This healthy spinach citrus salad combines oranges and grapefruit with a punchy grapefruit and mustard dressing. It is definitely one of the most refreshing salads I've eaten for a long while.
A really healthy salad recipe
When I first made this salad I'd had a few busy weeks and I was feeling like I needed to make some healthy choices. If that's you and you're feeling like you are a bit run down and need something vibrant zesty and healthy then this grapefruit and orange citrus salad is exactly what you need
It looks quite simple and it is. However, it is packed full of flavour. The spinach leaves go really well with the orange and grapefruit segments and the mustard and grapefruit dressing is a revelation! By the way, you might also like my air fried fennel salad which also has a grapefruit vinaigrette.
It's also a great choice if you are looking for vegan salad ideas.
What ingredients are in this spinach and citrus salad?
To make this salad you need
- spinach leaves -I like to use baby leaves as they are more delicate and better for salads. You can read more about the health benefits of spinach here.
- an orange
- a grapefruit - Use white, red or pink grapefruit
Then for the zesty citrus dressing you need
- Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice - Again, it doesn't matter what colour of grapefruit
- Olive oil - I use extra virgin
- Mustard - I use English mustard as it is stronger and my family like a real kick of mustard. However, you can use any kind of mustard but you may need to alter the quantities
- Freshly grated ginger - You can use a paste but I think it has more of a kick if you can grate it freshly.
- Agave nectar - or honey if you don't need it to be vegan
- Salt - You can omit this if you don't like adding salt
You MUST try the grapefruit dressing!
I often add lemon or lime juice to salad dressings but until recently I'd never thought to make a grapefruit vinaigrette. Maybe that's because I just don't buy grapefruits as often.
That really should change as I think this dressing would go so well on all sorts of salads. You can clearly taste the grapefruit but because of the agave nectar it's not too sharp at all. Even the mustard isn't too strong, despite the fact that I used English mustard.
I also added freshly grated root ginger. I am a huge fan of root ginger and add it to lots of my smoothies (like this orange and ginger smoothie) but it's also delicious in this grapefruit vinaigrette.
How to adapt this citrus spinach salad?
In the dressing, the agave nectar can definitely be replaced by honey. I use the two interchangeably in this - It just depends which I grab from the cupboard first! Of course, if you want the salad to be vegan, stick with agave nectar.
As I said, the mustard wasn't too strong in this and you could definitely add a bit more to make it more punchy!
You can also add a little sliced or finely diced red onion. It goes beautifully with the spinach and citrus.
What can you serve with this spinach salad?
This spinach salad is really light and makes a great side salad although you can have it as a main meal. I think it goes brilliantly with grilled chicken or grilled halloumi.
If you're having a barbecue and want a mix of different side salads then this is also a great one to have. The citrus fruits in it are a brilliant way to make grilled meats feel less heavy.
This spinach citrus salad is great for kids
This may not at first look like the most child-friendly recipe but Little Miss Spice loved the citrus fruit. What's more, she even ate a few leaves of spinach along with the dressing. Result!
Recipe
Spinach Citrus Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 200 g spinach washed
- 1 grapefruit peeled and cut into segments
- 1 orange peeled and cut into segments
For the Dressing
- ½ grapefruit juiced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon English mustard or a little more of another variety of mustard
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Divide the spinach between 4 plates and top with the fruit segments
- Whisk all the dressing ingredients together
- Serve the dressing on the salad.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Are you looking for more healthy salad recipes?
Salads make a great meal all year round. So why not check out my main meal salad recipes post?
You might also like the salads I've picked out below. The great thing is that they can be a meal in themselves or just a delicious side dish.
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make this spinach citrus salad recipe or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
You can also stay up to date by following on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Charlotte Oates
I'm the same as you, I use lemon, orange and lime in salad dressings all the time but I'd never thought to try grapefruit, reading this I'll definitely be giving it a try sometime.
Corina
I think I just forget about grapefruit altogether sometimes - such a shame as it's a lovely fruit!
Linda @ 2 Cookin' Mamas
This recipe sounds perfect for this Florida girl. I never thought of making a dressing with grapefruit juice but it's now on my list to try. Great recipe!
Corina
Thank you Linda! I hope you enjoy the dressing.
Eb Gargano
Ooh - I love the sound of this! So refreshing. I do love orange in salads and spinach too - but I'm not sure I've ever tried grapefruit in a savoury salad. I'll have to give that a go. Eb x
Corina
I hadn't tried grapefruit either but it does go really well with spinach and is so refreshing!
shaheen
Its looks super fresh, I love the colour contrast too. Thank you so much for sharing with #EatYourGreens.
Corina
You're welcome! It is a really fresh tasting salad because of all the citrus fruit and the vinaigrette.
hijackedbytwins
This looks so delicious and full of flavour! A perfect summer dish. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Corina
So pleased you like it!
Tes P. Yuphin
The salad looks so fresh and bright 🙂 Yum!
Corina
Thank you Tes!
CJ Huang
I'm thinking I need to try a grapefruit vinaigrette. I bet the flavor was bright and refreshing! 🙂
Corina
Yes, the flavour was lovely. It's definitely something I'll be making again!
Jacqui
Sometime the simple things are the best and this look very much like the case here.
Corina
Exactly! So pleased you like it.
michaela403
Such a delicious sounding salad!
Corina
Thank you! It's the grapefruit vinaigrette that makes it really lovely.
Amy CookingAdventures
Yum! I love spinach salads! This looks so fresh and delicious!
Corina
Thank you! It was lovely and refreshing for summer.
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
This is such a beautiful salad! Perfect for the hot summer weather 🙂
Corina
Thank you Rachel!
Mandy Mazliah
Love the sound of this. I have eaten orange in a salad lots of times but I'm yet to try grapefruit - I bet this is so refreshing! Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare
Corina
I actually haven't eaten orange in a salad since I was a child. I really enjoyed it and it's definitely something I'll try again!
Farrah
I haven't made a salad in way too long--this looks so fresh + tasty!
Corina
It's great for summer too and really quick to throw together!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
This looks like such a fresh, vibrant and bright salad! Lovely 🙂
Corina
Thank you! I'm so pleased you like it!
Julie
Beautiful salad!!
Corina
Thank you Julie!
reneeskitchenadventures
What a nice refreshing summer salad!
Corina
Thank you Renee! It's very light but really tasty.
why i am not skinny
This salad has SUMMER written all over it!
Great SRC choice!
Corina
Exactly! I think that helped my choice!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed being assigned your blog this month Corina. I want to thank you for choosing this recipe for reveal day. The dressing will work perfectly in my new eating plan.
Corina
I'm so pleased you enjoyed looking through my blog and the recipe that you chose. I agree that this dressing is really lovely and great on all types of salads!