Winter Citrus Fennel Avocado (Printable Version)

A vibrant blend of citrus, fennel, avocado, and greens dressed with olive oil and lemon for a fresh, bright dish.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large blood or Cara Cara oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
02 - 1 large grapefruit, peeled and sliced into rounds
03 - 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
04 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
05 - 2 cups arugula or mixed baby greens
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, roughly torn

→ Dressing

07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup (use in place of honey for vegan option)
10 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

12 - 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios or sliced almonds
13 - Zest of 1 orange (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
02 - Spread arugula or mixed baby greens evenly on a large serving platter.
03 - Place orange and grapefruit slices over the greens, slightly overlapping each piece.
04 - Scatter thinly sliced fennel and sliced avocado evenly atop the citrus layers.
05 - Drizzle the prepared dressing uniformly over all salad components.
06 - Garnish with fresh mint leaves, toasted nuts, and orange zest if desired.
07 - Present the salad immediately to preserve freshness and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 15 minutes, no cooking required, which means you can pull it together while your coffee's still hot.
  • The combination of sweet citrus and peppery arugula with creamy avocado somehow feels fancy but tastes like you didn't try too hard.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing anything—just making something genuinely good.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad until you're ready to serve it—wet greens turn sad and soggy within minutes.
  • The fennel really does transform this salad from ordinary to interesting, so don't skip it or substitute it.
03 -
  • A mandoline makes slicing the fennel effortless, but a sharp knife and steady hand work just fine.
  • Buying citrus that feels heavy for its size means it's juicy and worth the money.

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