This salad blends the best of summer ingredients for a fresh salad and puts grapefruit and oranges to excellent use.

The combination of tart fruits and spinach makes this an excellent palate cleanser. Easy to assemble and very light and refreshing. It is the most delicious orange grapefruit salad I have made in the past months.

Spinach Salad With Citrus Dressing

Spinach salad with citrus is a perfect addition to any menu. 

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As you can see, the recipe demands one grapefruit and grapefruit juice. There is no need to buy two grapefruits.

Once you peel and remove the membranes of the grapefruits, you can collect enough to use with the dressing.

In this Article

Here are a few helpful tips for the ingredients needed to make this delicious orange, grapefruit, and spinach salad

This is a quick introduction. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.

Olive oil: The base of all vinaigrettes. EVOO or any of your choosing will work beautifully with this citrus salad.

White wine vinegar: Lighter and perfect balance with the grapefruit juice and the segments of oranges and grapefruits. 

Grapefruit juice: The right amount of acidity that balances well with the spinach

Sugar: To balance the acidity of this recipe for citrus salad.

Orange zest: the natural oils of the orange, mixed with the grapefruit and the salad, are just incredible. With the sugar, they are balanced and bring a new level of flavor.

Salt: You need to balance the orange juice given while cutting and blend well with the white vinegar.

Cinnamon: Odd as this may sound, you must try it. It brings all the flavors together.

Fresh spinach: Baby spinach are my favorite as they are tender to the bite. I remove the stem of the spinach as I am not fond of them. Do as you wish here. Do wash them well, as they tend to collect soil tucked into the stem. 

Grapefruit: Large and plump and with lots of flavor, the bitterness balances off the sweetness of the orange.

Orange: Navel oranges, cara cara oranges, or blood oranges are excellent for this salad.

Almonds: Toasted and added to the salad, make for a great addition. The chopped almonds absorb the juice and are pretty tasty when you bite into them. 

Spinach Salad With Citrus Dressing

Equipment needed

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I only recommend what I use and love. I am confident that you have all the below in your pantry.

Large bowl: To prepare this wonderful citrus salad recipe.

Sharp utility knife: Cut off the peel and separate the meaty part of the orange and grapefruit from the membrane.

Salad spinner: I cannot live without mine. Washing salad is simple. Rinse with cold water and spin to remove excess water. A must in all kitchens. 

Spinach Salad With Citrus Dressing

How to make orange and grapefruit segments

As you can see, we used the orange flesh. To achieve that, we just had to take a few easy steps.

First, do this over a bowl to collect all the juices running off your orange when cutting. You will be using them to create your vinaigrette.

  • Cut off both ends of your orange just enough to expose the flesh.
  • Then remove all the outer skin and white pith with a steady and curved movement following the fruit.
  • Put the orange with the orange end facing down. Use a sharp knife to remove the peel; be careful not to take off too much fruit.

Now you have an entire outer peel-free orange. Now let’s tackle the internal part.

  • To cut the orange segments, use a small sharp knife. Start from the inside and stop halfway at the center. Make sure not to cut through the membranes.
  • Continue around the entire orange, cutting out each segment and leaving behind the membrane.
Spinach Salad With Citrus Dressing

Tips and step-by-step on how to make this wonderful simple spinach salad with citrus

The success of this beautiful citrus salad with spinach rests on a few tips. 

  • Prepare the dressing early to give the ingredients time to blend well.
  • Peel and separate the grapefruit and orange and place in a large serving bowl.
  • Wash and add the spinach to your large bowl containing the citrus segments.
  • Mix gently well and add sprinkle the chopped almonds.

I use very little salt and no pepper with this dish. You can add a couple of grinds of pepper if you do wish.

What pairs well with this spinach citrus salad?

The possibilities are endless, and here are a few suggestions for you to try this orange salad with:

Tequila Shrimps with Prosciutto and Basil.  

Individual Meatloaf,  

Chicken Spatchcocked

The possibilities are endless, as you can enjoy it as a light lunch on the go.

Spinach Salad With Citrus Dressing

Variations for this delicious side dish

Enjoy this salad all year round, whether a refreshing summer dish or a citrus winter salad.

  • During the holiday season, add pomegranate seeds to add a spark of festive color to this orange citrus salad. 
  • Add a few leaves of fresh mint for a refreshing summer salad.
  • Thinly sliced red onion to add another layer of flavor.
  • Use mixed greens instead of spinach. Some salads wilt faster, so mix the dressing right before serving.

Can I make this easy citrus salad ahead of time?

You can prepare all the salad ingredients separately and add them when serving.

You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and chill it. 

If you enjoyed this recipe for spinach salad with citrus, check out these flavorful recipes:

Pork Tenderloin Scaloppine with Balsamic Citrus Sauce

Cucumber and Orange Salad

Crunchy Fried Shrimp

Chicken With Leeks and Lemon

Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

5 from 6 votes
spinach salad with citrus
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Giangi Townsend
This salad blends the best of summer ingredients for a fresh salad and puts to excellent use grapefruit and oranges.
Print Pin

Ingredients 

DRESSING

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon grated orange zest
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

SALAD

  • 4 ounces fresh spinach, stemmed , washed and dried
  • 1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
  • 1 orange, , peeled and sectioned
  • ¼ cup almonds, chopped almonds, toasted

Instructions

  • Mix together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.
  • Place the spinach, fruits in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat well. Sprinkle the almonds over the salad and toss again.

Notes

Variations for this delicious side dish

Enjoy this salad all year round, whether a refreshing summer dish or a citrus winter salad.
  • During the holiday season, add pomegranate seeds to add a spark of festive color to this orange citrus salad. 
  • Add a few leaves of fresh mint for a refreshing summer salad.
  • Thinly sliced red onion to add another layer of flavor.
  • Use mixed greens instead of spinach. Some salads wilt faster, so mix the dressing right before serving.
  • Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to your winter citrus salad recipe for a creamier and richer dressing. You will love it.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3394IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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