Citrus Fruit Salad

This citrus fruit salad is bursting with the bright flavors of oranges, grapefruit, and mandarins. Add fresh mint for an extra layer of freshness in this simple, fresh and beautiful dish.

If you’re a fan of fresh fruit—or looking for a new twist on a classic fruit salad—you’re going to love this citrus fruit salad. While fruit is always delicious on its own, there’s something extra special about mixing citrus fruits into a vibrant, refreshing salad that bursts with flavor. Personally, I’m a huge citrus lover—when it's citrus season, we definitely enjoy it as much as we can. Oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit are always a welcome treat during those months, and each variety brings its own unique balance of sweetness, tartness, and refreshing aroma. So why not bring them all together in one simple, healthy dish?

This citrus salad is the perfect way to showcase the natural beauty and bold flavors of citrus fruits. It’s refreshing, light, and so easy to throw together, making it a great addition to any meal or just as a snack on its own. The bright, juicy oranges, tangy grapefruit, and sweet mandarins come together in a stunning display of color and flavor. But what really takes it over the top is the addition of fresh mint. Inspired by the Mint Lemonade I love making, the mint adds a burst of freshness that enhances the citrusy goodness and makes this salad even more irresistible.

This citrus salad is a showstopper both in taste and appearance. Whether you're serving it at a brunch, as a light side dish, or just enjoying it as a refreshing snack, it's guaranteed to brighten up your day. And the best part? Once you take the time to make it, you can enjoy it for several days.

Citrus Fruit Salad Video

Ingredients:

• grapefruit
  • Grapefruit adds a refreshing burst of tangy-sweet flavor. Its slightly bitter notes balance out the sweetness of the other fruits, and the vibrant color makes the salad pop!
• oranges
  • I love using a mix of oranges for variety. Navel oranges are sweet and juicy and have a lighter orange color. Cara cara oranges have a slightly tangy, floral flavor and a brighter, much deeper orange color.
  • You can use just one type of orange if that’s easier, though.
• mandarins
  • Mandarins are small, sweet, and easy to peel, making them perfect for fruit salad.
• honey
  • A drizzle of honey ties everything together, adding a touch of extra sweetness. If your oranges are already sweet enough, you can skip it or adjust to your taste.
  • The honey acts as a salad "dressing", bringing it all together. I do like the flavor that it adds to the fruit salad.
• fresh mint
  • Fresh mint adds an extra dimension of flavor, bringing a cool, refreshing kick that perfectly complements the citrus.
  • It’s optional, but it really takes the salad to the next level!

How To Make Citrus Fruit Salad

The complete list of ingredients and their exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

1. Segment the Grapefruit and Oranges

• Start by segmenting the grapefruit and oranges, cutting the fruit out of the membrane. (See the next section for more details.)

2. Peel and Slice the Mandarins
Next, peel the mandarins and slice them into thin slices.

• If you try to peel and segment them like oranges or grapefruit, they are too delicate and fall apart. The skin is so thin, it's not needed here at all.

3. Combine Everything in a Bowl

• Once your citrus is prepped, gently toss all the segments together in a large bowl.

• Drizzle a little honey over the fruit and sprinkle in the fresh mint. The honey will add a natural sweetness and help bring all the flavors together. If your citrus is extra sweet (like really ripe mandarins or navel oranges), you might not need much honey. Add to taste!
• For the mint, you can either slice the leaves, or keep the smaller leaves whole and tear the larger ones.

5. Toss Everything Gently

• Gently toss the fruit, honey, and mint together, making sure everything is lightly coated. You don’t want to crush the delicate citrus segments, so a gentle mix will keep the salad looking pretty and fresh.

6. Serve and Store

• Serve immediately for the freshest, juiciest salad, or store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• If you’re keeping it in the fridge, just give it a quick stir before serving—sometimes the honey settles at the bottom, and you’ll want to mix it all back together for even sweetness.

How to Segment an Orange (or Grapefruit)

Segmenting citrus fruit sounds a bit fancy, but it’s actually pretty simple—and it can make a big difference in taste, especially when it comes to grapefruit. The membranes on grapefruit can be quite bitter, so removing them gives you all the juicy, sweet goodness without that bite.

When it comes to oranges, segmenting isn’t as crucial, so if you’re short on time, you can easily just peel and chop them.

1. Cut off the ends
Start by cutting off both ends of the fruit—about ½ inch from the top and bottom. This will give you a nice flat base to work with, making it easier to cut the peel off.

2. Remove the peel
Stand the fruit upright on one of the flat ends. Then, use a sharp knife to slice down the sides, following the natural curve of the fruit. Cut off the peel and pith (the white, bitter part) until the whole fruit is exposed.

3. Segment the fruit
Use your knife to carefully cut between the membranes that separate each segment. The membrane in grapefruit is pretty tough and bitter, so removing it makes a huge difference in flavor. Simply slice along the natural lines between the segments to pop them out.

5. Enjoy!
Now you’ve got perfectly segmented oranges and grapefruit ready to go! Whether you’re using them in a fruit salad or just enjoying them on their own, the fresh, juicy citrus is sure to shine.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

You can prep the citrus fruits in advance and store them in the fridge for a few days. Just add the mint and honey right before serving to keep everything fresh. If you’re storing the salad overnight, give it a quick toss to redistribute the honey and mint.

I love prepping fruit salads like these ahead of time because it saves me so much time and is so wonderful to have all the fruit chopped and ready to go.

This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The citrus fruits will stay juicy and delicious, but the mint may start to wilt, so it’s best to add it right before serving.

Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions