This simple but stunning rocket pomegranate salad with parmesan shavings takes minutes to make. Peppery rocket leaves, juicy pomegranate and salty parmesan all dressed in a simple vinaigrette make this a light salad that is packed with flavours and textures.

This rocket salad with pomegranate may sound simple, and it is to make it, but when you add juicy pomegranate seeds to peppery rocket that provide bursts of sweet-tart juice as you bite in to them, it sends this simple rocket and parmesan salad recipe to another level.
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Why we love this recipe
- Quick and easy to make.
- 6 ingredients
- It makes a delicious Christmas salad with the pomegranate seeds glistening pinky-red against the green rocket leaves.
Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Rocket – also called arugula, rucola, roquette.
- Pomegranate – this recipe uses the seeds from half a pomegranate, you can also buy ready to eat pomegranate seeds if you prefer.
- Parmesan – you can also use pecorino, or shaved hard goats cheese, or crumble over a little goats cheese or feta cheese.
- Olive oil – use a good extra virgin olive oil as it is a simple dressing and you want the flavour from the oil to stand out.
- Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice, you could substitute sherry vinegar, or for a less acidic flavour, use rice wine vinegar.
FAQ
Just sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over your salad and eat! They look particularly pretty when in a salad with something green, such as avocado, spinach, or as here with rocket.
No, you don’t have to spit on pomegranate seeds, they are perfectly safe. However if you don’t like the texture of them, you can spit them out like you would watermelon seeds.
Rocket leaves taste strong and peppery. They are therefore a delicious pairing to salty and fatty ingredients such as parmesan and olive oil.
Rocket is actually a herb, and a member of the mustard family.
My recipe tips
- To remove the seeds from a pomegranate: slice the pomegranate in half, hold one half, cut side down, in your open fingers over a bowl, then whack the pomegranate hard with a wooden spoon. Repeat until all the seeds have fallen into the bowl (it can get messy – you might want to do this over the sink!)
Serving Ideas
This easy rocket salad recipe is such a great salad to have to hand, serve it:
- as a side dish to baked chicken thighs, chicken pie, quiche, lasagne or vegetarian lasagna
- at a barbecue or pot luck/Jacob’s join.
- as part of a mezze style spread with other salads, bread, cheese, ham and dips.
Storage
Once made, this rocket and pomegranate salad will keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
More simple side salad recipes
(This recipe was originally posted in February 2020. It has since been updated with better images and more information to help you make the best rocket salad. The recipe remains the same.)
Rocket Pomegranate Salad
Author: Robyn
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ tablespoon lemon juice
- Black pepper
- 100g (3.5oz) rocket
- ½ pomegranate seeded (see tip below for how to do this)
- 70g (2.5oz) parmesan shaved
Instructions
- First make the dressing: in a small bowl whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together with a pinch of black pepper. Put to one side.
- Lay the rocket over your serving plate/bowl, then sprinkle over the parmesan shavings and pomegranate seeds.
- Drizzle over dressing just before serving.
- Best eaten as soon as dressed, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours and make a great lunch!
Nutrition
HAVE YOU MADE THIS RECIPE?
I’d love to see your creation!
Or just leave a comment below!
Gavin says
LOVE the addition of pomegranate to this recipe. Those little nuggets are so tasty and add a great pop of colour too
Robyn says
Thanks Gavin! The pomegranate seeds do add such a wonderful colour to the salad 🙂
Andrea says
We are eating healthier in our home at the moment. This beautiful salad is the perfect way to eat right, but not sacrifice flavour. What a great combination of ingredients!
Robyn says
It is such a quick and healthy salad – thanks Andrea, hope you and your family enjoy it!
Sylvie says
Such a deliciously fresh salad! Love the use of pomegranate for the colour and touch of sweetness, plus parmesan and rocket is such a yummy classic!
Robyn says
Thanks Sylvie! The pomegranate is such a great addition!