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Home ≫ Salad

Citrus Salad with Quinoa

By Nikole Berg Mar 18, 2021 · Updated: Aug 30, 2021

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healthy citrus salad

You'll love this simple citrus salad made with healthy quinoa and greens. This salad incorporates our favorite citrus fruits like blood oranges, navel oranges, and grapefruit. The addition of quinoa makes it perfect as a light main dish meal. This version is made with a honey vinaigrette dressing and is topped with chopped pistachios. 

Try my Greek Pasta Salad for another great salad option.

citrus salad on a large platter

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Table of contents

  • Why it's awesome
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Instructions
  • Notes and Tips
  • FAQ
  • More Vegetarian Salads

Why it's awesome

It's easy and quick to make. This salad comes together in about 30 minutes.

Great flavor - You'll love this combination of all the citrus fruits with the poppy seed vinaigrette. It would be great with the addition of some goat cheese and fresh mint leaves.

It's the perfect vegetarian salad that works as a side dish or main dish. A lighter meatless lunch or dinner is sometimes in order. But you can certainly add some grilled seafood, chicken or beef along side.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Blood oranges originated in Sicily and Spain. They have a deep red flesh and a unique raspberry-citrus flavor. Blood oranges are typically considered a winter citrus fruit and are in season from December through March and as late as May. Use any available variety of orange if blood oranges aren't in season. Cara Cara oranges would make a nice substitution.

Navel oranges are available year round. Use your favorite!

Grapefruits are available year round. Grapefruit is common in most citrus salads, but you can omit if you don't like it or can't eat it. Use more orange or try something different like sliced red grapes or kiwi fruit.

Use your favorite variety of mixed greens (I prefer the kind that doesn't have any cilantro in it). Substitute with arugula, spinach, or a mixture.

Quinoa turns this salad into a meal! I used tri-colored, but any variety works. Try brown rice to keep this meal gluten free, or use couscous or orzo if you prefer pasta.

Roasted and salted pistachios adds a crunchy element. Try macadamias, cashews, or pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Flaked coconut will also work.

Instructions

Cook quinoa according to package directions. I used water to cook the quinoa, not broth. Let it cool on a plate while you get the rest of the ingredients ready.

Whisk together the Poppy Seed Vinaigrette ingredients in small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake to combine and set aside.

Place arugula or mixed greens on a large platter. Top with cooled quinoa.

salad greens and quinoa on a large platter

Peel and slice the fruit you're using.

partially peeled blood orange

Layer greens and quinoa with sliced fruit.

slices of a variety of oranges topped on a bed of greens

Pour dressing over sliced fruit. Top with chopped pistachios.

Notes and Tips

Extra virgin olive oil tastes best, but you can use another oil like avocado or walnut instead.

If you want to turn the dressing into a citrus vinaigrette, try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

Try topping this citrus salad with thinly sliced avocado, pomegranate seeds, or toasted coconut flakes. Thinly sliced red onion is also a nice option.

You may want to add herbs like sliced fresh mint or basil.

You can section the citrus fruit rather than slicing, if preferred.

FAQ

What is winter citrus?

Winter fruits are those that ripen in the winter months, typically December through April or May.

Why are oranges better in winter?

The cool temperatures actually make citrus fruits sweeter. The peel becomes thicker and that signals more sugar production.

More Vegetarian Salads

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

Italian Dressing Pasta Salad

a plate of citrus salad

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citrus salad on a large oval platter

Citrus Salad

Recipe by Nikole Berg
Citrus Salad with Quinoa is a healthy winter salad that incorporates fresh blood oranges, navel oranges, and grapefruit. The addition of quinoa makes it perfect as a light main dish meal.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Salad/Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 370 kcal

Equipment

Salad Servers

Ingredients
  

Poppy Seed Honey Vinaigrette

  • 2 tablespoon canola oil any mild flavored oil
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey agave nectar
  • ¼ teaspoon poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Citrus Salad

  • 2-3 blood oranges peel and pith removed, thinly sliced
  • 1 navel orange peel and pith removed, thinly sliced
  • 1 small grapefruit peel and pith removed, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups mixed greens arugula, baby spinach
  • 1 cup quinoa red, white, or mixed; cooked
  • ½ cup roasted, salted pistachios chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook ½ cup quinoa according to package directions. Spread on a plate to cool while assembling the salad.
  • Combine oil, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, pepper in a jar and cover with a lid. Shake until well combined. Set aside.
  • Slice ends off fruit and remove the peel and pith. Slice fruit into thin slices. 
  • Place the mixed greens In a salad bowl or large platter. 
  • Top mixed greens with cooked, cooled quinoa.
  • Top quinoa with sliced fruit.
  • Drizzle dressing over the fruit then top with chopped pistachios. 

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 10gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 154mgPotassium: 569mgFiber: 6gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 967IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 3mg
Keyword blood oranges, citurs fruit, poppy seed dressing, quinoa, winter salad
Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Missy Sykes Wagman

    February 03, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious

    Reply
    • Nikole

      February 03, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you Missy! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Welcome! I'm Nikole, the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that maximize flavor with minimal effort.

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