Simple, 3-ingredient grapefruit vinaigrette recipe! This zesty grapefruit salad dressing is bursting with citrus flavor and is perfect for brightening up your salads.
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Hi there, Rhubarbarians! Are you ready to give your greens a tangy twist? Let's make some fresh grapefruit vinaigrette.
This homemade vinaigrette, with its spotlight ingredient being fresh grapefruit juice, is a celebration of all things light and zesty. It's a game-changer for not just salads but for drizzling over steamed veggies or as a citrusy marinade.
I use grapefruit juice to make a salad dressing whenever I need a mega citrus burst (hello, middle of winter) to brighten up a meal. Have you tried grapefruit in salads yet? Oh, it's amazing! Try this grapefruit quinoa salad or this strawberry avocado and grapefruit salad whenever you're craving a bright and refreshing bowl.
More sauces and dressings to try:
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Why You'll Love This
You have to try fresh grapefruit in grapefruit vinaigrette. Its tangy and sweet notes can brighten any salad.
With just 3 ingredients, you can whip this up in only minutes. Its versatility shines when drizzled over leafy greens or a crunchy slaw.
Easy, simple, refreshing, and perfect for grapefruit lovers. Like a glass of tart sunshine!
When is grapefruit season? Grapefruit is a cold weather plant, peaking in the winter. Growing seasons will vary from state to state, but grapefruits will continue to grow until the temperatures start to rise.
You can read more about grapefruit in our guide to grapefruit here!
Ingredients and equipment
Here is everything you need to craft a grapefruit vinaigrette at home. Full ingredient amounts with instructions are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.
Ingredients:
- Freshly squeezed ruby grapefruit juice: look for grapefruits that feel heavy and have a slight give to them when pressed.
- White wine vinegar: or your favorite mild vinegar.
- Extra virgin olive oil: go for good quality olive oil.
Equipment:
- Jar with tight fitting lid: I like to use 16 ounce mason jars with screw top lids.
- OR small bowl with whisk: an option if you don't have a container with a tight fitting lid.
- Citrus juicer: grapefruit can be tough to squeeze!
- Measuring cups: for measuring your liquids.
Step by step instructions
A detailed guide to making homemade grapefruit vinaigrette. Full instructions with ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.
- Juice the grapefruit: you'll need ½ cup of freshly squeezed ruby grapefruit juice (about 1 grapefruit)
- Combine ingredients: combine the juice, oil, and vinegar in a 16 ounce glass jar with tight fitting lid. I like to use mason jars for this.
- Emulsify: Place the lid on the jar and shake well. Once the liquids have combined and you don't see any separation, the dressing is emulsified.
- Serve: Pour your desired amount over salads, veggies, grains, etc.
Serving Suggestions
This grapefruit vinaigrette isn't just for salads! Here are my favorite ways to use it.
As a salad dressing: Toss this with mixed greens for a refreshing bite. It pairs beautifully with avocado and fennel for a blend of creamy and crunchy textures.
As a sauce: Pour this over some roasted veggies like beets. It also goes well with grains like quinoa. Great for a roasted veggie power bowl sauce.
As a marinade: Try marinating chickpeas or even tofu before cooking them! Or use it to marinate your favorite protein (fish or meat if that's what you'd like).
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- Choose your grapefruit: go for ruby grapefruits if you can find them, as they are the sweetest grapefruit variety. Choose ripe and juicy grapefruits for the best flavor. The grapefruit should feel heavy and have a slight give when pressed.
- Add sweetness: if the vinaigrette is too tart, add some honey or sugar to your desired sweetness level.
- Add flavor: try adding a spoonful of dijon mustard, finely minced shallot, or maybe a dash of cayenne pepper to your dressing if you'd like a more complex flavor.
- Add herbs: try adding fresh mint, tarragon, or basil to the dressing. Especially great for marinating!
- Swap the vinegar: swap the white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar or champagne vinegar for a different flavor profile.
Storing and Freezing
Freshness is key for the bold flavor of your grapefruit vinaigrette. I store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This dressing keeps well for up to a week. I like to use glass mason jars with screw top lids so I can shake the dressing right in the container it's stored in.
- Give it a good shake before you pour: The juice and oil can settle or separate, but nothing a vigorous shake can't fix!
- Spot any separation? Don't fret: It's natural for vinaigrettes to separate. A quick shake and they're ready for that salad you're thinking about right now.
- Sniff and taste test: After a few days, do a quick quality check. If it passes the sight, smell, and taste test, it's good to go onto your greens.
- Avoid contamination: Double-dipping or a dirty spoon can introduce bacteria that spoil your vinaigrette faster, so always use clean utensils.
Freezing is not recommended, as the dressing will break and the texture will be off.
FAQs
Have a question? You may find the answer here! If not, leave your question in the comment section at the bottom of article and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
While fresh grapefruit juice is recommended for optimal flavor, you can use bottled juice if fresh is unavailable. However, be mindful that bottled juice may lack the vibrancy of freshly squeezed and will likely contain added sugar.
Yes, you can prepare the vinaigrette ahead of time. In fact, allowing it to sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator enhances the flavors. Remember to whisk or shake before serving.
If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar can be excellent substitutes for white wine vinegar. Or try distilled white vinegar.
Did you make this recipe? Leave us a review and star rating in the comments below! We read every single review and appreciate your feedback.
Recipe
Grapefruit vinaigrette recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup ruby grapefruit juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium sized (16 ounce) glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
- Place the lid on the jar and shake until the liquid combines and emulsifies.
Notes
-
- Choose your grapefruit: go for ruby grapefruits if you can find them, as they are the sweetest grapefruit variety. Choose ripe and juicy grapefruits for the best flavor. The grapefruit should feel heavy and have a slight give when pressed.
-
- Add sweetness: if the vinaigrette is too tart, add some honey or sugar to your desired sweetness level.
-
- Add flavor: try adding a spoonful of dijon mustard, finely minced shallot, or maybe a dash of cayenne pepper to your dressing if you'd like a more complex flavor.
-
- Add herbs: try adding fresh mint, tarragon, or basil to the dressing. Especially great for marinating!
-
- Swap the vinegar: swap the white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar or champagne vinegar for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
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