Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
A refreshing winter salad featuring bright citrus segments, toasted hazelnuts, and a sweet maple vinaigrette that balances earthy and bright flavors. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, medium, peeled and segmented grapefruit, roughly chopped toasted hazelnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 large, peeled and segmented navel orange
- 1 medium, peeled and segmented grapefruit
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped toasted hazelnuts
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the vinaigrette emulsifies and becomes slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Arrange 4 cups mixed salad greens on a serving platter or large bowl. Scatter 1 large peeled and segmented navel orange and 1 medium peeled and segmented grapefruit evenly over the greens.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted and roughly chopped hazelnuts over the salad. Drizzle the prepared maple vinaigrette evenly over the top just before serving, tossing gently to combine flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple 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 Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple 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 Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple 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 Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple 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.
Is Winter Citrus and Hazelnut Salad with Maple Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this! The African-inspired citrus twist with Mediterranean herbs made it feel special. Even my picky teen asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
This salad was a perfect winter dinner—bright citrus and crunchy hazelnuts balanced beautifully with the maple dressing. Made it for my sister's birthday and she raved about it!
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavors, but the hazelnuts were slightly over-toasted for my taste. Still, the maple vinaigrette saved it—will make again with fresher nuts.
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