This Super Citrus Salad is a great addition to go with any meal! With a base of greens topped with citrus fruits, pistachios, feta cheese, and an orange vinaigrette dressing, what could be tastier?
Many people consider salads a meal or side dish consumed only during summer. However, this Super Citrus Salad recipe is a perfect choice for the winter months when available citrus fruits are at their peak!
Keep reading to find out how to make this amazing salad!
What Makes a Salad?
There are several definitions of a salad. A bound salad is a salad that is literally bound together by a thick dressing or mayonnaise. A farinaceous salad is a salad with a potato, rice, or pasta base.
However, the most common is a traditional green salad, which consists almost entirely of raw vegetables.
Another popular salad is a fruit salad, which is precisely what the name suggests: a salad that consists almost entirely of fruit!
For the Super Citrus Salad, we will combine the two different varieties of most common salads!
Gather Your Ingredients
When preparing a salad, the freshest ingredients will always taste the best. Visit a farmer’s market or grocery store produce department to gather your greens, oranges, grapefruit, pomegranate, and avocado.
Grab an additional orange to make fresh zest for your Super Citrus Salad Dressing! Depending on your time restraints, you may choose to purchase extra oranges to make your own fresh orange juice for the Citrus Dressing. Or save a few minutes of prep time by purchasing pre-made orange juice in the store’s refrigerated section.
Don’t forget the cheese, roasted pistachios, salt, honey, or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have those in your pantry.
Make Your Super Citrus Salad!
Combine your Citrus Dressing
Begin by mixing your Super Citrus Salad dressing. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In a shaker, combine 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/3 fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Shake vigorously for thirty seconds.
If you don’t have access to a shaker, combine in a bowl and whisk vigorously for a minute or until the ingredients are well mixed.
Prepare your Salad
Rinse your four cups of arugula and separate them onto four plates.
Next, slice and peel two mandarin oranges and your grapefruit to desired thickness.
Add the sliced citrus to your salad plates. Note: It may be easier to slice these before peeling, depending on which direction you choose to slice them.
Wash and slice five radishes.
Open your pomegranate and separate the seeds from the skin, measuring approximately two cups. Evenly distribute both of these ingredients across the salad plates.
Now, grab your avocado and slice it. Add two or three slices to each salad plate.
Finally, add the pistachios and feta cheese to the salads. Tear apart fresh mint leaves and sprinkle evenly, as well.
When you’re ready to serve, shake the Citrus Dressing and drizzle it over each salad.
How to Store your Citrus Salad Dressing
For best results, store any leftover Citrus Dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Be sure to shake well before each use.
Mix it Up With These Variations
Are you a creative thinker? Consider varying your salad by making a few simple changes to this Super Citrus Salad recipe!
Go Vegan
Drop the dairy by substituting a cheese of your choice to this salad. Don’t forget to substitute the honey with another yummy vegan sweetener, such as agave syrup!
Add More Greens
Arugula has a distinctive flavor that can be overpowering.
Consider creating a mix of arugula and baby spinach to balance out the flavors!
Mix Up the Flavors
If you’ve tried this salad and know you love it, mix it up the next time you serve it!
- Snag a fennel bulb, slice, and roast in your oven before adding to this delectable salad!
- Try using another soft cheese, such as blue cheese crumble or gorgonzola cheese, to add a little variety!
- A candied walnut or sliced almonds would also go great with the citrusy notes of this salad.
Perfect Pairings for Your Salad!
Are you ready to make this salad into a full meal? Several wine pairings and dishes will go perfectly with this delightful salad!
Begin with a classic Sauvignon blanc, Colombard, or a sweet Orange Muscat wine to serve alongside this salad. The sweet and tangy tones of the citrus go well with a white wine pairing.
Balance this Super Citrus Salad with a salmon dish or other favorite lighter fish. A baked salmon made with garlic and lemon would accent this salad flawlessly!
At a loss for salmon recipes? Try our Sensational Salmon and Nectarines with Jalapeno Jerk Sauce recipe!
Another great combination to make this a full-course meal would be to serve this along with pasta! The average pasta dish tends to be heavier, so this light citrus salad will keep you from feeling overly full.
Add roasted squash or carrots to your plate to keep a warm color scheme on your table!
Interested in More Citrus Recipes?
If your tastebuds are inspired, and you’re craving more citrus recipes, we’ve got you covered!
Try Our Best Ever Grapefruit Salad!
This scrumptious Best Ever Grapefruit Salad is a perfect winter meal. And with a Sweet Pomegranate Poppyseed Salad Dressing, this salad is guaranteed to be a hit!
It’s quick and easy to make and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This makes it a perfect healthy meal for the whole family!
Celebrate Summer With Refreshing Watermelon, Radish Salad!
Are you looking for a light dish for a perfect summer meal? Look no further!
This delicious, Refreshing Watermelon, Radish Salad is both hydrating and sweet. It will leave your family asking for more!
With added cucumber and mint, this refreshing salad truly lives up to its name!
Having a few friends over? This salad pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board and wine!
Indulge in your Salad!
Don’t bother to wait for summer to serve a salad! This Super Citrus Salad is a great winter option.
Still hungry for more? Then discover our other fruit recipes to stock up your kitchen with nature’s healthy and tasty goodies!
Need some more inspiration in the kitchen? Then checkout our vegetable recipes for delicious and healthy cooking guides!
Super Citrus Salad
This Super Citrus Salad is a perfect choice for the winter months when available citrus fruits are at their peak!
Ingredients
- For the Citrus Dressing:
- 1/4 cup EVOO
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- For the Salad:
- 4 C Arugula
- 2 seedless Mandarin Oranges (peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 large Grapefruit (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 5 radishes, sliced
- 2 C pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup roasted pistachios
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing First:
- In a shaker, combine extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, orange zest, honey, and sea salt.
- Shake vigorously for thirty seconds.
Make the Salad:
- Rinse arugula and separate onto four plates.
- Next, slice and peel mandarin oranges and grapefruit to desired thickness.
- Add the sliced citrus to salad plates.
- Wash and five radishes.
- Open your pomegranate and separate two cups of seeds from the skin,
- Evenly distribute radishes and pomegranate seeds across the salad plates.
- Slice the avocado.
- Add two or three slices to each salad plate.
- Add the pistachios and feta cheese to the salads.
- Tear apart fresh mint leaves and sprinkle evenly.
- When ready to serve, shake the Citrus Dressing and drizzle over each salad.
