Maple Bourbon Bacon Salad with Pears & Pomegranate

The sweetness of maple, the smokiness of bourbon, the saltiness of bacon. Believe it or not, these can be the flavours of a healthy dish this season. Our Maple Bourbon Bacon Chopped Salad Kit brings together nutrient-rich ingredients like crisp romaine lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, green onion, and carrots—all topped with crunchy golden honey almonds (packed with heart-healthy fats) and our sweet Maple Bourbon Vinaigrette.

It’s delicious on its own, but since it’s the holidays, we decided to make it extra festive. Our chefs added pear and pomegranate for dessert-like flavour and beautiful colour. The result? This already-fabulous salad kit becomes a full sensory experience. Best of all, it takes almost no time to prepare. We just had to share the recipe.

  • Total TIME:
  • 10 minutes
  • Active TIME:
  • 10 minutes
  • SERVINGS:
  • 4

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Slice the pears thinly. If you’re using whole pomegranates, open them over the sink to avoid juice stains — those seeds can be messy!
  2. Empty the Maple Bourbon Bacon Chopped Salad Kit into a bowl. Toss the greens with the dressing, then spread the coated greens onto a serving platter.
  3. Arrange the pear slices over the salad. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and crunchy almonds.
  4. Serve with your favourite festive salad utensils. Yes, it’s that easy!

Pomegranates, please!

The pomegranate is a beautiful and slightly quirky superfruit, rich in antioxidants and perfect for any season. But it really shines during the holidays — those ruby red seeds add festive colour and bright, tart flavour to salads, desserts, and side dishes. In some cultures, the pomegranate symbolizes prosperity and good health. Who wouldn’t want to end the year—and start a new one—with those kinds of vibes?

Can a fruit be historic? Absolutely. Pomegranates have been cultivated for thousands of years, originally from the region stretching from modern-day Iran to Northern India. They thrive in hot, dry climates, making them a popular crop around the globe. In Canada and the U.S., California leads the way in pomegranate production, thanks to its Mediterranean-like conditions.

Thinking of going all-in on a pomegranate-themed dinner party? We say go for it. Here are a few fun and festive ideas:

Pomegranate Juice Cocktail or Mocktail
Sub pomegranate juice for cranberry juice in a classic vodka cranberry or mix it with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version. Add a sprig of thyme or rosemary for a Christmas-ready drink.

Pomegranate Parfait
Layer custard and pomegranate arils in pretty dessert glasses. Top with crumbled cookies for an easy sweet-and-tart holiday treat.

Pomegranate Guacamole
Yes, really! Stir pomegranate arils into your guac for a pop of sweet-tart flavour with each creamy, avocado-packed bite.

Pomegranate Bark
Trade out the peppermint and mix pomegranate arils (and a pinch of sea salt, if you like) into melted dark chocolate for a fun twist on a festive favourite.

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