Orange Onion Salad

Growing up, my grandmother always told me that onions kept our bodies cool during the summer. As I grew older, I discovered she was spot on: Eating raw onions seemed to help regulate my body temperature. This vibrant orange salad recipe enhances the refreshing qualities of raw red onion with sweet orange segments and crunchy romaine lettuce, which also tames some of its pungency. It all comes together with a fresh, acidic dressing to create an ideal potluck side dish or summery appetizer for a picnic.

This citrus onion salad is visually stunning as is, but it’s also highly versatile if you want to make any ingredient swaps. Substitute another citrus variety like blood oranges to incorporate a complex, tart, almost berry-like character, or cara cara oranges for a sweeter, less acidic flavor profile. Even the onions can be changed, with Vidalia onions bringing sweetness to the dish and white onions adding a stronger, sharper taste. Play around with different combinations until you land on your favorite.

Ingredients for Orange Onion Salad

• Toasted almonds: There are plenty of easy ways to toast nuts. Here, we use butter to bring out the almonds’ nuttiness and make them crispy. That buttery crunch contributes a much-needed richness to the orange onion salad.
• Salad dressing: This simple orange salad dressing combines lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, white pepper and vegetable oil. The sugar balances the acidic lemon juice, while the Dijon adds sharp and spicy notes.
• Lettuce: Fresh, crunchy romaine provides a refreshing element to the salad. Feel free to use another common lettuce variety if you don’t have romaine on hand.
• Oranges: Oranges add a wonderful sweet-sour flavor that complements the savory ingredients. The sections provide pops of juiciness that liven up the palate with every bite.
• Onion: Raw red onions are bright and sharp, standing up to the sweetness of the oranges.

Directions

Step 1: Toast the almonds

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the almonds until they’re golden brown.

Transfer the almonds to paper towels to drain.

Editor’s Tip: You don’t want the stove to be higher than medium heat, as a high heat can cause the almonds to burn before they’re properly toasted. Medium heat ensures they’ll cook evenly.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a large bowl, combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt and white pepper. Beat in the oil.

Editor’s Tip: We’re essentially creating an oil and vinegar dressing, except with lemon juice instead of vinegar. Oil doesn’t mix easily with other liquids, so we suggest using a hand whisk instead of a spoon or fork. Better yet, a handheld milk frother can make this step faster and even more efficient.

Step 3: Bring it all together

Combine the lettuce, orange sections, onion slices and almonds. Toss them with the dressing, and serve the salad immediately.

Editor’s Tip: Toss the toppings gently to preserve their individual textures. Now is also the time to taste the salad and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add a little onion powder for earthiness or some crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy spice.

Recipe Variations

• Use different nuts: Your choice of nuts can change the overall flavor of this fresh orange and onion salad. Almonds are slightly sweet and nutty, while pecans offer even more sweetness. You could even use walnuts, which add a slight bitter contrast to the oranges and onions.
• Add blue cheese: Blue cheese adds a bold, salty counterbalance to the orange’s sweetness and acidity. Its creamy texture offers another dimension to accentuate the crunchy onion and lettuce.
• Make it a meal: Add a protein, like a juicy honey-grilled chicken breast or a grilled salmon fillet, to take this salad from a simple side dish to a satisfying meal.

How to Store Orange Onion Salad

Store leftover orange onion salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will technically last up to four days, but we recommend consuming it as soon as possible, before the produce starts to wilt.

Can you make orange onion salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the components of orange onion salad in advance, but we don’t recommend bringing them all together until you’re ready to serve. The dish should be served immediately to preserve its texture. Leaving it in the refrigerator for too long may cause the lettuce to wilt or the onion to lose its signature bite and sharp flavor.

Instead, you can prep the salad dressing up to four days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Cut the produce and store each in a separate airtight container.

Orange Onion Salad Tips

Can I use a different type of citrus in this salad?

You can make this orange onion salad with any citrus fruits that you enjoy eating or that are available to you. Choosing ripe oranges is key, whether you’re using vibrant blood oranges, bitter grapefruits or aromatic mandarins. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment with citrus. You can even mix multiple kinds to create a symphony of flavors.

How do I reduce the sharpness of raw onions in onion salad recipes?

One of the main ways to temper a raw onion’s signature sharpness is to soak it in cold water. Slice your onions as directed, then submerge them in ice-cold water for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can lightly pickle them. Different types of vinegar or citrus juice can help neutralize a raw onion’s bite.

What proteins can I pair with citrus onion salad for a complete meal?

You can pair citrus onion salad with many different proteins, but we like grilled or smoked chicken, as the grill’s smokiness provides a distinct savoriness to contrast with the fresh salad. Fish is another great protein to consider. We suggest salmon or grilled mahi mahi for the perfect summer meal.