Fresh Citrus Salad with Orange Honey Vinaigrette
I love fresh citrus salad. There’s something so satisfying about sweet juicy citrus on a bed of dark leafy greens drizzled lightly with a sweet yet tangy orange honey vinaigrette and little morsels of tangy feta, crunchy pepitas and sweet cranberries. If that sounds appealing to you – you’ll love this recipe!
Also Read: Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad, How to Segment Citrus Fruit, 5 Varieties of Citrus
Salads like this are too pretty to just toss in a bowl and have everything sink to the bottom. To showcase all stunning flavourful and colourful ingredients, I prefer arranging salads like this on a large plate, shallow bowl or platter. If you’re really ambitious, you could even make individual plates.
Start with a layer of dark leafy greens tossed with red cabbage for an added punch of colour and nutrients. Then toss on slices of oranges and sprinkle on the remaining toppings finishing with fresh herbs.
PRO TIP: For the best presentation, I like to peel my oranges with a knife to remove all of the white pith. It’s a beautiful touch and it’s actually easier to peel oranges like this rather than peeling with your fingers. I don’t typically segment the oranges for this salad, I just remove the white pith for appearances.
And most important – don’t add the dressing until ready to serve. Better yet, serve the dressing on the side and let each guest add their own. This way, they’ll get to add as much or as little as they want and, if there’s any leftover salad, it will keep in the fridge.
Two Steps to Turn this Citrus Salad into a Grain Bowl
Want a more nourishing, satisfying salad for lunch? Turn this salad into a grain bowl. Add these two things – grains and proteins.
1. Add a sturdy grain base
Add cooked whole grains for added fibre and long lasting energy. They help soak up the vinaigrettte and distribute flavour throughout.
- Use Ā½ to Ā¾ cup cooked farro, barley, quinoa, or wheat berries or buckwheat per person
- Warm or room-temperature grains work best
2. Include a solid protein
To make this bowl truly satisfying, add protein that complements the citrus, feta, and pepitas already in the salad. Protein slows digeestion, helps keep hunger at bay and supports muscle health. It’s the perfect complement, especially if adding whole grains.
Good options include:
- Ā¾ to 1 cup cooked chickpeas or white beans
- 3 to 4 oz leftover roast chicken, pork or fish
- 1 to 2 soft or hard boiled eggs
Tip: Toss beans or chicken with a spoonful of the orange honey vinaigrette before adding.
Recipe for Fresh Citrus Salad
Fresh Citrus Salad with Orange Honey Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 cups favourite lettuce greens
- 1 navel orange
- 1 Cara Cara orange
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red cabbage (optional)
- 1/2 cup toasted pepitas
- 1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries or fresh pomegranate arils
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh green onions, chives or dill
- Orange Honey Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp orange juice concentrate
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare oranges. Slice top and bottom of oranges. Place on cutting board and run a sharp knife between the peel and the flesh of the orange from the top to the bottom all around the orange to remove the peel and white pith. A quick way to peel oranges – and they look pretty too!
- On a large plate, shallow bowl or platter, spread green leafy mix and toss in red cabbage if using.
- Layer on remaining ingredients in an attractive display finishing with fresh herbs.
- Make vinaigrette by pouring all ingredients in a screw top jar and shaking vigorously.
- Serve vinaigrette on side to keep the lettuce looking fresh and to allow each guest to add as much or as little dressing as they like.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Reach for dark leafy greens whenever you can to get the biggest bang for your health conscious buck. My research into foods for brain health confirms that one serving of dark leafy greens per day is ideal. And, did you know eating foods high in Vitamin C – think oranges, with dark leafy greens helps us absorb the iron and calcium in those greens? Yup it’s true – dark greens and oranges don’t just look good together – they’re a powerful nutrient rich combo.
Other Stunning Citrus Salads
These are all stunning and delicious salads made with fresh oranges.
- 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
Are you ready to try this salad? Leave a comment and of course, if you make it, share a photo on Instagram and tag @getgettys so I can see it and like it!
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. Donāt 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 youāll love
Cook with the seasons, effortlessly! Iām Getty, a food educator and Professional Home Economist, helping you select, store, and serve seasonal ingredients in delicious, simple, everyday meals. Sign up for seasonal tips and recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and dive deeper with my books, guides, or YouTube content.