32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season (2024)

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32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season (1)

By Katherine Gillen

Published Aug 25, 2021

Additional reporting by

Taryn Pire

You’re craving something citrus-y. You could eat a regular old orange…or you could spring for a blood orange instead. Considering that the pretty fruit is officially in season, why wouldn’t you? Its flavor is subtly sweet with hints of bitter, tart grapefruit and juicy raspberries. Here are 32 blood orange recipes to try this winter that put its unique taste on display.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Sarah Copeland

1. Baked Feta With Dill, Caper Berries And Citrus

Baked feta has been in our arsenal long before it started trending on TikTok. Here, it's paired with bright citrus, briny olives and caper berries and fresh herbs.

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Erin McDowell

2. Citrus, Fennel And Avocado Salad

Sharp fennel + peppery arugula + buttery avocado + juicy blood oranges and grapefruit = the most well-rounded winter salad of all time. Top it with slivered almonds, sunflower seeds or pistachios for extra crunch.

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Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Orange And Chocolate Brioche Tarts

A brioche base stands in for traditional pie crust to make these stunningly unconventional tarts. In addition to deep-colored blood oranges, use Cara Cara oranges or mandarins for their extra sweet flavor.

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Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Broiled Citrus Ricotta Toast

We wish we looked half as good as this breakfast first thing in the morning. Don't worry about buying a fancy blowtorch to pull it off: Simply pop the honey-coated fruit in the broiler until it begins to caramelize.

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Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

5. Seared Scallops With Citrus-shallot Salad

You can use any type of orange you'd like for this seafood recipe. Whatever you do, be sure to thoroughly pat the scallops dry before searing them, so they get a drool-worthy outer crust.

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Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Katie Wayne

6. Mixed Citrus And California Avocado Salad With Poppyseed Dressing

Clementines, grapefruits and blood oranges will all taste equally divine drizzled in creamy coconut-lemon dressing.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Blood Orange Eton Mess

This old-school British dessert stars light-as-air meringue and whipped cream. Instead of traditional strawberries, we drench the crisp cookies in homemade blood orange curd.

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Nicole Franzen/Food: What the Heck Should I Cook?

8. Roasted Beet And Citrus Salad

When the weather is dreary and gray, this winter gem is sure to bring some vibrancy to your table. Think bright pink and gold beets, crimson blood oranges and verdant arugula.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Blood Orange-mint Gin Fizz

These sippers scream Christmas Eve co*cktail hour. We're partial to pairing the three-ingredient syrup with gin and prosecco, but it'd also taste great with vodka or plain seltzer.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Citrus Shortcake

Think of this shortcake as a massive dessert biscuit blanketed in fresh whipped cream. Keep the citrus fruit separate until you're about to serve your guests so the whipped cream stays in tip-top shape.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Winter Citrus And Pomegranate Salad

When in doubt, a flourish of pomegranate arils always makes a dish look better. (Not to mention a drizzle of orange-Dijon dressing, fresh citrus, chopped hazelnuts and shaved Parmesan cheese.)

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. 3-ingredient Blood Orange Granita

It's only three ingredients and 15 minutes away. Save even more time by using store-bought blood orange juice instead of freshly squeezed.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Ombré Citrus Upside-down Cake

We can hear your guests' oohs and aahs already. Using a range of lemons and oranges makes for the most Insta-worthy dessert of all time.

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14. Sheet Pan Cuban Chicken With Citrus Avocado Salsa

Healthy and effortless—our two favorite things. Can you believe it'll be on the table in less than an hour?

15. Citrus Avocado Salad

The tastiest way to load up on vitamin C. (Thanks, Gaby Dalkin.)

16. Blood Orange And Beet Buddha Bowl

Proof that this fruit can play the savory game, courtesy of Jerrelle Guy. The pièce de résistance? Blood orange-shallot vinaigrette.

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17. Blood Orange Green Smoothie

Looks like spinach…but it doesn’t taste like it. Shoutout to banana, pineapple and coconut milk for sweetening this smoothie up.

18. Citrus Seared Scallops

Some nights call for fresh and simple, yet still a little fancy. And this olive oil-kissed dinner is just the ticket.

19. Tropical Winter Fruit Salad With Caramelized Cashews And Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Behold: a salad for all seasons. Winter and summer collide in this mélange of mangoes, kiwis, bananas, blood oranges, pears and apples.

Salt and Wind

20. Blood Orange Thyme Paloma co*cktail

This calls for a toast. (Thanks, Aida Mollenkamp.) The recipe calls on blood orange soda and fresh lime juice instead of standard grapefruit juice.

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21. Immune Boosting Winter Citrus Smoothie

Crush cold-weather sniffles in their tracks with this powerhouse blend of turmeric, ginger and orange.

22. Blood Orange, Fennel And Avocado Salad With Lemon Citronette

Creamy, crunchy and totally irresistible. (BTW, citronette is a fancy word for a dressing that uses citrus juice for acidity instead of vinegar.)

23. Blood Orange And Beet Salad Over Honeyed Yogurt

Beets for breakfast? You bet. We'll take extra poppy seeds and honey on ours, please.

24. Winter Citrus Butter Salmon

Winter blues, be gone. Between the herb butter and citrus salsa, this salmon dish is bound to become one of your weeknight regulars.

25. Blood Orange Cold Brew Iced Coffee

If Coterie member Jesse Reilly says it’s good, we believe it. Feel free to repurpose the two-ingredient blood orange syrup in co*cktails.

26. Massaged Winter Brussels Sprout Salad

Jerrelle Guy knows the key to our heart: crisp Brussels sprouts, ultra-sweet roasted grapes and brown sugar-balsamic dressing.

27. Blood Orange Yogurt Cake

Not only is there fresh blood orange juice in the batter, but it's also the key to the sweet-and-sour icing on top.

28. Blood Orange Avocado Quinoa And Kale Salad

It tastes even better the next day, so go ahead and make a double batch of the blood orange vinaigrette.

29. Endive, Radicchio And Citrus Salad With Bacon Vinaigrette

A showstopper if we’ve ever seen one, courtesy of Katie Workman.

30. Chili Lime Shrimp And Quinoa Salad

The more citrus, the merrier. We have a feeling your coworkers will be super jealous of this simple, nutritious lunch. (Thanks, Carlene Thomas.)

31. Slow-roasted Citrus Salmon With Fennel And Parmesan

A more colorful bowl does not exist. Your new favorite dinner is loaded with salty grated Parm, fresh dill and tender egg noodles.

32. Blood Orange Frozen Yogurt

We don't care how cold is it outside—we're always down to indulge in a scoop or two of this sweet-tart delight.

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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.

32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season (34)

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

read full bio

32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season (35)

Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

read full bio

32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season (2024)

FAQs

What month are blood oranges in season? ›

Blood oranges tend to be easier to peel than other oranges, often have fewer seeds, and have a sweeter taste. Their season is typically from December through April, so they can be harder to find and more expensive than naval or other common oranges.

Can you get blood oranges in summer? ›

The anthocyanins – which give the orange its distinct maroon color – will only develop when temperatures are low at night, as during the Mediterranean fall and winter. Blood oranges cultivated in the United States are in season from December to March (Texas), and from November to May (California).

What two fruits make a blood orange? ›

The blood orange is the result of a cross between the pomelo and the tangerine that occurred naturally in Sicily, Italy, in the 17th century.

What does blood orange pair well with? ›

Blood orange pair well with all types of less acidic fruit. These kinds of fruits attenuate blood orange's tartness, therefore: apricots, figs, strawberries, lime, lemon, mango, apples, melon and peaches. A marriage with pineapple mitigates the sour and slightly sulphurous notes of this orange.

Should you refrigerate blood oranges? ›

Blood oranges will keep for a week at room temperature and longer in the fridge. In a citrus salad: Using a small, sharp knife, cut off the peel and white pith from a couple of blood oranges, pink grapefruits, and tangerines. Slice the fruit crosswise into rounds.

Can you get blood oranges year round? ›

Available from December to April, blood oranges are often both sweeter and less tart than other types of oranges, with a pleasantly bitter edge. Some people say they can even detect a hint of raspberry flavor.

Are blood oranges healthier than regular oranges? ›

The difference between these two varieties of orange is that blood oranges have an antioxidant called anthocyanin. This antioxidant gives blood oranges their distinct color, but it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, the blood orange is less tangy than a navel orange but has a floral tart taste.

What is the difference between a cara cara orange and a blood orange? ›

Because of their reddish-pink flesh, Cara Cara oranges are sometimes compared with blood oranges. Blood oranges, like Cara Caras, are also winter cultivars of Citrus sinensis. But the flesh of blood oranges is darker, ranging in color from a rosy pink shade to red, maroon, and a deep purplish, nearly black hue.

Do blood oranges ripen after being picked? ›

Oranges don't ripen after picking. You can, however, make the peel turn from green to orange by exposing the orange to ethylene gas (as given off by fruits like bananas or apples). This does nothing for the actual fruit, but it can make them more visually appealing.

Who can't eat blood oranges? ›

Blood oranges are also full of potassium. It's important to get enough potassium in your diet, but too much can cause problems for people who have been prescribed beta-blockers. These medications increase potassium levels as well, which can result in damage to your heart in excess.

What does blood orange do for the body? ›

Blood oranges are highly nutritious and contain several important vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They may also be linked to many health benefits, including weight loss, improved gut health, and better immune function. Plus, this citrus fruit is simply delicious.

Do blood oranges go bad? ›

Store blood oranges at room temperature and they'll last several days. You can extend their shelf life for as long as two weeks by placing them in the refrigerator. Bring your oranges to room temperature before eating them to maximize their flavor.

What flavor goes best with blood orange? ›

Blood orange: Pairs well with almond, cardamom, chocolate, cinnamon, clove, fig, ginger, honey, and other citrus fruits. Currants (black and red): Pair well with chocolate and citrus.

What is the tastiest blood orange? ›

Tarocco Blood Oranges from Pearson Ranch are technically the sweetest of the blood varieties. Tarocco Blood Oranges are a medium sized blood orange variety with virtually no seeds (although you may occasionally find one).

Which blood orange is the sweetest? ›

Native to Italy, tarocco blood oranges are one of the most popular orange varieties, not only for their characteristic ruby red blush but also for their superior sweetness and high vitamin C content.

Where are blood oranges grown in USA? ›

The red flesh varies in intensity depending on the variety, location where the trees are grown and the degree of fruit maturity. Brought to America in the 1930's by Italian and Spanish immigrants Blood Oranges are now grown commercially in Central and Southern California, Texas and Florida.

Where are the best blood oranges? ›

Having long been cultivated in Mediterranean climates like Spain and Sicily, California blood oranges have been on the map a while too now. And as you know, some of the best oranges in the world come from The San Joaquin Valley of California, with blood varieties being no exception.

When should you pick blood oranges? ›

Blood oranges are usually tastiest around early January, but the flesh gets deeper in color the later the cold weather lasts into February. Ujukitsus are ripe in late December. Pests: If you notice the leaves on new growth starting to curl, it is most likely citrus leaf miner.

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