Mexican Citrus Salad

14 Comments / By / May 16, 2018 / Recipes
8 Reviews / 4.5 Average
This citrus salad is my new go-to side item that perfectly complements the flavors of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or whatever your heart desires. Enjoy!
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It seems like I am often serving tacos or other Mexican food, and (as an afterthought) I realize we need a salad or something green on the side to really count as a serving of vegetables. Three strands of cabbage on a taco doesn’t exactly cut it! So this citrus salad is my new go-to side item that perfectly complements the flavors of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or whatever your heart desires. Enjoy!

Mexican Citrus Salad on 100 Days of Real Food

Mexican Citrus Salad on 100 Days of Real Food

Mexican Citrus Salad

This citrus salad is my new go-to side item that perfectly complements the flavors of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or whatever your heart desires. Enjoy!
8 Reviews / 4.5 Average
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Method: Too Easy
Diet: Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 8 ounces fresh spinach leaves 8 to 9 cups
  • 6 ounces queso fresco (Mexican cheese) crumbled
  • 1 orange peeled and diced
  • 1/2 grapefruit peeled and diced (can sub another orange if not a grapefruit fan)
  • 1/4 cup peptias (shelled pumpkin seeds)
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup olive oil + extra for the pepitas (above)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice from another orange

Instructions
 

  • Add the spinach to a large bowl and toss with the crumbled cheese, diced orange, and grapefruit. 
  • In a small skillet over medium-low heat, stir together the pepitas, honey, chili powder, and a few drops of olive oil. Cook while stirring until they begin making a popping sound and turn golden brown. Immediately transfer to a plate or bowl to cool for a minute or two. Add to salad along with some salt and pepper (to taste).
  • In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake together the olive oil and orange juice to emulsify the dressing. Toss with salad and serve. If not serving right away, store dressing, orange, and grapefruit pieces separately.

Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
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Mexican Citrus Salad on 100 Days of Real Food

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14 thoughts on “Mexican Citrus Salad”

  1. Sara

    5 stars
    This was delicious! Have made it twice already. Used cotija cheese because that’s what I had on hand and it was perfect. Great blend of flavors!

  2. Kristin

    Looks like a delicious winter salad, when grapefruit is in season. In suggestions on seasonal fruit to substitute in summer?

  4. Diana

    5 stars
    Yummy! I have a daughter with a dairy allergy so we just left the cheese out and it was still delicious. (Not to mention that I’m also in Australia and don’t think we can get Queso Fresco easily anyway.)

    Very likely going to become my go to side of veggies to serve with quesadillas – going on my meal plan for a second time this week. :-)

  7. Karen

    5 stars
    Tried this tonight, to accompany tacos. It was super yummy. Wonderful combination of refreshing citrus, spicy nuts, creamy cheese and crunchy greens. Tasty way to get more veg. Two thumbs up! :-)

  8. michelfrost

    2 stars
    Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks very beautiful and delicious. It is a best for health.
    I also searching a food dishes because I am a foody person. Thanks….Keep sharing this type blog.

  9. Mel

    This is perfect timing- we just got back from Mexico and I have spinach coming up in my garden. I loved how pumpkin seeds were such a big part of Mexican cuisine. And I love an excuse to use my spinach. Thanks!

  10. Amy H.

    This looks almost exactly like the salad I get at Mixt Greens once or twice a month! It’s delicious. If I can get it, I add (raw) jicama too, and sometime some small pieces of red onion or shallots.

  11. David

    5 stars
    Hi Lisa,

    This salad looks great, I would never have thought to put salad with Mexican dishes. I am currently in Australia and I have never heard of Mexican cheese , can you please tell me what other cheeses this is similar too ?

    thanks so much
    David

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