Winter Fruit Citrus Salad (Printable)
Fresh winter fruits with citrus and a light, zesty dressing for a bright and healthy dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 2 medium oranges, peeled and segmented
02 - 1 large grapefruit, peeled and segmented
03 - 2 medium apples, cored and diced
04 - 1 ripe pear, cored and diced
05 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (150 g)
06 - 1 small banana, sliced (optional)
07 - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved (75 g)
→ Dressing
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
10 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
11 - 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
13 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (30 g, optional)
# Directions:
01 - Place orange and grapefruit segments, diced apples and pear, pomegranate seeds, banana slices if using, and halved grapes into a large bowl.
02 - Whisk together lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and grated orange zest in a small bowl until well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the fruit mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
04 - Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter, sprinkle with chopped mint and toasted nuts if desired, and serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's naturally sweet and refreshing without any complicated techniques or fancy equipment.
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together right before serving, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining.
- The combination of textures—juicy, crisp, and crunchy—keeps every bite interesting.
02 -
- Add your dressing no more than 2 hours before serving, or the fruit starts to break down and release too much liquid.
- If you're making this ahead, keep the fruit and dressing separate, then toss them together right before guests arrive.
- The pomegranate seeds add tartness—if your fruit selection is already quite tart, reduce the amount of lemon juice slightly.
03 -
- If you're using a pear that feels rock-hard, buy it a day or two ahead and let it ripen on your counter—it'll be worth the wait.
- Grapefruit can sometimes feel bitter; taste a small piece before committing to a whole one, and don't hesitate to swap it out for a second orange or tangerine instead.