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Citrus Salad with Avocado and Feta

Name: Citrus Salad with Avocado and Feta
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 cups arugula (, measure packed); 2 oranges (, I like a combo of blood and navel); 1 grapefruit; 1 avocado; ½ cup red onion (, thinly sliced); ¼ - ½ cup crumbled feta (, dairy free if preferred); 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons honey (, or maple syrup); 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (, or broth if oil-free)

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on June 1, 2025

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Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time to bring out my refreshing Citrus Salad with Avocado and Feta! This isn’t just any salad; it’s full of color and flavor from juicy citrus fruit, creamy avocado, and salty feta, all tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. It’s perfect for BBQ season and ready to serve in 20 minutes.

Silver spoons about to serve a salad with arugula, citrus and feta on a white platter on a turquoise background.

Salads are one of my favorite things to make in summer! There’s no cooking involved, the garden is full of fresh fruits and veggies, and they’re ready in a flash. Whether it’s a crisp apple and walnut salad or something bright like this juicy grape avocado salad, the flavor combinations are endless.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storage Directions

❓Recipe FAQs

🥗 More Tasty Salad Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

My boys love this salad even more than I do, which says a lot! They always ask for it when the weather warms up, especially on those hot summer afternoons. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals they need, and I love that it only takes a few fresh ingredients to throw together.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

This citrus salad is the one everyone always asks me to make when we’re grilling out. The fresh citrus flavors of orange and grapefruit, paired with creamy feta cheese and avocado, make it perfect for grilled veggies and veggie burgers. It’s light, has soft and crunchy textures, and the sweet tangy dressing ties everything together. So good!

I always go back and forth between romaine, iceberg, and arugula when I’m building a salad. For this citrus salad recipe, I went with arugula, and I am so glad I did! The subtle peppery taste of arugula is the perfect match for the tangy dressing and contrast in salad textures.

To be honest, the first time I made this salad was for a friend, and I had no idea if it would actually work. I mean, who puts grapefruit in a salad, right? But I went for it and it surprised us both in the best way. That little tangy kick ended up being exactly what the salad needed. Even if you’re not usually a grapefruit fan, I promise you’ll love it here.

🥘 Ingredients

Combining fruits and veggies? Yes, please! Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious citrus salad recipe:

Arugula: I love using arugula as the base because it adds a little peppery bite that really balances the sweetness of the fruit.

Oranges: I usually go with navel and blood oranges. The combo gives the salad such a pretty color and a sweet and tangy flavor.

Grapefruit: I wasn’t always a fan, but now I’m hooked! It brings that little zing that makes the salad pop.

Avocado: Creamy avocado is a must in this salad.

Red onion: I slice it super thin so it adds a little crunch and just enough sharpness.

Feta: I crumble a bit of my homemade dairy-free feta on top and it adds the perfect salty contrast. Even non-vegans love it.

Dill: Fresh dill adds a burst of herby flavor.

For the dressing: I whisk together lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a good drizzle of olive oil.

🔪 How To Make

Whether you’re prepping ahead or serving this citrus avocado salad right away, it couldn’t be easier to make:

Prep: I peel the oranges and grapefruit, then slice them into rounds or segments. I do the same with the avocado and onion, cutting it just before serving so it stays nice and fresh.

Plastic containers with citrus, avocado, onion and feta on a turquoise background.

Assemble the salad: I start by placing the arugula in a big bowl, then gently add the sliced citrus, avocado, red onion, feta, and fresh dill right on top.

A citrus salad with avocado, red onion and feta on it sitting on a platter on a turquoise background with ingredients around it.

Make the dressing: I whisk together the lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper until it’s smooth. Then, I drizzle it right over the salad and give everything a light toss.

A glass jar with a light brown tan dressing in it and oil settled on the top on a turquoise background.

Serve: I plate it up right away while everything is still fresh and juicy.

A citrus, feta, avocado and red onion salad with dressing on a white platter on a turquoise background with ingredients around it.

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for making this citrus avocado salad is to take the time to segment the citrus properly. I use a sharp knife to cut away the peel and all the white pith, then slice between the membranes to get those perfect and juicy pieces. It’s a little more work I know, but I promise it makes every bite pop with fresh and bright flavor.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Use a sharp knife for citrus: I slice the oranges and grapefruit with a serrated or super sharp knife so I get clean segments without too much juice loss.
Add avocado last: I always wait until the very end to slice and add the avocado so it doesn’t brown before serving.
Chill ingredients: I pop everything into the fridge (even the plates sometimes!) before assembling so the salad is crisp, fresh, and extra refreshing.
Layer for looks: When I’m serving this at a gathering, I layer the salad instead of tossing it. That way, the citrus, avocado, and feta stay pretty and don’t get smushed.

📖 Variations

I’ve tried so many different variations of this salad over the years. These are a few of my favorites, so go ahead and give them a try, I think you’ll love them too!

Add grains or protein: I love tossing in some cooked quinoa or farro for extra texture and to make it more filling. It turns the salad into a full meal when I add extra protein like grilled tofu or even some chickpeas falafel patties.

Swap the greens: Instead of arugula, sometime I add baby spinach, mixed greens, or even butter lettuce.

Make it nutty: Toasted almonds, pistachios, or walnuts add a nice crunch. I usually go with whatever I have on hand in the pantry.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This is a great salad for summer cookouts, so I tend to serve it with vegan burgers and wraps. Here are some tasty suggestions:

Burgers: I love this lentil veggie burger paired with my citrus salad. It’s healthy and packed with veggies. For those who like a bit of spice, try this Southwestern pinto bean burger or my hubby’s favorite spicy black bean burger.

Wraps: Another great option to pair with this citrus salad is wraps. They’re packed with veggies, sauces, and protein, just like this healthy falafel wrap and my delicious umami-flavored vegan mushroom shawarma.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I usually store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge, and they’re best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days. The arugula and avocado are freshest when eaten sooner.

Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this salad.

❓Recipe FAQs

Will the salad get soggy if it sits too long?

If it’s all mixed together and sits for more than a few hours, the arugula can start to wilt a bit. I keep everything separate and toss just before serving when I prep ahead.

How can I make this salad kid-friendly?

I keep the onion light and sometimes skip the grapefruit for my younger ones. A sprinkle of sweet corn or diced apple helps win them over every time.

How do I keep the avocado from browning?

If I’m prepping early, I slice the avocado last and add a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep it bright. It really helps keep things looking fresh when it’s time to serve.

A citrus avocado and feta salad being put into a plastic square container from a white platter on a turquoise background.

🥗 More Tasty Salad Recipes!

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