citrus salad with basil vinaigrette
citrus salad with basil vinaigrette

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

5/5
Celebrate citrus season with the bright flavors of cara cara navels and a lemon-enhanced basil vinaigrette. I like to serve this salad for crowds because the clean flavors compliment savory main dishes. Use a bullet blender or double the recipe for the vinaigrette to fully cover the blades of your blender.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

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I’ve practically given myself whiplash with the number of times a ripening orange or grapefruit tree enters my field of vision. When it comes to citrus, I’m like a black Friday shopper; I wait all year long to fill my shopping bags to the brim. So let’s kick off the season with a truly worthy citrus salad with basil vinaigrette, shall we?

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

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Any time I interact with a dish, I try to ask myself, “is this special? Will it be remembered?” That’s this salad. What makes this citrus salad with basil vinaigrette memorable is a very special navel called the cara cara. Just look at that orange red flesh!

Upon first glance, it may look like a grapefruit on the inside, but the taste is like an incredibly musky navel orange with a hint of tangerine. I first came across this orange at a farmer’s market 2 years ago, and we’ve been besties ever since.

Speaking of best friends, I’ve got the absolute best basil vinaigrette recipe that you’re going to want to put on absolutely everything (and I only share this one with friends). It’s my fabulous salad secret weapon, and it’s a real crowd favorite.

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Notice the “supreme” on the orange segments. Remove the pith for a restaurant quality salad.

How to blend a dinner size portion of salad dressing


You may want to double the recipe and keep it in the fridge to smear copiously over pasta. I make it in a bullet blender, which is great for making small portions BUT if you try to make this in a wide base it may need to be doubled to cover the blades. Alternatively, use an immersion blender or food processor.

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Have you ever tasted cara cara oranges? How would you describe them?

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Citrus Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Celebrate citrus season with the bright flavors of cara cara navels and a lemon-enhanced basil vinaigrette. I like to serve this salad for crowds because the clean flavors compliment savory main dishes. Use a bullet blender or double the recipe for the vinaigrette to fully cover the blades of your blender.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: citrus, gluten free, salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 159kcal
Author: Chef Sara Furcini

Ingredients

Amazing Basil Vinaigrette

  • 2 oz fresh basil
  • 1 whole lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic smashed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • ground black pepper to taste

Citrus Salad

  • 1 box mesclun greens mix
  • 2 whole carra carra navel oranges supremed
  • 1/2 whole avocado diced
  • 2 oz burrata cheese torn
  • fresh dill for garnish
  • red pepper flakes for seasoning

Instructions

Make the Basil Vinaigrette

  • Combine all the ingredients into the blender. Blend until completely smooth and set aside.

Make the Salad

  • Spread the mesclun salad greens on a platter and top beautifully with supremed orange segments, avocado, and burrata cheese. Sprinkle with fresh dill fronds and red pepper flakes.
  • Serve the basil vinaigrette in a ramekin next to the salad or spoon over top if serving right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 41mg | Vitamin A: 845IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Thank you for being here! Did you make this recipe? Click on the star rating or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how you got on. Connect with me @thefrayedapron on Instagram or Pinterest.

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Judy
Judy
4 years ago

Obsessed! I do not make salad often enough! Everytime I eat an amazing salad like this I swear I”m going to do better. So so good ..

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