Citrus Salad - Refreshing Winter Salad Recipe (2024)

ThisCitrus Salad is light, refreshing and packed with healthy winter greens, bright and sweet citrus and a homemade citrus vinaigrette. Made with massaged kale, baby spinach, grapefruit, oranges, crunchy nuts, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate arils. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, paleo and Whole30 friendly.

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Healthy Citrus Salad Recipe

Looking for a tasty recipe to make when citrus season is at its peak? This Citrus Salad is one that we make often and is perfect when you have a bunch of oranges to use up. It’s light, bright, refreshing and packed with loads of vitamins and texture. We make salads all year round and love adding seasonal vegetables and fruits to change things up.

This winter citrus salad recipe is full of crisp winter greens and uses a mix of of beautiful citrus of the season’s best. Tangy grapefruit, sweet Cara Cara oranges, bright and bold blood oranges and navel oranges. It would make a light and delicious lunch or show-stopping side dish for dinner or brunch.

Ingredients you need:

The best part about making salads for lunch or dinner is that you can customize them with whatever you have on hand. This winter orange salad uses:

• Baby Spinach and Chopped Kale: I use Tuscan kale, but you can use any variety you like.
• Cabbage and red cabbage:shredded for some extra crunch – you can buy pre-bagged for convenience.
• Citrus:I used grapefruit, Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges and navel oranges or use your favorite mix.
• Avocado Oil: Olive oil would work just as well.
• Fresh mint and dill: to add that extra light and delicious flavor and freshness.

For the Zingy Citrus Dressing

• Extra-virgin olive oil: you can also use avocado oil
• Orange Juice and Lemon Juice: I recommend using fresh juice whenever possible.
• Dijon Mustard: Just a teaspoon!
• Garlic: You’ll need one clove.
• Sea Salt + Freshly cracked pepper:to taste
• Optional sweetener: we didn’t use any but feel free to add your favorite liquid sweetener such as maple syrup, date syrup or honey if not vegan.

For Topping

• Sweet pomegranate arils – for some added crunch and sweetness
• Pistachios and Walnuts : Bring on the crunch and nuttiness!
• Mixed Seeds: I use a combination of pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds but you can use whichever seeds you desire.

How to make Citrus Salad

1. MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE: Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl or a jar. Whisk or shake until combined.
2. PREP GREENS: Remove and discard the hearty stems and tear or chop the kale leaves into thin piece and place in a large bowl. Drizzle a little bit of dressing and use your hands to massage until the leaves start to soften and wilt.
   Add the baby spinach and cabbage and drizzle with a little bit more dressing and toss lightly to coat.
3. CUT CITRUS:Wash the citrus skin and dry. Use a sharp knife to cut and remove the peel. Cut into round slices and set aside.
4. ASSEMBLE SALAD:Place the greens on a large platter serving bowl. Arrange the citrus, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, mint and fresh dill, if using on top. Sprinkle lightly with hemp seeds.
   Once you’re ready to serve, drizzle the dressing lightly over the salad, toss, and serve immediately

Tips for the Best Citrus Salad

Want to make sure your winter orange salad is as tasty as possible? Follow these tips, and you can’t go wrong.

• Leave out the pith. Be sure to cut off the peel and white pith from each citrus wedge is key.
• Make it ahead. This gorgeous salad would be great for meal prep or entertaining! To prep it ahead of time, whisk together the dressing, and slice the citrus up to a day in advance. Assemble the salad right before you’re ready to eat.

Can I Make This Winter Citrus Salad Ahead?

This salad is a great make-ahead recipe if you store it properly. To make it in advance, gather all your salad ingredients in separate containers or bowls, cover and refrigerate them. Then, make your dressing and place it in the fridge in a separate container. Put your salad together and enjoy within 3 days, for best results.

Serving Suggestions

This winter salad is light, refreshing and would go well with everything! Particularly, we like to serve it with the following dishes.

• Pair with Falafel: ThisFalafelrecipe is another spectacular dish that happens to go great with this salad. They’re also low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free and vegan!
• Make it a complete meal with some Baked Feta Pastathat also happens to be vegan, grain-free and gluten-free with low carb options.
• Serve with your favorite protein:This refreshing salad would pair great with someGrilled ChickenorAir Fryer Tofu

How to Store Leftovers

This leftover salad with orange should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

If you know you want to save some of your salad, set aside the amount of salad and dressing you want to store and refrigerate them separately. This way, it’ll stay good for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this salad.

More Healthy Salad Ideas

Need more healthy salad recipes in your life? We’ve got you covered!

• This Avocado Chicken Salad is jam-packed with flavor and nutrients.
• Made sweet and savory with the addition of peaches and blueberries, you’ll fall in love with this Arugula Salad Recipe.
• OurEasy Avocado Tuna Salad is such a fun side dish or light lunch!