Citrus Salad Recipe With Homemade Vinaigrette

A citrus salad is a leafy green salad using citrus fruits in the salad and the dressing. While citrus fruits are popular all year round, and many think of them as a summer fruit, the citrus season occurs during the wintertime in North America. Winter citrus, like blood oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and Cara Cara oranges, all peak in the cold months and add tart sweetness to a winter salad.

Use the tips below for a bright and fresh winter citrus salad.

1. 1. Add salty and crunchy elements. Citrus fruits are tart and sweet and pair well with salty cheese, like goat cheese and feta. Crumble the salty cheese on top of the salad, so there is some in every bite. Citrus fruits are also juicy, so adding something crunchy to the salad, such as croutons, pistachios, or seeds, balances those textures.
2. 2. Avoid the pith when segmenting the citrus. The pith is the thin, bitter, white layer between the citrus skin and the fruit. Sometimes all of the pith comes off with the citrus peel, but if not, use a paring knife to remove the white pith before cutting the fruit into segments.
3. 3. Make a citrus dressing. For added citrus flavor, use fresh orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, or lime juice in the vinaigrette. Make a creamy dressing with yogurt, citrus juice, garlic, and fresh mint leaves, or make a vinaigrette with olive oil, citrus juice, garlic, shallots, and Dijon mustard.
4. 4. Use a variety of lettuce greens. Many salad greens are available year-round, so use a mix of light and crunchy greens, like romaine, butter lettuce, and dark leafy greens, such as arugula and baby spinach. Dark greens have a similar bitterness to citrus fruits, and the crunchy, watery greens add some sweet earthiness.

Serve a winter citrus salad in any of the three ways below.

1. 1. Add grilled chicken to a citrus salad. Make a citrus salad a main dish by adding grilled or baked chicken to the top. Steak, tofu, and seafood work to bulk up the salad, too.
2. 2. Serve a citrus salad with brunch. A citrus salad’s bright colors and flavors work well with other popular brunch dishes on the heavier side, such as waffles and eggs benedict.
3. 3. Serve a citrus salad as a side dish. Since it’s a light and fresh salad, it pairs well with large main dishes. Serve a citrus salad alongside lasagna, meatloaf, and even a hearty soup.