Gluten-Free Citrus Salad

This beautiful gluten-free Citrus Salad with fennel and avocado is made with oranges, grapefruit, avocado and finished with mint and a refreshing home-made citrus dressing. While this salad is made to impress, it is super easy to make and comes together in a just 10 minutes.

My favorite thing about this salad is how beautiful it looks on the plate. Furthermore, it is truly eye-catching for the holidays, parties, or just a weeknight that you wanted to eat something extra special.

This salad boasts bold citrus flavor in every bite. It is not only vibrant, but loaded with nutrients and is healthy eating at its finest. This gluten-free citrus salad will brighten up any winter day! It’s refreshing and light. But honestly, this salad is great any time of the year.

HOME-MADE CITRUS DRESSING

Home-made dressing really elevates this salad up a notch. Home made dressings are easier to make at home than you might think. All you need is a bowl and a whisk. For this simple dressing, whisk and combine these ingredients for a super flavorful dressing. With the citrus being the primary acidic ingredient, honey serving as a balanced sweetener, with various add-ins that are typically shallots, garlic or fresh herbs.

• Olive Oil
• Citrus Champagne Dressing
• Dijon Mustard
• Salt and Pepper
• The juice from 1 Lime
• The juice from 1 Lemon

BENEFITS OF EATING GLUTEN-FREE CITRUS SALAD

For one thing, this salad provides a huge boost of immune boosting Vitamin C, but it also such a happy salad to make. The smell of citrus makes me think of warm weather and palm trees.

EASY SALAD TO MAKE FOR EVERY SEASON

Living in New England, we have some amazing local Farmer’s Markets from Spring to Fall. I always like to buy fruit that is in season. We get long winters here, and while the day’s are short, that doesn’t mean we cannot bring a little sunshine in with our food.

Eating foods that are not only visually appealing but also healthy is so important for our overall health and mental functionality. Foods that nourish us helps us be happier and healthier. I was taught that to eat healthy, you want to avoid the middle aisles of the grocery stores and stick to fresh fruits, veggies and meats. All the middle aisles for the most part have processed food that isn’t always the best for us.

This salad is easy to make for every season because oranges and grapefruits are readily available all year long even in New England. I know that when blood oranges come out which is usually December and can last until April, that they will definitely be added to this yummy salad. Blood oranges are so fantastic to eat and enjoy. My Blood Orange Bourbon Smash would go great with this salad.

HOW TO PEEL AND CUT CITRUS FRUITS

I like to use Grapefruit and Oranges for this recipe. When blood oranges are in season, I make this salad the same except for the addition of the blood oranges.

Blood oranges are one my favorite fruits. First being-the most beautiful color. I also like that blood oranges are not overly sweet. The blood orange goes very well with the tarte grapefruit and the sweet oranges. Tangerines and clementines would also work well for this recipe.

To showcase the fruits sweet flavor and texture make sure you cut the ends of the orange and grapefruit. Stand each fruit upright and use a sharp knife to cut off the peel and any white pith. Make sure you follow the curves of the fruit. Slice the citrus crosswise into thin rounds.

WHY USING A HIGH QUALITY OLIVE OIL IS IMPORTANT FOR A HOME-MADE SALAD DRESSING

What is Olive Oil? Olive oil is a cooking oil made by pressing fresh grapes. It typically has a dark green or golden hue and a wonderful buttery taste with a slight hint of pepper undertones. Olive oil is considered the healthiest of the cooking oils.

What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil? Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and the most expensive olive oil available that you can buy. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for salad dressings as it adds a peppery taste. Even the most simple of salad dressings can be elevated by using a high quality olive oil.

ASSEMBLING THE GLUTEN-FREE CITRUS SALAD

Once you have the dressing made and your citrus is sliced, you are ready for the best part. Now, lets assemble this salad so we can eat!

For the base of this salad, I have found that Arugula pairs the best for this simple salad. Arugula has a nice peppery taste and is the perfect balance for all the citrus flavors. If arugula is not your fave- you can use spinach or kale. I recommend drizzling a little of the dressing on the arugula before adding the fruit.

Next, arrange the citrus on top of the arugula. Top with avocado slices and mint leaves. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve immediately. You can let it sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together. This salad is best eaten right when made.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

• 5 Cups Arugula
• 2 Oranges
• 1 Grapefruit
• 1 Avocado
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 Lemon
• Honey
• Citrus Champagne Vinegar
• 1 Lime
• Olive Oil
• Mint

INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE CITRUS SALAD

• First, make the home-made citrus salad dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon and lime juice, honey, citrus champagne vinegar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Cut the ends off of the oranges and grapefruit. Stand each fruit upright and using a sharp knife, cut off the peel and all the white pith, following the curves of the fruit. Slice the citrus crosswise into rounds.
• Place the arugula on a platter. I like to drizzle a little of salad dressing over the arugula. Just make sure you don’t use all the dressing. You want to save most of it to drizzle over the fruit.
• Arrange the citrus on top of the arugula.
• Top with the avocado slices.
• Garnish with mint.
• Drizzle the remaining dressing over the citrus.
• Serve immediately or let sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Gluten Free Citrus Salad

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

This beautiful gluten-free Citrus Salad with Fennel and Avocado is made with oranges, grapefruit, avocado and finished with mint and a refreshing home-made citrus dressing. While this salad is made to impress, it is super easy to make and comes together in a just 10 minutes.

• Author: Allie
• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Total Time: 10 Minutes
• Yield: 3 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: No Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 Cups Arugula
• 2 Oranges
• 1 Grapefruit
• 1 Avocado
• Chopped Mint Leaves for a garnish

For the Dressing-

• 1/4 Good Quality Olive Oil
• The juice from 1 Lime
• The juice from 1 Lemon
• 1/2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tbsp Citrus Champagne Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

• First, make the home-made citrus salad dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon and lime juice, honey, citrus champagne vinegar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Cut the ends off of the oranges and grapefruit. Stand each fruit upright and using a sharp knife, cut off the peel and all the white pith, following the curves of the fruit. Slice the citrus crosswise into rounds.
• Place the arugula on a platter. I like to drizzle a little of salad dressing over the arugula. Just make sure you don’t use all the dressing. You want to save most of it to drizzle over the fruit.
• Arrange the citrus on top of the arugula.
• Top with the avocado slices.
• Garnish with mint.
• Drizzle the remaining dressing over the citrus.
• Serve immediately or let sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Notes

• This salad does best eaten right after it’s prepared.  

Keywords: Gluten Free Citrus Salad, Avocados, Citrus, Oranges, Grapefruit, Lime, Lemon, Home made Citrus Dressing, Salads, Summer

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