Next Post
Skillet Baked Creamy Pesto Spinach and Artichoke Gnocchi.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette, my go-to wintry salad that’s fresh, easy, and delicious. Hearty winter greens, baby arugula, fresh oranges, and plenty of salty feta cheese. All tossed together with a creamy orange tahini vinaigrette for a salad that’s simple to put together and healthy too. Enjoy this for lunch, a light dinner, or as an addition to your next dinner party menu. You’ll never tire of this beautiful winter salad.
I’ve hit that stage of the winter season when I begin to crave color, freshness, and exciting flavors. Well, in addition to more cozy recipes, of course. Here’s the deal, living in Colorado has its perks. And, for the most part, I really do enjoy living way up here in the mountains. That said, it’s also often freezing cold and always very, very white. Especially on snowy days when truly all you see is white on the ground and white in the sky. It’s beautiful, but the lack of color always leaves me looking for color in other places.
Enter this salad. It’s so full of color and fresh flavors that it instantly brightens my day. I know that’s a bit cheesy, but it’s true. I’ve been making this on repeat for lunch on days when there isn’t much leftover from dinner. It’s perfect because it’s the simplest salad to throw together. I usually always have this mix of ingredients on hand, so I don’t even have to run to the store.
Here is how you toss up this wintry citrus avocado salad.
As I said, this is such a simple recipe, but don’t let that fool you, it also has so much flavor.
Start with the walnuts. You can buy already toasted nuts, but I prefer to roast the walnuts with a touch of honey and flaky sea salt. Many times the store-bought nuts can have added sugars and oils that just aren’t needed. Simply roasting the walnuts with honey and sea salt allows them to caramelize and be just a touch sweet and just a touch salty. Warning, when they’re warm, they’re also just a touch addicting.
While the nuts are roasting, prep your salad greens, slice the oranges and avocados, and mix the vinaigrette.
For the greens, I use a mix of Tuscan kale and baby arugula, but you can use whatever your favorite winter greens are. Just use something that will excite you!
Toss the greens with the vinaigrette, then add plenty of fresh orange slices, avocados, and feta cheese. Super simple, but so perfect…and pretty.
Now, that vinaigrette?
It’s the key to this salad. It’s tangy, sweet, creamy, and easy to toss-up using ingredients found in your fridge and pantry…which is also KEY. Because when it’s winter, no one wants to go out into the cold for an ingredient, you know?
The vinaigrette is a mix of olive oil, Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice, tahini, apple cider vinegar, and honey. I always have orange juice in my fridge and often use it to create quick sauces, dressings, and vinaigrettes for salads. It adds a delicious citrus kick that’s fresh and flavorful. What I love most about Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice is that it’s made with only Florida oranges, that’s it. There are zero added sugars or artificial ingredients. Only oranges…just like it should be!
Tip? Mix your salad dressing in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Not only is this easy, but it leaves you with less to clean. It also allows you to save any of the dressing for later. Just seal the jar and store in the fridge.
How to serve?
You can enjoy this salad anytime, but I find it especially nice as a quick lunch or dinner. If you’d like to add a bit more protein, roasted chickpeas or shredded chicken would both be great additions.
Or serve this in addition to dinner as a beautiful side salad. I’d pair this with a yummy pasta like this roasted lemon artichoke and browned butter pasta or maybe this slow cooker french wine and mustard chicken.
If you make this citrus avocado salad with orange tahini vinaigrette, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the how to video:
Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 763 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey
- flaky sea salt
- 6 cups mixed greens, I use shredded Tuscan kale
- 2 cups arugula
- 3 oranges, sliced, I used Cara Cara and Blood Oranges
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 1 cup cubed or crumbled feta cheese
Orange Tahini Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Florida's Natural® Brand Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon honey
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the walnuts and honey together on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the walnuts are toasted. Remove from the oven and spread the walnuts in one layer. Sprinkle with flaky salt.2. To make the vinaigrette. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake to combine. 3. Add the greens to a large salad bowl and toss with about half of the vinaigrette. Add the orange slices, avocado, cheese, and toasted nuts. Gently toss. Enjoy!
{This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
My husband isn’t a big fan of feta. Would crumbled goat cheese be a good substitute?
Hey Amy,
Totally, goat cheese would be great here! I hope you love this recipe, have a great Friday! XxT
Just made this salad for a dinner party. Everyone loved it…it was a big hit. I made it during the summer and nobody seemed to mind that it was more of a “winter” salad. I am sad that there isn’t any leftover and already thinking about making it again ASAP.
Hey Molly,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
This was delicious!!!! I used baby romaine lettuce and added some cucumbers, carrots, red onion and carrots. The dressing was amazing!!!! will definitely make it again!!!
Hi Marcy,
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Happy Easter! xT
My daughters have been making this salad on repeat. I made it last night to accompany a lasagna dinner for our house guests. It was delicious. The dressing is amazing!
Thanks a lot Janet!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad it was a hit! xT
All the different ingredients come together like peanut butter and jelly but better!!!!
Hey there! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for giving it a try! xT
Thank you for reminding us that winter isn’t all about soups, stews and pantry items. This recipe was a big hit, providing color, crunch, and freshness with readily available ingredients at their peak, even in the dead of winter.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you are loving this salad! xT
Love this salad, done it multiple times! Just wondering how to make it summery as where i live its summer now! Going to serve it with salmon… wondering if mango or peaches would work in place or oranges?
Hi Deanna! Yeah, that would be super yummy! xT
Loved this salad especially the dressing!
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Have a great week! xT
The orange tahini vinaigrette is sooo good. I will definitely be making this again.
Hey Susan,
Happy Sunday!! 🍉🍓🫐 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Everyone at the dinner party loved this! the dressing was excellent! Thank you
Hi there,
Wonderful!!🍀 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for trying it out:)
Made this tonight while visiting our relatives in Florida after eating Tieghan at the Palm Gardens book signing.
It was so delicious! I added some roasted beets, too! So colorful!💕
Hey Julie,
Fantastic!!🌺 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! xT
Tieghan,
I made your honey crisp apple winter salad for Missional Community Group and it the mark! We serve buffet style and sit at a big family table. Heidi got up and served herself seconds of salad. Eve did the same, I wanted more as well. I retrieved the bowl and put it on the dining table and served my self seconds. We ate the whole large bowl of salad. Satisfying &delicious!
Today is Chinese New Year, we were invited to celebrate. I’m going to make your Citrus, avocado salad, I’m excited to eat and share this colorful salad.
Result: Successfully received!
Not only does this salad appeal to the eye, it bursts with flavor in your mouth. Citrus is perfect for immunity during the winter months and I can’t think of a better way to receive it!
Thank you for your delicious creativity, I appreciate you!
Suzi Moon
Hey Suzi,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT