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

32 Blood Orange Recipes to Make While They’re in Season? ›

Available from December to April, blood oranges are often both sweeter and less tart than other types of oranges, with a pleasantly bitter edge.

What month are blood oranges in season? ›

Available from December to April, blood oranges are often both sweeter and less tart than other types of oranges, with a pleasantly bitter edge.

Can you get blood oranges all year round? ›

The two also have different growing seasons. Navel oranges grow and can be eaten year-round. Blood oranges harvest season is much shorter, and they are only available in the winter and early spring. Navel and blood oranges have slightly different tastes.

What two fruits make a blood orange? ›

The blood orange is a natural mutation of the orange, which is itself a hybrid, probably between the pomelo and the tangerine. Within Europe, the arancia rossa di Sicilia (red orange of Sicily) has Protected Geographical Status.

What spices pair with blood orange? ›

If carefully dosed, chilli pepper enhances and adds character to every encounter. Blood orange also loves spices such as ginger, cardamom, aniseed, nutmeg and turmeric.

Which is sweeter, cara cara or blood oranges? ›

Both share a reputation for high-impact color and flavor. However, blood oranges are more widely used in sweet and savory recipes, while Cara Caras are used more on the sweet side.

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.

Can you get blood oranges in the summer? ›

This is also why blood oranges are harvested in winter. You're most likely to see them available for sale from December into April in the U.S., although depending on the weather in a given year, that season may extend for a month on either end.

Do blood oranges ripen after being picked? ›

2 Answers. You don't. Citrus fruits, unlike most other fruits, do not ripen after being picked from the tree.

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.

Are blood oranges good for your kidneys? ›

Citrus fruits

The more vitamin C in your diet, the better for your kidneys. Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits contain vitamin C in abundance. Consuming dilute lemon juice daily may help decrease the risk of kidney stone formation.

What is the tastiest blood orange? ›

Tarocco blood oranges are the sweetest of the blood orange varieties, and have long been cultivated in Sicily and other Mediterranean-like climates. There are at least three varieties of Tarocco oranges commercially available in California.

What is blood orange mixer? ›

Premium Juice Blood Orange Sour Mixer

Its sweet flavor, tinged with hints of berry, and exotic crimson-colored flesh blend perfectly in our blood orange mixer. We've combined it with single-pressed California lemon juice and Mexican lime juice for an unexpected and exotic twist on sour mix.

What herb goes well with blood orange? ›

Blood oranges pair particularly well with winter herbs like thyme, rosemary, and mint — some of our favorite winter herbs. Blood orange co*cktail recipes are also especially beautiful with their deep red-orange color.

Where are blood oranges grown in the USA? ›

Blood oranges continue to thrive in Mediterranean climates such as Italy, Spain and Malta. California, with its Mediterranean-like climate, produces the majority of the U.S. crop, though Arizona, Texas and Florida grow some as well. There are three main types of blood oranges: moro, tarocco and sanguinello.

Where are the best blood oranges? ›

Sanguinello blood oranges, a smaller variety with little to no seeds, are most popular in Spain. Tarocco blood oranges have the least vibrant flesh color of these varieties, but their sweetness has made them highly favored in Italy, where they are the most desired.

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.

Is blood orange healthier than orange? ›

Both oranges have similar amounts of vitamin C for nutrition. 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.

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