Easy Pomelo Salad
An easy pomelo salad with simple ingredients for a refreshing delicious salad. If you love pomelo, here’s a savory and fulfilling way to prepare it! This salad offers up an easy way to enjoy this GIANT of the citrus family.
Also Read: How to Select & Peel Pomelo, Video: How to Peel a Pomelo, Five Varieties of Citrus.
Pomelo – the Giant of Citrus Fruit
Pomelo, is a giant, mild-flavored citrus fruit. It’s larger than a grapefruit but less bitter and less juicy. It’s the least acidic of all citrus fruit. It’s a special treat eaten as is, used in a sweet fruit salad, in a green salad with citrus or in this easy pomelo salad inspired by Thai cuisine.
Peeling and opening a pomelo is an adventure! The steps are easy, but it takes a little time READ THE HOW TO. You’ll be amazed by how thick the pith or rind of the pomelo is and how firm the flesh or segments are. Here’s one of my early videos showing how to peel a pomelo. Just goes to show – I’ve been loving pomelo for a long time!
Video: How to Peel a Honey Pomelo
Where is a Pomelo from?
Pomelo is not native to North America but found in our grocery stores from January-March. This recipe is a simplified take on traditional Southeast Asian versions where pomelo originates. I appreciate the rich culinary traditions of countries like Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and their amazing recipes. This recipe is not an original, but I’ve created and shared it as an easy introduction to pomelo salad for those who have limited access to the full array of ingredients in a traditional Thai pomelo salad.
Ingredients for Easy Pomelo Salad
This recipe uses familiar ingredients in a unique way to offer a tasty blend of sweet, sour and savory flavors with juicy and crunchy textures. A more traditional salad (Thai – yum som-o) often includes more aromatic flavors like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves while the dressing would be made in a mortar and pestle starting with grinding the chili peppers. There also would not likely be any cucumber and carrots. If you ever have the chance to taste an original version – do it!
Pomelo
The undisputed star of this salad. If it’s hard to come by, try using mild cara cara oranges.
Cucumber
Provides a cool and refreshing touch. I like to cut them into julienne strips for interest.
Carrot
Add a little crunch and a burst of color, also cut into julienne strips.
Cilantro or Mint
Either one will give you a unique Asian flavor, but parsley or green onions will do too.
Peanuts or Cashews
Toasted for flavorful crunch – swap out with toasted coconut if you prefer.
Dressing
Rich umami flavor with made with fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, olive oil and as many hot chilis as you dare!
How to Serve Pomelo Salad
This salad is light and refreshing, serve it as a light lunch or as a starter salad.
Add-Ons: Consider adding shrimp or chicken and serve over chilled rice noodles for a more filling salad.
Recipe for Easy Pomelo Salad
Easy Pomelo Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized pomelo peeled and segmented
- 1 cup cucumber thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots julienned
- 1/4 cup sliced shallots or red onions
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro or mint
- 1/2 cup chopped, roasted peanuts or cashews
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce*
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp finely chopped red chili or more!
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine pomelo segments, sliced cucumber, julienned carrots, shallots, cilantro and chopped peanuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and chopped chili (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve garnished with extra cilantro and peanuts if desired. Store extras in fridge and enjoy the next day.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
More Citrus Salad Recipes
When citrus season is here try these other citrus salad recipes:
- Orange and Wheatberry Salad on Dark Greens
- Blood Orange Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
- Orange and Mint Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- Orange Celery Salad
- Orange Fennel Salad
- Mandarin Orange and Spinach Salad
More Citrus Tips
Need a boost of confidence working with citrus? Here’s more tips:
- How to Select, Store & Freeze Lemons and Limes
- How to Peel & Segment a Honey Pomelo
- How to Segment Citrus Fruit
- 5 Common Citrus Varieties Available in Winter
- 4 Tips on Getting the Most Juice from Limes & Lemons
When you try the pomelo salad, leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Step by Step guide to Vinaigrette
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Vinaigrettes use at least twice as much oil as acid and are bound by an emulsifier. So whether you make a small or big batch use 2 parts oil, 1 part acid and 1 part emulsifier. Don’t worry. The guide will walk you through it all…
- Get the ratio you need for dressing success
- Ideas for flavour and emulsifiers
- Salad & Dressing recipes you’ll love
Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty. Getty is a food educator and Professional Home Economist, who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen. Sign up to get seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox. Learn more about Getty or check out her books and pdf guides.