Citrus Crunch Salad is fresh and flavourful with crunchy veggies and walnuts, crumbled blue cheese and a tangy citrus vinaigrette. It's a healthier version of coleslaw that takes just 10 minutes to assemble. You can serve it as a side salad or add chicken to enjoy it as a main meal!
This post was originally published in January 2019. It has been updated to include adjustments to the recipe as well as new text and photos.
Happy New Year! And just like that, it's 2020! How did you celebrate?
We spent most of the holiday season relaxing, and New Year's Eve was no exception. We enjoyed lots of food, watched movies and rang in 2020 with some bubbly.
But now it's time to get back to a routine, and the first order of business is adding more veggies back into our meals.
This Citrus Crunch Salad is a great way to do that. If you have 10 minutes, you can whip up this salad for weekday lunches or as a side salad for dinner. Add some pre-cooked chicken or salmon to make it an all-in-one meal.
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Orange juice
- Red wine vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
For the salad:
- Pre-packaged coleslaw mix (red and green cabbage, carrots)
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Clementines
- Walnuts
- Blue cheese
How to make this coleslaw salad
This one comes together quickly and easily. Just assemble and toss.
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- In a glass jar with a lid, add all of the vinaigrette ingredients. Seal and shake.
- In a large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients, pour on the vinaigrette and toss until everything is well combined.
FAQs
This salad is best enjoyed immediately after it's assembled. If you want to make it ahead of time, wait to add the walnuts, clementines and vinaigrette until just before serving. This will ensure the salad stays fresh and crunchy.
If you're making this salad in advance, you will need to store the vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake before adding it to the salad.
The walnuts add most of the the crunch (in addition to the crunchy coleslaw mix). If you don't have or like walnuts, you can add almonds, pecans or cashews. You can also substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds to make it a nut-free salad.
Blue cheese adds a punch of flavour and pairs nicely with the citrusy vinaigrette. But if blue cheese isn't for you, try another flavourful cheese like feta or goat cheese.
While I used clementines in this winter citrus salad, you can also use blood oranges, cara cara oranges or tangerines.
How to add this citrus salad to your meal prep routine:
- Make the vinaigrette, divide it into four separate jars and refrigerate.
- Combine the coleslaw mix, tomatoes and cheese and divide into four separate containers. Refrigerate.
- Package your walnuts separately. I like to keep them refrigerated too.
- Peel and separate your clementines just before serving.
- Add pre-cooked chicken or salmon to make it a meal.
Additional tips and substitutions
- If you can't find pre-packaged coleslaw mix, any mix of crunchy veggies will work in this salad such as shredded Brussels sprouts or a broccoli slaw mix. You can even shred your own cabbage and carrot. Just note that this will add to the prep time.
- I used no-sugar added orange juice in the vinaigrette, but you can also use freshly squeezed orange juice.
More citrus salads
- Winter Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing is a mix of fresh greens, veggies and fruit tossed with a simple citrus honey dressing made with clementines, honey, oil, vinegar and parsley.
- 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 vinaigrette.
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Citrus Crunch Salad (Healthier Coleslaw)
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons no-sugar added orange juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Dash of ground black pepper
For the salad:
- 6 cups coleslaw mix, red and green cabbage and carrot
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup walnut pieces
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 3 clementines, peeled and separated
Instructions
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small jar with a lid, add all the ingredients for the vinaigrette and shake well. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add all the salad ingredients, including the vinaigrette. Mix until well combined. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you're making this salad ahead of time, wait to add the walnuts, clementines and the dressing until just before serving. This will ensure the salad stays fresh and crunchy.
- The vinaigrette calls for no-sugar added orange juice, but you can also use freshly squeezed orange juice.
- If making the vinaigrette in advance, refrigerate until ready to use. Just shake well before adding it to the salad.
- I used clementines in this salad, but tangerines or blood oranges would also work nicely.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Terri says
#wintergoals getting more veggies, so this is just perfect for me. I love how colourful it is, but especially how quick it is!
Leanne says
Thanks Terri! I have those winter goals too!
Trish Cowper says
What a gorgeous salad! Perfect way to start the new year 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks Trish!
Sabrina says
This recipe is sooo delicious! I had to make it after seeing it on your Instagram. I’m a big fan of cabbage salad but this kicked it up a notch. Thanks Leanne!!!
Leanne says
Thanks Sabrina! I'm so glad you liked it! Appreciate the feedback!
Kate says
Definitely looking forward to trying this. Add a roast chicken and you’ve got a perfect meal. Delicious!
Leanne says
Pairing this salad with chicken sounds perfect for dinner! Thanks Kate!
Colleen says
So much delicious in this vibrant salad. And I love all the contrasting flavours of the citrus, blue cheese and walnuts. Difinitely a must try. Thanks, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thanks Colleen! I'm glad you like the different flavours!
Ayngelina says
Coleslaw is one of my favourite things but I think it's time I lightened it up!
Leanne says
Well, this recipe is for you! 😉
marcie says
I absolutely love slaw and could eat it daily -- it's so addictively crunchy! I love the citrus and blue cheese you added here. Great twist!
Leanne says
Thanks Marcie! The blue cheese definitely adds a twist. And I've been eating this slaw almost every day for lunch!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says
This is such a beautiful salad Leanne! It looks so crunchy and perfect for trying to wean off all the holiday sugar! Pinned!
Leanne says
Thanks Tasia! Appreciate you pinning!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
Happy New Year!! This looks so crisp and delicious! Perfect with chicken if ya ask me!
Leanne says
Definitely works well with chicken! Thanks Kelly and Happy New Year to you too!
cindy says
Such a delicious winter salad. I've been looking for more ways to increase my salad and cabbage eating. Trying to eat more suflur types of veggeies. This is perfect for me! Love the citrus to make this salad even more exciting
Leanne says
Thanks so much Cindy! I hope you get a chance to make it!
Matt - Total Feasts says
What a fresh sounding salad! Perfect for a meal or a side!
Leanne says
Thanks Matt!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Yay for all things veggie and green! I'm definitely detoxing from all the sugar over the holidays. I could just eat a giant bowl of this for lunch and dinner and call it a day. Happy 2020, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thanks Katherine! I agree. A giant bowl of this salad is definitely in order. Happy New Year to you too!