates are not in season. Soak them in hot water for 5 minutes to plump them up. 

Pomegranate Molasses

Do you really have to use pomegranate molasses? Short answer: you don’t, but it won't be the same!

Pomegranate molasses is a big part of the dressing and the taste of the salad BUT it would work well with a simple vinaigrette (same ingredients except the molasses). The taste would be different, but good.

Where to buy:

Pomegranate molasses might be available in the ethnic or international aisle of your supermarket. You can also find it in Middle Eastern stores (it's a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine) or maybe even asian stores because they often carry "exotic" products. 

Amazon carries a few different brands. Be careful to buy actual molasses though and not pomegranate sauce. This product seems to be the real deal and doesn't have added sugar. 

You can also easily make your own pomegranate molasses with pomegranate juice! Here is a good recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Apple, Blue Cheese & Pomegranate Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 /4th)

Calories 398 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Fat 32g49%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 417mg18%

Potassium 273mg8%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 610IU12%

Vitamin C 13.4mg16%

Calcium 111mg11%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More blue cheese & pomegranate recipes you'll love:

• Skinny Blue Cheese Artichoke Dip
• Skinny Cauliflower and Blue Cheese Soup
• Baked Chicken Wings With Pomegranate Glaze
• Quinoa Salad With Spinach And Pomegranate 
• Warm Quinoa, Sweet Potato And Kale Salad

UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published on January 22, 2014 and republished in March 2019 with an updated recipe, new photos and more tips.