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Home » Recipes » Salads

by Traci · Published: 01/14/2023 · Updated: 03/25/2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Citrus Salad

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5 from 11 votes
20 minutes

Refreshing citrus salad made with blood oranges, navel oranges, and white grapefruit over a bed of arugula with walnuts and zesty lemon dressing.

citrus salad on white serving platter next to dressing in mason jar
Table of Contents hide
1) Why you'll love this citrus salad recipe
2) Ingredient notes
3) How to make citrus salad
4) Delicious add-ins
5) More salads to love during winter
6) Citrus Salad Recipe

Why you'll love this citrus salad recipe

This citrus salad is not your typical green salad. Nor does it resemble the fruit salad you're accustomed to enjoying during warmer months. This is a full on winter salad – and it's bursting with flavor and nutrients!

One of the best things about the winter season is – the fruit! That's right! The coldest season of the year for most of the US happens to be the optimal time for oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and kiwi to ripen on the tree.

I happen to live near orange and grapefruit trees, which is why I'm sharing this recipe. I started making this citrus salad 10 years ago. It is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated seasonal salads. It has every flavor going for it – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory – and plenty of texture.

Ingredient notes

The ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.

  • grapefruit - I used white grapefruit here but pink is gorgeous too!
  • oranges - I used blood oranges and navel oranges.
  • arugula - Or fresh kale.
  • walnuts - Or preferred nut.
  • red onions - Totally optional, but highly recommended.
  • lemon juice - Freshly squeezed.
  • extra virgin olive oil - Or preferred salad oil.
  • Dijon - Add a kick and acts as a binder.
  • agave nectar - or other liquid sweetener
  • salt and pepper
labeled citrus salad ingredients in bowls

How to make citrus salad

Step 1. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove peels and pith from the surface of all oranges and grapefruit. Discard peels. Turn the peeled citrus on its side and cut into ¼-inch thick slices.

peel is being removed from blood orange with chef's knife
blood orange is being sliced with chef's knfe

Step 2. Arrange a bed of arugula topped with oranges, grapefruit, and (optional) onions. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.

bed of arugula on white serving platter next to onions, walnuts, and sliced citrus
citrus salad on white serving platter

Step 3. Whisk together lemon dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days or use immediately.

lemon dressing ingredients for citrus salad
lemon dressing is whisked in glass mixing bowl

Step 4. To serve, drizzle lemon dressing over the sliced citrus and garnish with WALNUTS. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days, once dressed.

citrus salad on white serving platter

Delicious add-ins

This citrus salad is simple and divine as it is, especially because it has the perfect texture and flavors going for it. But, I'm sharing a few other ingredients that will only enhance it even further.

  • Fruits and vegetables: pomegranate seeds, avocado, apples, beets, fennel, carrots, radishes
  • Nuts: toasted pine nuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios
  • Seeds: pepitas, hemp hearts, chia seeds
  • Cheese: goat cheese, crumbled blue cheese, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese

More salads to love during winter

  • Lemony Kale Salad
  • Broccoli Salad with Bacon
  • Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
  • Savory Sweet Potato Salad
citrus salad on white serving platter

Citrus Salad Recipe

Refreshing citrus salad made with blood oranges, navel oranges, and white grapefruit over a bed of arugula with walnuts and zesty lemon dressing.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 1-cup servings
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 2 Blood Oranges, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large Navel Orange, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large Grapefruit, peeled and sliced
  • ½ cup Arugula
  • ¼ cup Red Onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Agave Nectar, or sweetener of choice
  • ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
  • pinch Black Pepper
  • ¼ cup Walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Use a sharp knife to carefully remove peels and pith from the surface of all ORANGES and GRAPEFRUIT.
  • Discard peels. Turn the peeled citrus on its side and cut into ¼-inch thick slices.
  • Arrange GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGES, and (optional) RED ONIONS on a bed of ARUGULA. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.
  • To make the dressing, whisk together LEMON JUICE, OLIVE OIL, DIJON, LIQUID SWEETENER, SALT, and PEPPER in a mixing bowl until creamy and well-combined. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.
  • To serve, drizzle dressing over salad and garnish with WALNUTS.
  • Store in an airtight container up to 2 days, once dressed.
Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • airtight storage container(s)

NUTRITION

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 907IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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More Easy Salad Recipes

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  • Strawberry Salad
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Comments

  1. Danielle says

    March 23, 2018 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    I LOVE citrus in salads. This is such a great yummy looking salad! I recently found out I don't love fennel, so I'll likely substitute. Great idea for healthy weekday lunch/dinner.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 23, 2018 at 7:31 am

      Yay thanks Danielle. Not everyone loves fennel, so I would double down on the sliced apples in this recipe. They offer a great texture and flavor. Thanks again!

  2. Elaine says

    March 22, 2018 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    I love all the ingredients in your delightful salad!! I love all the winter citrus you used. This salad looks both beautiful and delicious! I can't wait to try your recipe!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:25 pm

      Thanks Elaine! Love hearing that...hope you get to try this one out!

  3. Karen says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    I love citrus and fennel together and this salad is so lovely. Although I'm ready for spring I'm feeling like I should enjoy citrus fruits as long as I can. The dressing sounds delicious too!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:25 pm

      Thanks so much Karen 🙂 I'm right there with you on enjoying ALL the citrus while the season lasts!

  4. Stephanie says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:43 am

    5 stars
    This salad sounds amazing! I've started to crave more salads lately so this one sounds perfect to add to the rotation.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:23 pm

      Awesome Stephanie! Hope you can get this one into your rotation 🙂

  5. Julia says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:18 am

    5 stars
    What a perfect salad for spring! And that champagne vinaigrette sounds so delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:23 pm

      Thanks so much Julia! If you love the sound of it, you'll love the real thing 🙂

  6. Susie says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    I love every single flavor in this recipe, and it is so beautiful! I cannot wait to make it. I will definitely be putting this on my next menu for company

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 22, 2018 at 7:58 am

      Yay Susie...so glad to hear it! I hope you love it like I do...the citrus kind of sells itself 😉

  7. Carlos says

    March 21, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is lovely and so refreshing looking.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      Thanks Carlos...all credit goes to that gorgeous produce 🙂

  8. Edyta says

    March 21, 2018 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    I literally love everything you put in this salad. What a great combo!!!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks Edyta! Love hearing that...and right there with you on my fondness for each ingredient 🙂

  9. kaitie says

    March 21, 2018 at 7:28 am

    What a GREAT salad! I would love this for a light lunch or a ladies lunch 🙂

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks Kaitie! Love the idea of this as a ladies lunch…perhaps with some bubbles or some white wine. YUMMMM! Loving your line of thinking 🙂

  10. Jennifer says

    March 21, 2018 at 7:23 am

    5 stars
    Such a beautiful salad!! I'm always looking for more fresh recipes like this during this time of year!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! Yay! Hope this one does it for you...it's perfect timing while citrus is going off 🙂

  11. Meredith Kauffman says

    March 21, 2018 at 7:15 am

    5 stars
    I love all of the delicious textures in this citrus-focused salad! I happen to love arugula, so I would definitely make this salad with a lot of it. Pinning to try soon!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      Thanks Meredith! Right there with you on the arugula so of course I piled it on after the photo shoot LOL. Hope you get a chance to try this one out...and love it 🙂

  12. Jill says

    March 21, 2018 at 7:01 am

    5 stars
    I would most certainly devour that whole plate. What a beautiful presentation too!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      March 21, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      Haha, it's so easy to devour! Thanks for the kind words 🙂

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