Sunny Citrus Avocado Spinach Salad

When the weather warms up, or frankly, any time of year, a truly refreshing and vibrant Citrus Spinach Salad with Avocados, Oranges, and Dried Cranberries is an absolute delight. This exquisite salad is perfectly complemented by a simple, yet incredibly flavorful Dijon Vinaigrette, crafted with the brightness of fresh orange and lemon juice. It’s a culinary experience that promises to invigorate your senses.

Far from being limited to a specific season, this versatile salad recipe shines year-round. Fresh, juicy oranges are readily available throughout the calendar, making this particular Spinach Salad Recipe a fantastic and healthy addition to any meal, whether it’s a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a colorful contribution to a gathering. Its bright flavors and diverse textures make it an instant favorite, offering a burst of sunshine no matter the season.

Contents

Why You Must Make This Refreshing Citrus Spinach Salad

This incredibly simple spinach salad is a breeze to assemble, requiring minimal effort yet delivering an extraordinary symphony of flavors and textures that harmonize perfectly. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a quick, impressive dish.
Every element of this salad contributes to a complete sensory experience. From the crisp freshness of the baby spinach to the succulent, juicy segments of supremed oranges, the rich creaminess of perfectly ripe avocados, and the delightful chewiness of dried cranberries – every base is covered, creating a truly satisfying bite.
When seasonal favorites like garden-fresh summer tomatoes are out of reach, this vibrant winter-friendly salad recipe offers a delicious and equally appealing alternative. It brings a much-needed brightness and nutritional boost during colder months, packed with vitamin C and healthy fats.
Beyond its incredible taste, this salad is packed with health benefits. Spinach provides iron and vitamins K and A, oranges offer a substantial dose of vitamin C, and avocados contribute healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, making it a genuinely nourishing meal.
Its versatility makes it perfect for various occasions. Serve it as a light and healthy main course, a vibrant side dish to grilled chicken or fish, or as a colorful addition to a potluck or brunch spread.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Citrus Spinach Salad

Kitchen Staples: These fundamental ingredients form the backbone of your vinaigrette and ensure a balanced flavor profile. You’ll need granulated sugar to balance the acidity, a neutral vegetable oil (canola oil is an excellent choice for its light flavor), a pinch of salt to enhance all the other tastes, freshly ground black pepper for a subtle kick, and classic Dijon mustard (like Grey Poupon) for its emulsifying properties and pungent, tangy depth.
Salad Greens: For an optimal mix of texture and color, I recommend using a combination of tender baby spinach and crisp baby romaine. Baby spinach provides a soft, delicate base, while baby romaine adds a satisfying crunch and a slightly bitter note that complements the sweet fruit. Feel free to use all baby spinach, or experiment with other mild greens such as spring mix or butter lettuce. Always ensure your greens are thoroughly washed and dried to prevent a watery salad and allow the dressing to cling better.
Oranges: The key to enjoying oranges in a salad is “supreming” them. This technique involves peeling the orange, then carefully cutting out the segments between the membranes. This not only makes the orange more pleasant to eat by removing any tough pith or membrane but also releases their natural juices, adding to the salad’s overall moisture and flavor. Choose firm, heavy oranges for the best juice and flavor.
Avocados: Select ripe but firm avocados. Cut them in half lengthwise, carefully remove the pit, and then cube the flesh. To minimize oxidation (the browning that occurs when avocados are exposed to air), it’s crucial to either cut them just before serving or gently toss the cubes in a portion of your prepared Dijon vinaigrette. The acid in the dressing acts as a natural barrier against browning.
Dried Cranberries: Often sold as Craisins, these add a wonderful chewy texture and a sweet-tart burst of flavor. If you can’t find dried cranberries, dried cherries, blueberries, or even golden raisins make excellent substitutions, offering similar textural and flavor contrasts.
Fresh Orange Juice: While bottled orange juice can be used in a pinch, fresh-squeezed orange juice will elevate your vinaigrette to another level. Its vibrant, natural sweetness and brightness are unparalleled.
Fresh Lemon Juice: This is a non-negotiable ingredient. Skip the bottled lemon juice found on grocery store shelves, as it often contains preservatives and lacks the bright, zesty aroma and flavor of freshly squeezed lemon. Investing a few minutes to squeeze your own lemons will yield a noticeably fresher and more dynamic vinaigrette.
Champagne Vinegar: This is my preferred vinegar for crafting delicate and elegant salad dressings. Its mild, slightly floral, and less aggressive acidity enhances the other flavors without overpowering them. If champagne vinegar is unavailable, a good quality white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as alternatives.

A gourmet Citrus Spinach Salad, featuring creamy avocado slices, vibrant orange segments, and ruby red dried cranberries, artfully arranged in a white bowl and lightly dressed with a zesty vinaigrette.

Expert Recipe Tips for a Perfect Citrus Spinach Salad

As with nearly any culinary creation, this spinach salad is wonderfully customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your personal preferences or what you have on hand. Feel free to incorporate your favorite greens, such as peppery arugula or sturdy kale, to the mix. For an added textural dimension and nutty flavor, sprinkle in some toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts. You could also introduce more citrus variety by adding ruby red grapefruit segments alongside the orange slices for a delightful bitter-sweet contrast.
While I opted for a blend of tender baby spinach and some baby romaine to boost the salad’s visual appeal and add a pleasant crunch, using all spinach or any other combination of your preferred greens would be perfectly acceptable. The key is fresh, vibrant greens as the foundation of your salad.
PRO-Tip: To ensure the best presentation and prevent premature browning, always add the cubed avocados right before you plan to serve the salad. If you prepare them slightly in advance, gently coating them in a small amount of your vinaigrette is an effective trick, as the acids from the orange and lemon juice help to significantly minimize oxidation and keep the avocados looking fresh and green.
PRO-Tip: If your dried cranberries seem a little too firm or dry, even if they haven’t expired, a simple trick can revive them. To plump them up, soak them in a small amount of the prepared vinaigrette or some hot water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This rehydrates them, making them softer, chewier, and more enjoyable in the salad. Drain any excess liquid if using hot water, then add them back to the salad bowl before serving.
Experiment with different orange varieties to discover your favorite flavor profile. I used one classic navel orange and one beautiful blood orange, which added a striking color and slightly berry-like notes. Cara Cara oranges, with their pinkish flesh and low acidity, would also be a fantastic choice. For ultimate convenience, you could even use a well-drained can of mandarin oranges, though fresh is always recommended for superior taste and texture.
Consider adding a source of protein to transform this side salad into a complete meal. Grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, crumbled goat cheese, feta, or even a handful of toasted chickpeas can provide satisfying protein and additional flavors.
For optimal crispness, make sure your salad greens are thoroughly dried after washing. A salad spinner is an excellent tool for this. Excess water can dilute your dressing and make your salad soggy.
If preparing components ahead, store the greens, fruit, and dressing separately. Combine everything just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus Spinach Salad

How Do You Supreme an Orange?

Supreming an orange might sound like a chef’s secret, but it’s a straightforward technique that yields beautiful, membrane-free citrus segments. This process not only enhances the eating experience by removing bitter pith and tough membranes but also allows the pure juiciness of the fruit to shine. Here’s how I do it:
First, using a sharp knife, carefully slice off a small round from both the top and bottom of the orange. This creates flat surfaces, making the orange more stable to work with.
Next, place the orange on one of its flat ends. From top to bottom, slice off a strip of the peel and the white pith, following the curve of the orange. Try to remove only the peel and pith, preserving as much of the vibrant orange flesh as possible. Rotate the orange and repeat this process until all the peel and pith have been removed, leaving only the juicy fruit.

Now, holding the peeled orange over a bowl (to catch any precious juices), locate one of the natural segments. With your sharp knife, carefully slice along each side of the segment, just inside the thin white membranes, to release a perfect, pristine orange segment. Repeat this for each segment around the orange. The collected juices can be added directly to your salad dressing for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

This technique is not exclusive to oranges; it can be applied to any citrus fruit, including grapefruit, lemons, and limes, whenever you desire perfect, membrane-free segments.

How Do You Prevent an Avocado from Browning?

Avocados turn brown when their flesh is exposed to oxygen, a process called oxidation. To effectively prevent or minimize this, the primary strategy is to limit oxygen exposure. The most effective method is to not slice your avocado until the absolute last minute, just before you intend to serve the salad. If you must prepare it slightly ahead, coating the avocado pieces with an acidic ingredient, such as a generous drizzle of your salad dressing (which contains lemon and orange juice) or a squeeze of pure lemon or lime juice, creates a protective barrier that slows down the oxidation process. For storing leftover avocado halves, press plastic wrap directly onto the cut surface, ensuring no air pockets, and store in the refrigerator.

Can You Make Salad Dressing Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Preparing your salad dressing in advance is a fantastic time-saver. Most vinaigrettes, including this Dijon Vinaigrette, can be made several hours or even a day or two early. Store the dressing in an airtight container or a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. Be aware that the oil in the dressing may solidify or thicken when chilled, which is a completely normal occurrence. To remedy this, simply remove the dressing from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before you plan to serve it, allowing it to come closer to room temperature. Give it a vigorous whisk or a good shake before tossing it with your salad to ensure all ingredients are well combined and emulsified again. This ensures a smooth, consistent dressing that coats your greens beautifully.

Is This Citrus Spinach Salad Healthy?

Yes, this citrus spinach salad is incredibly healthy and packed with nutrients. Spinach is a powerhouse of vitamins (A, C, K) and minerals, while oranges provide abundant vitamin C and antioxidants. Avocados are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health, and fiber, aiding digestion. Dried cranberries add antioxidants and natural sweetness. The homemade Dijon vinaigrette uses fresh juices and healthy oils, making it a much better choice than many store-bought dressings which can be high in sugar and unhealthy fats. It’s a fantastic way to boost your daily intake of fruits and vegetables!

What Can I Serve with This Salad to Make it a Full Meal?

This vibrant salad is wonderfully versatile and can easily be scaled up to a full meal. Consider pairing it with grilled chicken breast, pan-seared salmon or shrimp for lean protein. For a vegetarian option, grilled halloumi cheese, a scoop of quinoa, or a handful of roasted chickpeas would be excellent additions. Its light and zesty profile also makes it a superb accompaniment to a simple pasta dish, a quiche, or a light soup.

Citrus Spinach Salad with Avocados and Oranges

Prep Time
15 minutes

Total Time
15 minutes

Yield
4 servings

A delightful and healthy Citrus Spinach Salad featuring creamy avocados, sweet oranges, and a zesty Dijon vinaigrette – perfect for any season!

Ingredients

5-6 cups fresh salad greens (recommended: baby spinach and baby romaine)
2 oranges, carefully supremed into segments
1-2 ripe avocados, cubed (gently toss with a small amount of vinaigrette if preparing ahead to prevent browning)
¼ cup dried cranberries

For the Zesty Dijon Vinaigrette:

¼ cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon quality Dijon mustard
¼ cup neutral vegetable oil (such as canola or grapeseed oil)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Begin by adding your thoroughly washed and dried salad greens to a large serving bowl, forming a vibrant base.
Artfully arrange the supremed orange segments and the cubed avocados over the greens. Sprinkle the dried cranberries evenly over the salad. Remember to add avocados just before serving to maintain their fresh appearance. Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, champagne vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard until well combined.
While continuously whisking, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil. Continue to whisk until the dressing is emulsified and smooth. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasoning by adding salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
You have two serving options: either gently toss the entire salad with the prepared dressing just before serving, or present the undressed salad alongside the vinaigrette, allowing individual guests to add their desired amount.

Notes

The delicious Dijon vinaigrette can be prepared in advance. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, allow it to come to room temperature and give it a good whisk or shake to re-emulsify the ingredients.

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Sunny Citrus Avocado Spinach Salad

Why You Must Make This Refreshing Citrus Spinach Salad

Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Citrus Spinach Salad

Expert Recipe Tips for a Perfect Citrus Spinach Salad

Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus Spinach Salad

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Citrus Spinach Salad with Avocados and Oranges

Ingredients

For the Zesty Dijon Vinaigrette:

Instructions

Notes

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