This winter citrus salad is a beautiful blend of blood, and navel oranges, grapefruit slices, and creamy avocado, drizzled, with an orange dijon vinaigrette.This recipe isn’t so much about the salad, as it is about the salad dressing.
I stopped buying bottled dressing many moons ago, as we usually opt for a simple vinaigrette, or even just olive oil and red wine vinegar or lemon juice. I don’t think many people realize how easy, and I mean really easy, it is to make a simple and delicious homemade dressing. (This post was originally published February 16, 2016 and was last updated on August 9th, 2023. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
What kind of oil is best for vinaigrette dressing?
When you read the label on a bottle of “classic Italian” salad dressing, olive oil is almost never listed in the first few ingredients. Avoid canola, vegetable, and seed oils and opt for healthier oils like olive, or avocado oil.
In a classic vinaigrette dressing, olive oil should be the star. This is also the time to use the best olive oil you can afford.
I have no less than 4 different types and qualities of olive oil in my cupboard. I splurge on the best imported olive oil from a local specialty store, (though sometimes I might collect them when I travel) just for drizzling on tomatoes in a Caprese salad or in salad dressing.
Ingredients in orange Dijon vinaigrette
A classic vinaigrette consists of oil, red wine vinegar, or in this case, citrus juice, for acidity, and a bit of sweetness, either from a whisper of sugar or honey. In this dressing, apple cider vinegar gives it a bit of sweetness and punch. Fresh herbs are a nice touch, though not necessary. My go-to fresh herb is thyme. While I love basil, I feel it is decidedly a summer herb. Thyme seems to float effortlessly between all the seasons.
Thyme also grows year-round in my pathway, making it easy to pick and add to just about any dish I prepare. If you stick to the basic vinaigrette rule, and test several types of oils and vinegar, you will find a blend that’s pleasing to your family.
- 4 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to make orange Dijon vinaigrette
- In a small bowl whisk all dressing ingredients together. It can also be made in a mason jar and just shaken until emulsified.
- Serve immediately over salad greens or citrus slices. Store leftover dressing in an airtight container the refrigerator.
While this orange dijon vinaigrette recipe is delicious with winter citrus fruits, it’s also delicious on a simple salad with romaine or butter lettuce. Now that you have the lovely orange dijon dressing, it’s time to make the citrus salad.
How to cut the citrus
Cut off either end of the fruit and cut the peel with a sharp knife, removing skin and white pith (white membrane). Then cut into 1/4″ slices.
How to Make a Citrus Salad
Choose a mix of citrus fruits, from red grapefruit and Cara Cara oranges, to navel and blood oranges, or sumo tangerines, or whatever fresh citrus you can find. You can omit the goat cheese or substitute it for another soft creamy cheese like feta cheese.
- 2 oranges peeled and sliced
- 2 blood oranges peeled and sliced
- 1 grapefruit peeled and sliced
- 2 avocados peeled and sliced
- 1 purple or red onion peeled and sliced thinly
- 8 cups field greens
- 1 head radicchio sliced
- 6 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- Fresh thyme for garnish
Assembling the citrus salad
Tip!
Wash salad greens several hours in advance. A salad dressing or vinaigrette clings better to dry greens!
This simple citrus salad is all about the beautiful presentation and the citrus dressing.
- Depending on how many you’re serving, choose an appropriate sized platter.
- Fill the platter with your favorite greens. I love mixed field greens, and peppery arugula. But butter lettuce would also make a nice base.
- Arrange the citrus slices alternating between size and color over the greens.
- Fill in the gaps with thinly sliced purple onion and radicchio, thin slices of avocado and goat cheese.
- Just before serving, drizzle the tangy vinaigrette over the salad.
- Instead of a platter, make individual salads salads on plates.
Orange Dijon Vinaigrette with Fresh Thyme
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together. (Orange juice through black pepper)
- Serve immediately over salad greens or citrus slices. Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator.
Jelayne says
Beautiful photograph of the Citrus Salad! It looks delicious. I’ve started making my own dressing with some olive oil from our local farmers market and I’ll definitely try your recipe.
Cynthia says
Thank you Jelyane!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Gorgeous salad and vinaigrette with fresh thyme! What a treat. I love a simple dressing like this with fresh herbs, can’t beat it!
Cynthia says
Thank you Allie!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
I’d frame these photos! They make me HAPPY! Not to mention reading what you just wrote about bottled “Italian dressings!” (APPLAUSE) There is a reason it is in quotation marks. I have never seen a bottle of dressing in Italy, although, maybe things may be changing over there as they seem to be copying the American lifestyle in many ways.
Cynthia says
Thank you Christina! xo
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
What a gorgeous salad Cynthia! And wow I am impressed that you never buy the bottled stuff. Homemade dressing is always better but I’m so lazy! But orange dijon?? I need to try this!
Cynthia says
Well, my husband loves his blue cheese dressing…so every once in a while I do buy him some blue cheese. But a homemade salad is so fast and so much healthier than store-bought.
Catherine says
Dear Cynthia, this salad is absolutely gorgeous! All those beautiful colors are enough to brighten any day. Love this. xo, Catherine
Cynthia says
Thank you Catherine!
Mimi says
Wow. I can’t get past those photos!! I have an Emma also – she’s 30. I think every girl under the age of ten is named Emma now!!
Cynthia says
Thank you Mimi! I think you’re right! Emma’s a very popular name now!
Summer says
I would gladly have this for lunch today ♥
summerdaisy.net
Cynthia says
thank you summer!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
My kind of perfect salad. Anything avocado and citrus is so perfect right now!
Vicky @AvocadoPesto says
I too am all about making salad dressing from scratch — so much better for you than the store bought. I am all about the basil and actually never cook with or use thyme in my recipes but need to give it a chance! Love the sound of this salad dressing!
Cynthia says
I use basil mostly in the summer since it grows in my garden then…thyme grows year round so I tend to use it more in the winter and spring. I also think thyme has a much more subtle flavor for vinaigrettes.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Such a beauty Cynthia! I just love salads like this.
Cynthia says
Thank you Brandon!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
Wow! This is gorgeous 🙂 Love the vinaigrette ingredients!
Cynthia says
thank you Megan!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
WOW! This is a gorgeous salad. Love the avocados and citrus paired with this vinaigrette. 🙂
Cynthia says
Thank you so much!
Diane says
How much avocado? The ingredients don’t list it.
Diane says
Sorry – I see, it’s a dressing recipe, with the other ingredients to be determined by whoever makes it. Looks delish!
Cynthia says
Well, it’s just a salad, so you could add one or 3. Same with the citrus, depending on how much salad you want, and how much you like, the salad dressing will make enough for several salads.
Jess says
Wow, talk about delicious! I especially love your food-tography 🙂 totally pinning, have a great day! xo
Lauren says
The most beautiful salad I’ve seen! And looks so tasty too.
Sumit says
Eating salad is really good for health. Thanks for sharing such an awesome heavenly recipe. I hope you will like Cottage Cheese and Spinach Wonton Recipe Link is here https://amazingshining.com/cottage-cheese-and-spinach-wonton-recipe/
Nancy Baldrige Adams says
Simple. Easy. Delicious..
Cynthia says
thank you!
Jill is Mad About Macarons says
This looks and sounds fabulous, Cynthia. Love all the ingredients and a lovely touch with the citrus and goat’s cheese. We love Dijon mustard too!
Cynthia says
Thanks! It’s a lovely wintery salad!
Mahy says
I miss fruit salads so much! It’s been a while since I made one, so this recipe is very timely.
Cynthia says
Perfect for the holidays too!
Jamie says
This is such a beautiful citrus salad! I love all the colors and the dressing is so flavorful!
Cynthia says
Thank you!
Charles says
Your wonderful Citrus Salad is also quite beautiful and healthy! Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia says
Thank you!
Sara Welch says
This was equally delicious and it was beautiful! So easy and satisfying; definitely a new favorite salad!
Anjali says
This salad was so refreshing and delicious! Love the honey in the dressing – it really highlighted the citrus ingredients so well!