Nitrate & Nitrite Free Pomegranate & Mint Watercress Salad
Peppery watercress, jewel-bright pomegranate arils, cool cucumber, and fragrant torn mint come together in a salad that looks stunning on the table and tastes even better than it looks. The toasted walnuts add a warm, nutty crunch that ties every bite together, and the golden turmeric dressing — built from olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of raw honey — is bright, slightly earthy, and completely addictive. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, which means there are no hidden preservatives or cured components to worry about, just clean, vibrant food. That matters more than people realize, since nitrates and nitrites sneak into a surprising number of packaged dressings, flavored nuts, and even some spice blends. Here, you're whisking the dressing yourself from scratch and toasting plain raw walnuts in a dry skillet, so you stay in full control of what goes into the bowl. It comes together in minutes and is the kind of salad that genuinely impresses guests without requiring any complicated technique. Fresh, fast, and full of color — this one earns a permanent spot in the rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 5 oz watercress, thick stems trimmed
- 1 english cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds
- ¾ cup pomegranate arils
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, torn
- ⅓ cup raw walnuts
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, turmeric, black pepper, and salt until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
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