If you’ve ever eaten at our house, or really anywhere I’m doing a bit of the cooking, I’ve probably busted out some version of this avocado citrus salad. It’s my go to. Everyone likes it, at least that’s what you all tell me, and you can generally find good quality ingredients all year long.
Like most things, this wasn’t an original idea on my part. It’s an adaptation of one of my favorite salads, from one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, Dmitri’s. When I was younger my parents would bring me home food on Friday nights after their dinner date. Rather than actually going out to eat with them, I would insist on staying home ’cause I was finally old enough to do so, and every time I would ask them to bring me some food home. This salad was my #1 request. The original version at Dmitri’s is served over chopped romaine, sprinkled with slivered, toasted almonds, dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar and lots of black pepper.
I’ve done a few variations of this myself over the years using mixed greens instead of romaine, adding in sliced fennel when it was in season or even trying it over grilled lettuce. But, for this version, I oped for no lettuce and kept it as more of a side dish. I wanted it to be like a vegetarian sashimi plate, maybe, just bare with me…
I’ve probably busted out some version of this avocado citrus salad. It’s my go to. Everyone likes it, at least that’s what you all tell me, and you can generally find good quality ingredients all year long.
Avocado Citrus Salad with Grapefruit & Toasted Almonds
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this avocado citrus salad is the perfect balance of creamy, juicy, and crunchy. With ripe avocado, sweet oranges, tangy grapefruit, and toasted almonds, it’s a simple salad that’s packed with flavor and looks gorgeous. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing winter citrus salad or a quick summer dish, this recipe delivers in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Easy to Make – Minimal cooking required, you’re really only toasting some almonds, and then slicing and assembling.
- Versatile – Serve it as a side, appetizer, or add protein to make it a complete meal.
- Seasonal & Fresh – Perfect for when winter citrus is in season but delicious all year-round.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Orange Avocado Salad
With this salad, if you don’t want to fuss over the plating, don’t. The colors and flavors will stand all on their own. Just make sure your avocados are ripe. A hard avocado won’t cut it here.
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 grapefruit, cut into segments
- 1 orange, cut into segments
- Handful of sliced almonds, toasted
- Chives, finely chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Ingredient Notes & Swaps
- Citrus Options: Swap out the citrus with whatever you have that is seasonal and available. Pomelo, tangerines or blood oranges are all great options when available.
- Nut Alternatives: No almonds? Try pistachios, walnuts or hazelnuts instead. Any toasted nut you like works. You want some extra crunch and the nutty flavor pairs so well with the avocado.
- Add Protein: Top with grilled shrimp, alongside grilled scallops, roasted chicken, crispy roasted chickpeas or burrata to make it a main dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Slice and Your Avocado and Citrus
Slice the avocado thinly.
Cut the grapefruit and orange into segments, removing any seeds.
Toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden and fragrant. - Assemble the Salad
Arrange the avocado slices on a plate.
Scatter over the orange and grapefruit segments between the avocado slices.
Top with toasted almonds and finely chopped chives. - Dress & Serve
Drizzle with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper (make sure to salt the avocado well).
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
As a Side Dish: Pairs well with grilled lamb chops, shrimp pil pil, or crispy chicken cutlets.
For a Light Lunch: Add arugula or mixed greens and a handful of quinoa or chickpeas for extra texture and a more filling salad.
Storage Tips
I recommend you enjoy this salad fresh, but you can prep the citrus and almonds ahead of time for quick assembly when you’re ready to eat.
To keep avocado from browning, coat lightly with lemon juice and store in an airtight container for up to a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this avocado citrus salad ahead of time?
Yes! Prep the citrus and almonds in advance. Add the avocado and dressing just before serving to keep it fresh.
What citrus fruits work best in this salad?
Grapefruit, oranges, and blood oranges add a great mix of sweetness and tanginess. Tangerines, Pomelo or Meyer lemons can also be used for variety and when they’re in season.
How do I keep avocados from turning brown in a salad?
Be sure to drizzle over lots of the citrus juice on the avocado to slow down the oxidation, and serve the salad immediately after assembling.
Some other citrus salads you might like:
Arugula Salad With Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Pomelo
Peppery arugula, tangy pomelo, nutty pine nuts, and salty parmesan make the perfect Italian-inspired salad.
Grilled Chicken Paillard
Grilled chicken paillard topped with a fresh orange, grapefruit and fennel salad.
Chicken Cutlets with Arugula and Pomelo
Crispy cutlets topped with arugula and pomelo salad.
Crispy Fried Pork Cutlets With Citrus Arugula Salad
Perfectly crispy fried pork cutlets (pork Milanese) paired with a bright citrus arugula salad. this easy boneless pork cutlet recipe is quick to make and so delicious!
Fennel Orange Salad
A shaved fennel salad with blood orange, thyme and toasted walnuts over breaded chicken cutlets.
Did you make this recipe?
This avocado citrus salad is a simple yet impressive dish that’s packed with fresh flavors. Whether you’re serving it as a light starter or a vibrant side, it’s guaranteed to brighten up your table. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
Did you try this avocado orange salad? Leave a comment and 5-star review below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Avocado Orange Salad
Ingredients
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 grapefruit cut into segments
- 1 orange cut into segments
- handful of sliced almonds toasted
- chives finely chopped
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- This salad looks so good with the contrasting colors, bright greens from the avocado and the orange and pink from the citrus. It’s hard to mess up. You can either chop everything up into bit sized pieces, toss and eat up. Or, you can plate it up all fancy if you like. Here I took the fancy route.
- Cut your avocado into thin slices and fan a few slices out in your hand and arrange around the plate. Next place your sliced citrus anywhere on the plate you don’t have avocado. Scatter some toasted sliced almonds and chives on top and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Make sure to get the salt on the avocado, you want it to be seasoned. That’s it. Eat up!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
3 thoughts on Avocado Citrus Salad
I crave this salad n live in jersey
You’re close by then! It’s such a good summer salad. Super refreshing.