Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Red Cabbage Pomegranate Salad combining crunchy shredded red cabbage, sweet pomegranate seeds, savory chickpeas, and tangy green olives, all brought together with a zesty sumac and pomegranate dressing. This nutrient-packed salad is perfect as a light meal or a colorful side dish.
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Toasting
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Salad
- 1 ½ cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup green olives, chopped
- 1 whole pomegranate, deseeded
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¾ cup toasted sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp pomegranate syrup
- 1 tbsp sumac
- ½ tsp salt
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley, drained chickpeas, and chopped green olives thoroughly to mix all fresh ingredients well.
- Toast Sunflower Seeds: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add sunflower seeds, and toast them until they turn golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before adding to the salad to maintain their crunchiness.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, pomegranate syrup, sumac, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fully emulsified, creating a tangy and sweet dressing.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss everything thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated. Serve the salad immediately for a crisp texture or let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
Notes
- To deseed a pomegranate easily, score around the middle and break open over a bowl of water to separate the seeds without mess.
- Sunflower seeds add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor but can be omitted for allergy-friendly or nut-free versions.
- Sumac adds tartness and a unique citrusy flavor; if unavailable, substitute with a splash of lemon zest or extra lemon juice.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days but is best eaten fresh for optimal texture.
- Adjust salt quantity to taste, especially if using salty olives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: red cabbage salad, pomegranate salad, chickpea salad, sumac dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, Middle Eastern salad