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Zesty Winter Citrus Salad

Featured in: Fresh Salad Recipes for Every Season

This bright salad showcases winter's juiciest fruits including blood oranges, cara cara oranges, navel oranges and grapefruit. The fruit slices sit on a bed of green leaves topped with juicy pomegranate gems, mint leaves, toasted almonds and soft goat cheese crumbles. Everything comes together with a sweet-tart honey lemon seed dressing. It's perfect for a light meal or as a side dish, adding color to dull winter days. The mix of sweet, tangy and creamy bits makes for a pretty and tasty salad that's good for you too.
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Updated on Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:58:43 GMT
Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette Pin it
Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette | tastefullyrecipe.com

This bright winter citrus mix brings together the juiciest seasonal fruits with fresh greens and creamy goat cheese, offering a light break from typical heavy winter dishes. This vibrant plate showcases blood oranges, cara cara oranges, and ruby red grapefruit at their peak, all tied together with a homemade sweet-tangy lemon honey poppyseed dressing that hits all the right notes.

I brought this salad to our family dinner last winter and was shocked when my salad-hating nephew came back for more. The combo of different textures and tastes turned him into a real salad fan, particularly when he bit into those sweet little pomegranate jewels.

Key Components For Success

  • Blood Oranges: Their deep red insides add amazing color and sweet berry-like flavor. Go for ones that seem heavy when you pick them up
  • Cara Cara Oranges: These pinkish gems offer milder tartness with subtle flowery hints. Find ones with tight, unblemished skin
  • Grapefruit: Brings a nice bitter kick that works against the sweeter ingredients. Pick ones with a slight give when squeezed
  • Pomegranate Seeds: Give pops of sweet juice and crunch. Look for heavy fruits with tough, intact skin
  • Fresh Mint: Adds cool contrast against the citrus fruits. Choose bright, unmarked leaves
  • Goat Cheese: Provides rich tanginess. Go for fresh, crumbly types for best results
  • Spring Mix: Makes a soft foundation that highlights the citrus. Get crisp, perky leaves with no brown spots

Crafting Your Citrus Masterpiece

Mix Your Special Dressing:
Stir olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and honey together in a container. Throw in poppy seeds and Dijon mustard, then whisk until everything blends smoothly. Add salt and pepper, and tweak the honey until it tastes just right.
Prep Your Citrus:
Cut away all peels and white bits from oranges and grapefruit. Slice them into rounds, saving any juice that runs out to add to your dressing.
Get Those Almonds Golden:
Warm up a pan over medium heat till it's hot enough for water drops to sizzle. Toss in almonds, keeping them moving until they smell nutty and turn light brown.
Build Your Base:
Spread spring mix in a wide bowl, making a green foundation. Place citrus rounds on top in an overlapping pattern for a pretty look.
Scatter The Good Stuff:
Sprinkle pomegranate seeds across the top like little gems. Drop mint leaves here and there. Finish with your toasted almonds and bits of goat cheese.
Add The Final Touch:
Pour your homemade dressing over everything right before you serve it, letting folks add extra if they want.
Fresh Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette Pin it
Fresh Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette | tastefullyrecipe.com

In my Mediterranean family, citrus wasn't just food but medicine too. My grandma always served orange slices after winter meals, saying they were nature's candy and good for fighting colds. This salad takes me back to those times, though I've put my own spin on it with the goat cheese and poppyseeds.

Tasty Companions

This winter citrus mix goes great with some grilled chicken or pan-cooked salmon. It also looks stunning at holiday morning spreads or casual lunch get-togethers. Try it with some crusty sourdough bread to mop up all those tasty juices and dressing.

Mix It Up By Season

In spring, try using Valencia oranges with some strawberries mixed in. Swap goat cheese for feta if you want more bite. Try pistachios or walnuts instead of almonds, or add some avocado chunks for creaminess. If you're out of mint, fresh basil or tarragon work nicely too.

Storage Tips

Keep all parts of the undressed salad in separate containers. Citrus pieces will stay good for 2-3 days in the fridge. You can make the dressing up to 3 days ahead and keep it cold, just give it a quick stir before using. Put everything together right before eating for the best look and taste.

Close-up Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette Recipe Pin it
Close-up Winter Citrus Salad with Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette Recipe | tastefullyrecipe.com

I've made this salad countless times over the years and found its best quality is how flexible and forgiving it can be. Whether you're super experienced or just starting to cook, you can play around with this dish while still getting wonderful results every time. It's become my favorite way to brighten up gloomy winter days and always brings a bit of sunshine to the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this citrus salad ahead of time?
You can get things ready early - cut the fruits and mix up the dressing up to 3 days before. Keep them in separate containers and put everything together right before eating to keep it all crisp.
→ What can I substitute for goat cheese?
If goat cheese isn't your thing, try crumbled feta, shaved ricotta salata, or just leave the cheese out for a dairy-free option.
→ Which greens work best in this salad?
Spring mix, baby arugula, or spinach are all great choices. Pick what you like best - arugula has a peppery kick while spinach tastes milder.
→ How do I pick the best citrus for this salad?
Look for fruits that seem heavy when you hold them and have shiny, firm peels. Stay away from any with mushy spots or faded colors.
→ Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?
Absolutely! Green pistachios look and taste amazing with citrus and pomegranate, or you can try walnuts or pecans for a different crunch and flavor.

Winter Citrus Salad

A colorful winter fruit mix featuring juicy oranges, tangy grapefruit, crunchy toasted almonds and soft goat cheese drizzled with a sweet honey lemon seed dressing.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Fresh Fruits & Greens

01 2 blood oranges, cut into rounds after peeling
02 2 cara cara oranges, skinned and cut into circles
03 2 navel oranges, skin removed and sliced
04 1 grapefruit, outer skin peeled off and sliced
05 6 cups spring mix, arugula, or spinach leaves
06 ½ cup pomegranate seeds
07 ¼ cup mint leaves, chopped roughly

→ Toppings

08 ⅓ cup toasted almond slices
09 ½ cup goat cheese, broken into chunks

→ Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

10 ⅓ cup olive oil, extra virgin
11 ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 2 tablespoons honey
13 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
14 ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 Kosher salt and black pepper according to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a small bowl and mix olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard together. Stir until everything's combined well. Add salt and pepper to your liking, and feel free to put in more honey if you want it sweeter.

Step 02

Take all your citrus fruits (blood oranges, cara cara oranges, regular navel oranges, and grapefruit) and peel them completely, making sure you get rid of all the white stuff. Lay each fruit down and cut into slices about ¼-inch thick.

Step 03

Get a dry pan and warm it over medium heat. Toss in the almond slices and cook them for 3-5 minutes. Keep stirring so they don't burn. They're done when they smell nutty and look golden. Let them cool off the heat.

Step 04

Start with a big bowl and put your greens at the bottom. Add your sliced citrus on top, then sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and mint. Pour some dressing over everything and mix gently. Finish by sprinkling the cooled almonds and goat cheese chunks on top. Serve right away with extra dressing on the side.

Notes

  1. Watch out - blood oranges can make stains, so put an apron on while you work
  2. You can get a head start: keep citrus and greens in separate containers. The dressing stays good in the fridge for up to 3 days
  3. Switch things up by adding avocado slices, fennel, or swap almonds for pistachios if you'd like

Tools You'll Need

  • Big salad bowl
  • Small bowl for mixing dressing
  • Dry pan for almond toasting
  • Sharp knife for cutting citrus
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has tree nuts (almonds)
  • Contains dairy from goat cheese

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 279
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 23 g
  • Protein: 7 g