Sunshine in a Bowl: Ina Garten’s Zesty Provencal Orange Salad Recipe

Bright citrus notes dance across this classic provencal orange salad recipe that Ina Garten perfected with Mediterranean flair.

Sunlight seems to sparkle through each carefully sliced orange segment.

The vibrant dish bursts with fresh, zesty flavors that transport you straight to the French countryside.

Crisp greens provide a delicate backdrop for sweet, juicy oranges.

Simple ingredients come together in a remarkably elegant composition that feels both rustic and refined.

Each bite promises a refreshing experience that celebrates the pure, clean tastes of Provence.

Grab your ingredients and let this salad whisk you away on a culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 4

Gather These for Ina Garten’s Provencal Orange Salad

• Orange: Vibrant citrus fruit that brings a sunny burst of sweetness and juiciness to the salad, choose ripe oranges with smooth, firm skin and no soft spots.
• Fennel: Delicate, crisp vegetable with a subtle licorice flavor that adds elegant crunch, select a bulb that's bright white and feels heavy with no browning.
• Red Onion: Sharp and tangy ingredient that provides a zesty bite, pick a firm onion with tight, glossy skin and no soft areas.
• Mint: Aromatic herb that introduces a refreshing coolness, choose bright green leaves without wilting or dark spots.
• Basil: Fragrant herb that adds a peppery sweetness, look for perky leaves with rich green color and no yellowing.

• Olives: Salty Mediterranean ingredient that brings intense flavor complexity, select plump, glossy olives without wrinkling.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity lubricant that binds flavors and adds richness, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Kosher Salt: Classic seasoning that enhances overall taste profile, select coarse-grained for better texture.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that provides subtle heat, use freshly ground for maximum flavor.
• Fleur de Sel: Delicate, pure salt that offers a sophisticated finishing touch, sprinkle sparingly for elegant presentation.

Tools Required for Ina Garten’s Mediterranean Salad

• Serrated knife: Sharp blade perfect for slicing orange peels and cutting citrus accurately.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients safely and cleanly.
• Small bowl: Used for soaking and draining red onions.
• Mandoline (optional): Helpful tool for slicing fennel uniformly and thinly.
• Serving platter: Elegant dish to arrange and present the salad beautifully.
• Measuring spoons: For precise seasoning with salt and pepper.

Ina Garten’s Step-by-Step Orange Salad

• Orange Preparation Surface

Carefully slice the citrus fruits with precision, removing the outer layer and white membrane. Arrange the delicate orange rounds on a beautiful serving platter, capturing all the natural juices.

• Fennel Elegance

Transform the crisp fennel bulb into translucent, gossamer-thin slices that dance across the orange canvas. The delicate layers will create a stunning visual contrast.

• Herbal Symphony

Scatter vibrant fresh mint and aromatic basil leaves across the salad. Introduce briny olives and softened red onion for unexpected bursts of flavor and texture.

• Finishing Touch

Anoint the salad with silky olive oil. Sprinkle delicate sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to elevate the entire composition. Gently blend the ingredients to marry their flavors.

• Serving Moment

Allow the salad to rest at ambient temperature, letting the ingredients whisper their complex notes to each other before enjoying this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

French Flair: Custom Tips for Ina Garten’s Salad

• Soak red onion in ice water to reduce sharp bite and create a milder, crisp texture that complements the citrusy oranges perfectly.
• Choose ripe, firm oranges with vibrant color and smooth skin for the best flavor and juiciest segments in your salad.
• Shave fennel paper-thin to release its delicate anise-like flavor and ensure a light, delicate crunch throughout the dish.
• Replace mint and basil with fresh tarragon or chervil for a unique twist that still maintains the Provençal Mediterranean essence.
• Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.

How to Plate Ina Garten’s Citrus Salad

• Brunch Brilliance: Showcase this vibrant Provencal orange salad as a stunning centerpiece for a Mediterranean-inspired brunch, pairing perfectly with quiche or frittata.
• Seafood's Soulmate: Serve alongside grilled fish or shrimp to complement the bright citrus flavors and add a refreshing contrast to rich, savory proteins.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enhance the salad's herbal and citrus notes by serving with a crisp, chilled Provence rosé or a light Sauvignon Blanc, creating a delightful Mediterranean dining experience.
• Elegant Appetizer Approach: Present the salad in individual small plates or appetizer glasses for an upscale dinner party starter that looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Prep & Store Ina Garten’s Orange Salad

• Quick Prep Strategy: Slice oranges, fennel, and onions up to 2 hours before serving to maintain freshness and crisp texture.
• Smart Refrigeration: Store individual ingredients separately in sealed containers for up to 24 hours. Keep herbs wrapped in damp paper towels to prevent wilting.
• Serve Fresh Approach: Best enjoyed immediately after assembly to preserve vibrant flavors and crisp vegetable textures.
• Avoid Soggy Salad: Dress the salad just before serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soft or losing their bright, delicate characteristics.

Vibrant Provencal Orange Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Provençal orange salad combines zesty citrus with delicate herbs and olives. Crisp ingredients create Mediterranean magic that will transport diners straight to southern France.

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Ingredients

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• 3 seedless oranges (Cara Cara or navel)
• 3 blood oranges
• 10 large green olives (picholine or Castelvetrano), pitted
• ½ small red onion
• ½ fennel bulb, top and core removed
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) fresh mint leaves, julienned
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) fresh basil leaves, julienned
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fleur de sel or sea salt, for serving

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Instructions

1. Onion Preparation: Slice red onion into delicate half-moons and soak in ice water for 15 minutes to reduce pungency. Drain completely and set aside.
2. Orange Transformation: Using a serrated knife, remove peel and pith from oranges, then slice into uniform rounds. Arrange artfully on a serving platter, allowing natural juices to collect.
3. Fennel Integration: Slice fennel paper-thin using a sharp knife or mandoline, creating translucent layers. Distribute evenly across orange base.
4. Flavor Composition: Disperse drained red onion pieces, scatter briny olives, and sprinkle fresh mint and basil leaves across the salad, creating a vibrant color and texture landscape.
5. Seasoning and Marination: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil generously, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently toss to ensure flavor harmony. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop depth.
6. Final Touch: Finish with a delicate sprinkling of fleur de sel moments before serving to enhance the salad’s sophisticated profile.

Notes

• Soften Onion Bite: Soak sliced red onions in ice water for 15 minutes to reduce their sharp, overwhelming flavor and create a milder taste experience.
• Master Citrus Technique: Use a serrated knife to carefully remove orange peel and pith, ensuring clean, precise slices without bitter white membrane.
• Slice with Precision: Use a mandoline or extremely sharp knife to create paper-thin fennel slices, maintaining delicate translucent layers for optimal texture.
• Flavor Fusion Time: Let salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to blend and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg