Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad featuring regional citrus fruits topped with a sweet honey vinaigrette, perfect for a light Southern-inspired meal. This southern american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, large orange, peeled and segmented, medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 5 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 large orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, 1 large peeled and segmented orange, 1 medium peeled and segmented grapefruit, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/2 cup toasted pecans, and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
- Step 3: Drizzle the honey vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately as a light and bright starter or side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed salad greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Daphne Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
Southern American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
