Description
A refreshing and vibrant Citrus Arugula Salad featuring peppery arugula, segments of fresh oranges and grapefruit, topped with creamy goat cheese and toasted nuts, all dressed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a bright side dish in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 4 cups arugula (baby or regular)
- 2 oranges (navel or blood oranges), peeled and segmented
- 1 grapefruit (optional), peeled and segmented
- 2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup toasted almonds or pistachios
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds or pistachios until fragrant and slightly golden. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the Citrus: Peel and segment the oranges and grapefruit, carefully removing as much of the bitter membrane as possible to leave only the juicy flesh.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified into a smooth vinaigrette.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the arugula leaves, citrus segments, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated with the citrus vinaigrette.
- Top and Serve: Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and cooled toasted nuts on top of the dressed salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Toasting nuts enhances their flavor and adds a crunchy texture to the salad.
- You can substitute goat cheese with feta for a different tangy profile.
- For a nut-free version, omit the nuts or replace with sunflower seeds.
- This salad is best served fresh; dress right before serving to keep arugula crisp.
- Use fresh citrus juices for the dressing to maximize brightness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
