A healthy, light, and flavorful winter citrus & arugula salad with cranberry orange dressing. It's great for a holiday dinner or anytime that you want a fresh and flavorful salad. If you like this, you'll also love our Arugula and Fennel Salad with Fried Lemons.
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CITRUS SALAD WITH ARUGULA
There will come a time—usually mid-winter—when you are going to crave a fresh and crisp salad. That’s when you’re going to want to whip up this winter citrus and arugula salad with cranberry orange dressing.
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For me, that craving came right after the loooonnnnnggggg New Year’s weekend. Four days of heavy foods, wine, champs, and chocolate coconut cupcakes. #toomuchfun
If you’re like me and you want something refreshing, yet seasonal, then this is the salad for you.
WINTER CITRUS SALAD IS FILLED WITH VITAMIN C
Right now citrus, such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes are taking center stage in the produce section.
Take advantage! All of that vitamin C will help protect you from the horrible winter colds and viruses floating around right now.
You could use any green that you want, but I like arugula for this salad because of its peppery taste. The flavor compliments the bright and tangy red grapefruit and blood orange perfectly.
So this salad…..
I ate the entire bowl and then made another for breakfast if that gives you any indication of how good it is.
The cranberry orange dressing.is what makes this simple combination of fruit and veggies extraordinary
HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY ORANGE SALAD DRESSING
My friend served a similar salad on New Year’s Eve and I loved the dressing. She shared the recipe with me and the minute I read it I knew that I needed to put my own spin on it.
Two tablespoons of sugar and two types of vinegar—one that contains honey—wasn’t what I was after. Remember, #toomuchfun will result in #pantswon’tbutton.
Soooo, I added cranberry juice and took out the regular OJ, the sugar, the complicated vinegar duo, and the half cup of olive oil.
Initially, I put a quarter of a cup of olive oil in the first batch that I made, but it masked the flavor of the juices, so I started over and added a half teaspoon just to make it stick to the lettuce. Less is best.
The mix of tart cranberry and sweet blood orange is so fantastic on this winter citrus salad. I only put a pinch of cloves in the second batch of dressing and the flavor was a savory after thought instead of an obvious, howdy, I’m clove, nice to meet you.
ADDING SOME CRUNCH
I also skipped the sugary nuts and just chopped up some raw almonds for a little crunch and protein.
You won't find vegan cheese or pears (I wasn’t feeling them, you can certainly add them if you want) in this salad, just fresh red grapefruit, blood orange, peppery arugula, shaved fennel, and the extraordinarily delicious and light cranberry orange dressing.
Simple. Healthy. Low Calorie. Yum.
This winter citrus salad is my new winter pick-me-up.
It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Double or triple the recipe and store it undressed in an airtight container so you can have some whenever the craving hits.
I hope you enjoy the Winter Citrus and Arugula Salad with Cranberry Orange Dressing as much as I do. I also hope you like the list of our favorites. Maybe one or two will become your favorite too.
Make our recipe and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.
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WINTER CITRUS & ARUGULA SALAD WITH OIL-FREE CRANBERRY ORANGE DRESSING
Ingredients
- For the salad:
- 6 cups arugula
- 2 cups shredded fennel
- 1 large red grapefruit- peeled with pith removed and sliced
- 2 blood oranges- peeled with pit removed and sliced
- ½ cup coarsely chopped raw almonds
- For the dressing:
- ¼ cup cranberry juice
- ¼ cup blood orange juice
- ¼ cup champagne vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon olive oil
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Finely ground sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl layer the grapefruit, blood orange, fennel, and almonds on the arugula.
- In a small bowl whisk the cranberry juice, blood orange juice, vinegar, cloves, olive oil, and sea salt until well blended.
- Pour the dressing on the salad and toss to coat.
- Note: If you plan on storing the salad for late put the amount you want to save aside before dressing. Store it in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. Dress when ready to eat
Notes
Nutrition
PIN ME!
robyn young says
hi! if i cant get blood orange could I sub for regular?! thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Robyn! Yes, that's absolutely fine. Enjoy!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
What a great winter salad, Linda! 🙂 I also love Alex's list of her top ten favorite things! The boots look so cute.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Sina! Yes, Alex's list is a good one, and those boots are awesome. 🙂
WholeFoodBellies says
Oh this sounds so delicious! I love the zing of grapefruit in salads - so fresh!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! It's a perfect cold winter salad.
Gin says
I love the sound of grapefruit and arugula with that tart, yummy dressing! Lots of flavor and a total vitamin C overload, perfect for this time of year!
Linda Meyer says
Thank so much, Gin! The dressing is sweet and tart, a great combo. 🙂
The Vegan 8 says
Such a pretty salad Linda! And this was a great post, so many fantastic product ideas, I really like the sound of that candle! My favorite kitchen appliance by far is my food processor....I use it nearly daily!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Brandi! Thymes candles are the best. They have a Fraser fur fragrance that's amazing. I buy several of them during the Christmas season and my house smells so good. The gingerbread is also fabulous.
Kathy Hester says
That salad looks so vibrant and I can't wait to make it for lunch tomorrow!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Kathy! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
This salad looks great and the dressing looks amazing! I love a bit of citrus in my salads.
My favourite kitchen appliances are my Cuisinart Food processor and my brand spanking new Blendtec that i got in a sale last week. The counter is already up to 30 and I've only had it 7 days!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Mel! Your blendtec has a counter? Nice! I love mine, but it's an older model. Now I want a new one-haha!
nicoleanndawson says
Such a great looking recipe and Top 10 list. My 2 favorite kitchen gadgets would be my Keurig (because I have to have my coffee) and my Blendtec which gets used all the time. That blender is not only great for smoothies and juices, but also batters, soups and dressings. Looks like I'll be mixing up your dressing next.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Nicole! Yes, I love my Blendtec. I use it for everything.
Jyothi@currytrail.in says
Bitter, sweet, sour, peppery, crunchy... what's not to like about this salad. Fresh and delicious... I only wish I can get my hands on those delicious grape fruit and those peppery arugula...but it wont stop me , i'm gonna try it with what I can get here, oranges and some spinach leaves...:D
Linda Meyer says
That will work! Thanks, Jyothi. 🙂
Jenn says
I absolutely love arugula and citrus together. Such a great refreshing combo! And my favorite kitchen gadget is by far my food processor, followed closely by my Vitamix and Instant Pot. Couldn't survive without those three!
Linda Meyer says
Such a great combination. I have to get an Instant Pot. Everyone is talking about it. Thanks, Jenn!
spabettie says
I LOVE citrus in salads, and arugula is one of my favorites - this sounds fantastic!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks! It's one of my favorite salad combinations.
foodhuntersguide says
I love when people dress up salads. NO boring salad here.
Linda Meyer says
Life is too short for boring. 🙂 Thanks, Theresa!
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
This salad sounds and looks perfect to combat mid-winter blahs, thanks! And great list of favorites - thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! It will definitely give you a boost. 🙂
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
I want to drink your salad dressing straight up - looks delicious. Any my favorite kitchen appliance is my VitaMix. Love it!
Linda Meyer says
If not for the vinegar and tiny bit of oil I'd drink it. 🙂 Alex loves her VitaMix too. She uses it everyday.
Lucie says
Yum! Such a great salad recipe for the season, so many vitamins. I better stock up on some arugula 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Lucie! It's a yummy way to help prevent a winter virus. 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
What a flavor sensation- I love the tart flavors paired with the spicy arugula!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Arman! Sweet and spicy is one of my favorite combinations. 🙂
Howie Fox says
I love love looooove these kind of salads!! Bitter, sweet, sour, crunchy - all in one bowl. if done right, salads are exciting!! Thanks for the recipe, Linda 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Howie! Yes, this is a powerhouse of flavors. Thanks for checking on my comments issue too. I so appreciate your help!
Strength and Sunshine says
I want to pour that perfectly tart and sweet dressing on EVERYTHING!!
And o boy...the cast iron! That IS my favorite "appliance/gadget" I'm still literally cooking EVERYTHING in it! It makes everything come out amazing no matter!
Linda Meyer says
It's a really good dressing, and almost oil-free. Right?! I love, love, love my cast iron skillets. Thanks, friend! And thanks for all of your help with my comments issue. You're the best!
SuzLyfe says
This reminds me of an amazing salad that I KNOW you would love at D4. Kale, hearts of palm, grapefruit, pinenuts, avocado, fennel? (i can't remember but I hope so!). So delicious.
Linda Meyer says
YUM! I love hearts of palm. The pinenuts and avocado are a great addition too. I'm going to have to try that. Thanks, Susie!