Mexican Citrus Salad with Avocado, Pepitas, and Orange-Lime Vinaigrette

My job isn’t simply to provide info on dairy alternatives. When I started Go Dairy Free, I made it my mission to share how wonderful dairy-free can be. And there are so many delicious, naturally dairy-free foods! This Mexican citrus salad recipe is just one example. It was shared with me many years ago by beloved food writer, Susan Russo.

This Mexican Citrus Salad Squeezes Nutrition into Dairy-Free Diets

The primary reason I love this salad recipe is because it is delicious, but it also has a side benefit for dairy-free people. It uses fresh oranges and grapefruits, both of which have been linked to better bone health. Yes, multiple studies have correlated citrus with positive bone density in both children and adults.

Susan likes to use blood oranges in this recipe, but regular oranges, or even tangerines, impart equally delicious flavor and seem to have similar health benefits.

Special Diet Notes: Mexican Citrus Salad

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian.

For a paleo Mexican citrus salad, substitute honey for the sugar.

Susan Russo

Mexican Citrus Salad with Orange-Lime Vinaigrette

5 from 1 vote

This zesty salad spans the seasons. It's perfect in the cooler months, when citrus peaks, but also refreshing for summer meals. It serves four people as a side salad, or you can add a protein and make it a meal salad for two. Chicken, shrimp, and tofu all go well with these flavors.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 230

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Orange-Lime Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Cayenne pepper to taste

Salad

• 1 12-ounce bag fresh baby spinach or salad greens
• 1 avocado diced
• 1 orange or blood orange peeled and cut into sections
• 1 pink or ruby red grapefruit peeled and cut into sections
• 3 large radishes or 1/2 purple onion thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro (optional)
• 2 tablespoons toasted pepitas (see below)

Method

 

Orange-Lime Vinaigrette

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the juices, sugar, oil, and cumin until combined.
2. Whisk in the salt and cayenne, as desired. (I use just a pinch)

Salad

1. Divide the spinach or greens between 4 plates.
2. Top each bed of greens with the avocado, orange, grapefruit, radishes or onion, and cilantro. Sprinkle with the pepitas.
3. Drizzle each salad with about 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 19.9gProtein: 6.6gFat: 16.1gSaturated Fat: 3.1gSodium: 114mgFiber: 7.2gSugar: 9.2g

Notes

Toasted Pepitas: Place the pepitas or pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until lightly toasted.

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Greek Orange Salad with Fresh Mint

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