Our easy and beautiful citrus salad recipe will be the side dish that will brighten up any brunch, lunch, or dinner table. We are all about easy entertaining here at Ivory and Noire. It is a plus, and honestly inspiring to make a dish that is visually beautiful as well as delicious. We knew this side dish would look beautiful served on our green and white chinoiserie table (link) set elegantly for a dinner party. It turned out so well on all fronts that we just had to share this recipe. Bursting with vibrant colors and refreshing flavors, this easy-to-make salad is a great addition to your gatherings. Don’t limit it to just the summer, it’s a dish to make on repeat all year!
Combining the sweetness of Cara Cara oranges, the tanginess of pink grapefruit, and the rich hues of blood oranges, this salad is garnished with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint, creating a visually beautiful and appetizing dish. In this blog, we will guide you through the simple steps of making this zesty citrus salad. We will also share our favorite store-bought salad dressing and give you an option for a homemade version too.
The Power of Citrus
Citrus fruits are a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants, making this citrus salad a nutritious choice for your brunch. Loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, the combination of oranges and grapefruit will not only refresh your taste buds but also provide a healthy boost to your immune system.
We picked this blend of Cara Cara, blood oranges, and pink grapefruit because of each fruit’s distinctive and delicious flavor. Another plus was that the colors of the slices would look beautiful together.
There are lots of different types of oranges and grapefruits so feel free to experiment with a combination of your favorites.
How to Make a Beautiful Citrus Salad
To begin, gather the star ingredients: Cara Cara oranges, pink grapefruit, and blood oranges. These distinct varieties will add unique flavors and colors to your salad, making it a true feast for both the eyes and the palate.
1. Prepare the citrus fruits
Slice the oranges and grapefruit into approx 1/4 inch slices and cut off all the skin plus the bitter white pith, creating wheels. Make sure to remove any seeds for a smooth eating experience.
Note: We found cutting them into thicker slices helped the citrus wheels not to break apart.
2. Assemble the salad
Arrange the citrus slices on a serving platter or in a bowl, alternating the different types of oranges for an appealing presentation. The burst of colors will make your salad a true work of art.
3. Add a bit of salt
Sprinkle the medley of orange and grapefruit slices with Kosher salt.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint
Sprinkle a handful of fresh pomegranate seeds on top of the citrus slices. Their sweet-tart taste and jewel-like appearance will add an extra layer of sophistication to the salad. Finally, tear some fresh mint leaves and scatter them over the top for a refreshing aroma.
Another option for garnish, if you want to substitute the pomegranate seeds, is using sliced almonds or any other nut.
5. Add Dressing
Finish the salad off by drizzling Brianna’s Home Style Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing (or your favorite strawberry dressing is a good option too). If a homemade dressing is your preference here are the ingredients for the Sweet Salad dressing below:
Sweet Salad Dressing Recipe
To tie all the flavors together, you need a dressing that complements the zesty citrus. Prepare the simple Sweet Dressing using the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of orange juice (from any leftover citrus)
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Mix these ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the citrus salad just before serving, allowing the sweet flavors to mingle with the citrusy goodness.
Enjoy!
Easy and Beautiful Citrus Salad
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2-3 Pink Grapefruits
- 2-3 Cara Cara oranges
- 2 Blood Oranges
- Pinch Kosher Salt
- 1/4 cup Breanna's Home Style Blush Wine Vinegrette Dressing or opt to use the Sweet Dressing ingredients for this below.
- Garnishes
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds optional garnish
- 1 bunch fresh mint optional garnish
- Ingredients for Sweet Dressing
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp of orange juice from any leftover orange
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Slice oranges and grapefruits in 1/4" of an inch thick slices that will create round wheels. Make sure to remove any seeds for a smooth eating experience.
- Arrange the citrus slices on a serving platter or in a bowl, alternating the different types of oranges and the grapefruit for an appealing presentation.
- Sprinkle Kosher salt all over the salad
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds and torn pieces of fresh mint.
- Lightly Drizzle the Blush Wine Dressing or the Sweet Dressing (instructions to make this below)
- Sweet Dressing Instructions:
- Mix the ingredients (honey, lemon juice, orange juice, and vanilla extract) in a small bowl until well combined. Drizzle over salad.
- NOTE: Lightly drizzle your choice of salad dressing so that its addition won't overwhelm the citrusy flavors but complement them. Depending on the size of the salad more or less of the salad dressing might be needed.
- Enjoy!
This summer citrus salad is an easy, beautiful, and delicious side dish that will elevate any meal. The blend of Cara Cara oranges, pink grapefruit, and blood oranges will leave your guests in awe of both the presentation and the taste. The addition of pomegranate seeds and mint adds a flavorful and colorful touch, while the sweet dressing brings all the flavors together. So, the next time you host a get-together or simply want to enjoy a refreshing side dish, remember to whip up this citrus salad masterpiece!
If you make this salad for your next gathering we would love to see what you come up with make sure Tag @ivoryandnoire #inspiredbyivoryandnoire on Instagram to be featured or to know we inspired you.
If you loved this recipe, I think you’d enjoy my Mediterranean loaded hummus recipe as well!
Keywords: Citrus salad, easy side dish, beautiful side dish, brunch side dish.