Winter Citrus Fennel Avocado Salad (Printable)

A bright mix of winter citrus, fennel, avocado, and fresh greens for a refreshing, colorful dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large 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 (optional)
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 from 1 orange (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
02 - Place arugula or mixed baby greens evenly on a large serving platter.
03 - Arrange orange and grapefruit slices over the greens, overlapping slightly.
04 - Distribute thin fennel slices and avocado pieces evenly atop the citrus.
05 - Drizzle the prepared dressing uniformly over the assembled salad components.
06 - Sprinkle fresh mint leaves, toasted nuts, and orange zest if desired; serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes but tastes like you planned it for hours.
  • The fennel's licorice notes play perfectly against the bright citrus in a way that feels almost surprising.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without feeling like a compromise.
02 -
  • Don't peel and prep everything at once; citrus oxidizes quickly, and avocado browns faster than you'd expect, so work in stages and dress the salad right before serving.
  • The fennel is genuinely life-changing here, but only if it's sliced thin enough to be tender and slightly sweet rather than tough and aggressively licorice-flavored.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts in a dry skillet for just two minutes and you'll understand why it makes a difference; the flavor deepens in ways that feel almost unfair.
  • Chill your serving platter for ten minutes before assembling if you have the time, and everything will stay crisp longer.

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