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Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese

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Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese is refreshing and tart, with mixed greens, herbs and creamy goat cheese, all topped with a citrusy cilantro dressing. It’s great as a side salad or add some protein to make it an entrée!

Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese in a large grey bowl with a jar of cilantro dressing in the background.

Truth time. While I’ve been eating this salad on repeat all week, I’ve never been much of a fan of grapefruit. I mean, I love the smell of grapefruit, and enjoy grapefruit flavoured beverages, but to sit down and eat a full grapefruit just never occurred to me.

It was one of those things I tried as a child, and thought it tasted like germs, so I’ve avoided it as an adult.

I also avoided cilantro until a few years ago because, like some people, it tasted like soap to me.

But that’s a story for another day. My point is, in adulthood, my tastes have evolved. (I would say matured, but that might be stretching it!)

Overhead view of ingredients to make Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese.

Since Christmas, I’ve been in full citrus mode (hello, Cara Cara oranges, I will miss you when you’re gone)!

So in the spirit of devouring all things citrus, I picked up some pink grapefruit to try in a few recipes. To be honest, I just thought they would look great in pictures, and add a nice flair to some cocktails.

But a few weeks later, I’m sitting around eating grapefruit. Who would have thought?!

Up-close view of pink grapefruit slices in a white bowl.

And my favourite way to enjoy grapefruit has been in this Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese. The refreshing and tart taste of the grapefruit pairs nicely with the citrusy cilantro and other herbs. And the creaminess of the goat cheese and crunch from the red onion, add contrasting textures to this salad.

The best part – this one is so quick and easy to whip up, and makes a great side salad, or full entrée if you add some protein.

Up-close side view of Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese in a grey bowl.

Some tips for making Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese:

  • I used a fresh herb mix that included baby lettuce, red and green chard, arugula, radicchio, parsley, dill, celery leaves and cilantro. If you can’t find a herb mix to purchase, you can make your own by using whatever greens and herbs you have on hand.
  • The recipe calls for extra cilantro (in addition to the herb mix). If this flavour is too overpowering for you, just leave out the extra cilantro or substitute more parsley.
  • I thinly sliced the grapefruit with the skin on, and added them to the salad in a more decorative way. You can absolutely peel the grapefruit, and add slices or chunks to the salad.
  • The salad is topped with a simple cilantro dressing made with fresh cilantro, extra virgin olive oil, fresh grapefruit juice, honey and white wine vinegar. Again, if cilantro is not your thing, you can add parsley, but just note it will change the taste.
  • For a dairy-free version of this salad, you can use avocado instead of goat cheese. It will replace the creamy texture of the cheese, and also add some healthy fats.

Overhead view of Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese in a grey bowl with wooden serving spoons.

If you make this Grapefruit Salad, I would love to hear about it in the comments below. Or take a pic and share it on Instagram by tagging @crumbtopbaking.

And if you’re looking for other refreshing salad recipes, you can always check out the following on Crumb Top Baking:

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Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese in a large grey bowl with a jar of cilantro dressing in the background.

Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese

★★★★★ 5 from 25 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 side salads
  • Category: Dinner; Lunch
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Description

Grapefruit Salad with Cilantro and Goat Cheese is refreshing and tart, with mixed greens, herbs and creamy goat cheese, all topped with a citrusy cilantro dressing. It’s great as a side salad or add some protein to make it an entrée!

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, packed, stems mostly removed
  • 1 medium-sized pink grapefruit, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar

For the salad:

  • 4–5 cups greens/herb mix, packed (see note)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed, stems mostly removed
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 large pink grapefruit, sliced with skin on or peeled and split into wedges (see note)
  • 1/2 medium-sized red onion, peeled and sliced lengthwise

Instructions

Make the dressing:

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until well combined but bits of cilantro still remain.
  2. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Just shake or stir before adding to the salad.

Assemble the salad:

  1. In a large bowl, add the greens/herb mix, cilantro, goat cheese, grapefruit and onion. Add the desired amount of dressing and toss to combine.

Notes

  1. I used a fresh herb mix that included baby lettuce, red and green chard, arugula, radicchio, parsley, dill, celery leaves and cilantro. If you can’t find a herb mix to purchase, you can make your own by using whatever greens and herbs you have on hand.
  2. I thinly sliced the grapefruit with the skin on, and added them to the salad. You can also peel the grapefruit, and add slices or chunks to the salad.
  3. If the extra cilantro is too overpowering for you, just leave it out or substitute more parsley. You can also substitute parsley for cilantro in the dressing, just note it will change the taste.
  4. If you’re prepping this salad in advance, add the dressing to the salad just before serving to prevent the greens and herbs from wilting.

Keywords: grapefruit, salad, cilantro, lunch, dinner

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marissa says

    This is one spectacular salad, Leanne! Love the mix of herbs! Swooning over your photos too! (btw, I would totally eat the grapefruit peel!)

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  2. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

    Hhaha.. I have never thought that grapegruit tasted like germs! I wonder what that even tastes like!
    This is such an interesting combo! I don’t make nearly enough salad (read: none at all) I especially like the goat cheese in this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Leanne says

      Haha! I don’t know where I got that from. But I remember thinking it ever since I was a child! Some things just stick with you! Hope you give this salad a go!

      Reply

  4. Pam Greer says

    What a gorgeous salad! I am huge grapefruit fan, so this is going on our menu for this weekend!! I love every single thing in this salad!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  6. Aleta says

    Yummm!!! I have been searching for a new salad to switch up the kale caesar I’ve been eating all winter. I love the flavour combinations you’ve got goin’ on, especially the goat cheese and grapefruit! Can’t wait to taste it 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Leanne says

      Thanks Aleta! I’m with you on the kale caesar salad! I’ve been enjoying that one this winter too! But this goat cheese and grapefruit salad was a nice change!

      Reply

  7. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    What a beautiful winter salad – yay to the season of citrus fruit! The combination of grapefruit and cilantro is unusual for me, but I bet it’s super delicious. Well done!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  9. marcie says

    I’ve been living off of citrus (almost!) and grapefruit is one that I’ve always loved. I don’t think it needs sugar to be delicious either. 🙂 This looks perfectly refreshing with the grapefruit and cilantro, and the creamy goat cheese is such a great addition!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Leanne says

      Thanks Sharon! The dressing is really nice on all kinds of salad! I made a beef fajita salad last week, and the cilantro dressing was a great addition!

      Reply

    • Leanne says

      Hahah! I’m glad you liked that one! It’s just what I always thought it tasted like! Hope you get to try grapefruit in salad some time soon! They really add a nice flavour to greens!

      Reply

  14. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    Love grapefruit and cilantro has grown on me and now I’m the biggest fan! Such a refreshing salad, definitely much needed as I look outside and see the blustery snow. Extra goat cheese for me please 😉 Happy Monday!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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