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!
Swathi says
I like the addition of tomato, citrus fruits in cloe slaw. I love those colorful and filling salad. I need to give this one a try.
Leanne says
Thanks Swathi! Hope you like it!
Amber says
I'm not a huge fan of classic coleslaw but this- I can do! Love the orange juice and smoked paprika in the vinaigrette and the fresh clementines and the extra crunch from walnuts.
Leanne says
Thanks Amber! I'm not a fan of classic coleslaw either. Hope you get a chance to make this one!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This was the perfect salad recipe for me! I love coleslaw mix and this one fit right into my alley. Crunch is what I always look forward to in a salad and this was perfect!
Leanne says
That's so great to hear. Thanks Sandhya! Glad you liked it!
Milena says
Absolutely vibrant - totally giving this salad a try! Great balance between flavors, colors and textures. Pinned.
Leanne says
Thank you Milena!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
I absolutely love cole slaw!! It's so crunchy, healthy and refreshing! I love the citrus add in this particular recipe, Leanne! It looks truly amazing! Happy 2020!
Leanne says
Thanks Haylie! Happy New Year to you too!
Leslie Kiszka says
I'm such a coleslaw slob, and this looks perfect to me (sans the blue cheese, because I can't eat it). It's not drowning in some sloppy mayo mess - love it!
Leanne says
Thanks Leslie! This salad totally works without the blue cheese too. Happy New Year!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
I love a salad with good texture - and this looks fantastic, Leanne.
Happy New Year!
Leanne says
Thanks Alex! Happy New Year to you too.
Terry says
I tried this recipe and it was delicious. A great, easy way to get some veggies in your meal!
Pics look amazing
Leanne says
Thanks Terry! I'm so glad you like the salad. I hope you don't mind the small tweaks I made to the recipe! 😉
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Traditional coleslaw has never been my favorite so I'm all about this version. It sounds so light and fresh! Happy New Year, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thanks Kelsie! Classic coleslaw is not for me either. Happy New Year to you too!
Terri says
Oh believe me, I'm looking for ways to get back on track. I had wine and some form of junk food EVERY DAY over the holidays! Thank you for this delicious inspiration!
Leanne says
Thanks Terri! I was craving this one after the holidays! Hope you had a lovely time celebrating!
Sharon says
I can;t get enough winter salads right now! This looks delish. I would totally use some fresh OJ just to make it even more gourmet. Thanks for sharing!!
Leanne says
Thanks Sharon! Winter citrus and lots of greens have been a staple these past few weeks. Glad you like the recipe!
Denise@Urbnspice says
I am not sure if anyone else is like me but I find that I am desperate for fresh vegetables after travelling. I would love to come home to a bowlful of your beautiful Winter Citrus Crunch Salad - so appealing, so healthy! Many thanks for the inspiration, Leanne! I am definitely pinning it to my "Salad Savvy" board.
Leanne says
Thanks so much for pinning Denise! And you're not alone. While I try to eat fruits and veggies while I travel, sometimes its challenging, and I definitely crave them when I come home!
Yvonne Langen says
This is such a great way to start the New Year off right. Thanks for the salad inspiration I needed Leanne!
Leanne says
Glad this one inspired you! Thanks Yvonne!
Kim R Lange says
Love everything about this salad! I can't wait to make it! 🙂 Pinning!
Leanne says
Thanks Kim! I hope you like it!
Elaine says
As you know, I love whole-meal salads like this one! Great with shredded chicken, and THANK YOU for adding blue cheese. Big fan here 🙂
Leanne says
Yes, you have so many great salad recipes Elaine! I've added shredded chicken to this one, and it works really well! And big blue cheese fan here too. I don't know why I don't add it to my salads more often!