Zesty Avocado Grapefruit Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Fresh Twist

Bright, zesty, and utterly refreshing, this Ina Garten avocado grapefruit salad bursts with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Creamy avocados mingle with tangy citrus segments in a delightful culinary symphony.

The combination promises a light, elegant dish perfect for warm afternoons or as a stunning side.

Garten’s touch brings simple ingredients together with effortless sophistication.

Fresh herbs and a delicate dressing enhance the natural sweetness and richness of the avocado and grapefruit.

Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that feel both luxurious and refreshingly simple.

Dive into this Mediterranean-inspired salad and let your taste buds celebrate a truly exceptional summer treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

Shopping List for Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Mixed Greens: Crisp, vibrant leaves that create a fresh foundation for the salad, choose organic or pre-washed varieties for convenience.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich fruit that adds luxurious texture, select ripe but firm avocados with no dark spots.
• Grapefruit: Bright, tangy citrus that brings zesty freshness, pick grapefruits that feel heavy and have smooth, glossy skin.

• Almonds: Nutty, crunchy element that provides delightful texture, toast lightly to enhance their natural flavor and aroma.

• Champagne Vinegar: Delicate, sophisticated acid that balances the salad's flavors, choose high-quality, clear vinegar for best results.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that softens the vinegar's sharpness, opt for local, raw honey for deeper complexity.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that binds the dressing, select extra virgin olive oil for most robust taste.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates all other ingredients, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Warming spice that adds subtle heat, freshly ground provides the most vibrant flavor.

Tools to Make Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Roomy vessel for combining all salad ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Essential for segmenting grapefruit and chopping almonds.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure honey and vinegar.
• Small mixing bowl: Useful for preparing the dressing separately.

Instructions for Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Citrus and Green Goodness

Start by slicing a juicy grapefruit into delicate segments, carefully removing the bitter white membranes. Slice a creamy avocado into smooth, elegant wedges that will complement the bright citrus notes.

• Nutty Crunch

Grab a handful of crisp almonds and roughly chop them to add a satisfying texture and rich, earthy flavor to your salad. These nuts will bring a delightful crunch that elevates the entire dish.

• Liquid Harmony

Whisk together a light dressing that sings with flavor. Combine golden honey for sweetness, smooth champagne vinegar for brightness, and extra virgin olive oil for a silky finish. This liquid magic will transform your simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy creation.

• Final Flourish

Gently combine the mixed greens with your grapefruit segments and avocado slices. Drizzle the honey-vinegar dressing over the top, letting it cascade down the ingredients. Sprinkle the chopped almonds and add a whisper of salt and freshly ground pepper to awaken all the flavors.

Flavor Ideas for Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Swap mixed greens with arugula, spinach, or baby kale for a different flavor profile and added nutrients.
• Sprinkle grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled feta cheese to transform this light salad into a more substantial meal.
• Replace almonds with toasted pine nuts, candied walnuts, or sunflower seeds for varied texture and interesting nutty undertones.
• Prepare dressing separately and keep ingredients chilled to maintain freshness, adding dressing just before serving to prevent wilting of delicate greens.
• Experiment with blood oranges or tangerines when grapefruit isn't in peak season, maintaining the citrupal brightness of the original recipe.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Brighten Your Plate: Serve this vibrant salad as a refreshing starter for summer dinner parties, letting the citrusy colors pop against white dishware.
• Pair with Protein: Complement the salad with grilled shrimp or roasted chicken breast to transform it into a light yet satisfying main course.
• Wine Companion: Select a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the salad's bright, zesty flavors and match its delicate texture.
• Create a Full Spread: Add crusty artisan bread or delicate crostini on the side to provide a crunchy contrast and help soak up the delicious dressing.

How to Store Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 hours to maintain freshness and prevent browning of avocados.
• Keep Dressing Separate: If preparing in advance, store the dressing and salad ingredients separately to prevent wilting and maintain crisp textures.
• Prep Just Before Serving: Assemble the salad moments before eating to ensure maximum crunchiness of greens and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Revive Wilted Greens: Briefly soak slightly droopy mixed greens in ice-cold water for 5 minutes to restore their crisp texture before serving.

Vibrant Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s refreshing avocado grapefruit salad combines zesty citrus with creamy avocado in a light, elegant dish. California ingredients create a perfect balance of flavors that will delight palates and showcase fresh, seasonal produce.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (946 ml) mixed greens (spinach or leaf lettuce)
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 1 large grapefruit, peeled and segmented
• ¼ cup (36 g) chopped almonds
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) champagne vinegar
• 1 tbsp (21 g) honey
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Segment Preparation: Meticulously extract grapefruit segments, eliminating membrane and white pith for a pure, clean citrus profile.
2. Almond Preparation: Crush raw almonds into fine, consistent fragments to provide a delightful textural contrast throughout the salad.
3. Avocado Processing: Cut ripe avocado into precise, uniform cubes that showcase the fruit’s creamy interior and maintain structural integrity.
4. Greens Selection: Carefully rinse and completely dry mixed salad greens, ensuring crisp and pristine leaves for optimal presentation.
5. Dressing Creation: Emulsify honey, champagne vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil in a smooth, harmonious blend that enhances the salad’s delicate flavors.
6. Ingredient Assembly: Gently layer grapefruit segments, almond pieces, avocado cubes, and greens in a spacious serving vessel to maximize visual appeal.
7. Dressing and Seasoning: Elegantly cascade the prepared vinaigrette over the ingredients, then sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the natural taste profile.
8. Final Tossing: Delicately integrate all components using minimal movement, preserving the salad’s structural beauty and preventing ingredient bruising.

Notes

• Segment with Care: Remove all white pith from grapefruit to prevent bitter taste and ensure clean, pure citrus flavor.
• Prep Avocado Perfectly: Cut avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain creamy, fresh texture.
• Dress Strategically: Drizzle dressing lightly and toss gently to prevent wilting delicate greens and crushing soft ingredients.
• Serve Instantly: Enjoy salad immediately after preparation to preserve crisp greens, vibrant colors, and optimal texture of fresh ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg