North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija
A refreshing salad featuring bright North Texas citrus fruits, crunchy toasted pepitas, and crumbled cotija cheese for a vibrant, tangy bite. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, grapefruit segments, navel orange segments 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 180 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
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup (about 1 medium grapefruit) grapefruit segments
- 1 cup (about 1 medium orange) navel orange segments
- 1/4 cup toasted pepitas
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup grapefruit segments (membrane removed), 1 cup navel orange segments, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted pepitas and 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese over the top just before serving to maintain crunch and freshness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija 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 North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija?
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 North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija?
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 North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija 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 North Texas Citrus Salad with Pepitas and Cotija?
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.
