Amongst all the Brussels sprouts, kale and hearty winter squashes, you might be surprised to learn that citrus is also in season. Tangy fruits, like grapefruit, clementine, oranges and kiwis, are best during the chilly months and offer a burst of refreshing flavor to dishes. Touted for their high quantities of vitamin C, citrus fruits also deliver a hit of fiber and potassium. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that works to support collagen and help prevent skin damage. Think of it as adding another layer of sunscreen. Meanwhile, both fiber and potassium are great for boosting your heart health. So if you want to glow from the inside out and keep your blood pumping strong, incorporate these juicy fruits into your meals — starting with these delicious, immune-boosting recipes.
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13 Immune-Boosting Citrus Fruits Recipes
1. Kiwi and Avocado Chicken Salad
A low-maintenance lunch recipe that looks like an elegant dish? It’s something to be treasured. In this recipe, the mouthwatering garlic aioli takes a plain, ‘ol chicken salad to the next level. Note: Instead of using mayo, you can opt for plain Greek yogurt (extra protein, check!). Then there’s the avocado, kiwi and orange salad to add the sweetness you crave. Top with crushed hazelnuts for some crunch. Photo and recipe: Julie & Debbie / Cooks with Cocktails
2. Spicy Veggie Tacos with Citrus Salad
Roasted chickpeas and cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy jerk seasoning to give this dish the same meaty flavor in traditional tacos. But the bold flavor doesn’t stop there. We top these tacos with a refreshing fruit salsa made with chunks of grapefruit, lime and orange, plus minced jalapeno, onion and mint. Photo and recipe: Christine / What do You Crave
3. Candied Cardamom Grapefruit
These grapefruit candies are an upgrade from your favorite childhood sour fruit gummies. Instead of running out to the nearest deli to pick up a bag, try this incredibly easy recipe. Simply cut the pretty pink fruit’s rind into strips and bring them to a boil. Then, let them dry before coating them in a cardamom-sugar mixture. Store them in a Mason jar to sate your sweet tooth when a craving hits. Photo and recipe: Meredith Steele / Steele House Kitchen
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4. Pan Seared Halibut with Citrus-Jalapeno Salsa
Looking for a super-quick weeknight meal? This recipe is best when you’re starving coming home from a workout. Halibut delivers the lean protein, while the citrus-jalapeno salsa packs fiber and a fiery finish. Photo and recipe: Serena Wolf / Domesticate Me
5. Kiwi Chia Pudding with Coconut Milk
You’ll want to make a double batch of this delicious chia pudding for breakfast because it’s just that good for you. Kiwi’s got your vitamin C and fiber, while chia seeds bring the omega-3 fatty acids to the party. Soak those chia seeds in coconut milk for at least 20 minutes and you’ll get your pudding-like consistency. Top with mixed seeds and nuts for some filling, healthy fat. Photo and recipe: Ana-Maria / Detox DIY
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6. Loaded Sweet Potato
Next time you have a craving for something different, give this loaded potato recipe a whirl. Unlikely toppings include tomato-basil lentil crisps, toasted marshmallows and cinnamon-cayenne pepper dusted grapefruit wedges. Your taste buds will be pleasantly delighted! Photo and recipe: Celeste Wilson / The True Spoon
7. Pan Roasted Salmon with Garlicky Kale and Citrus Vinaigrette
The zesty citrus vinaigrette enhances salmon’s naturally subtle flavors. Kale — another excellent source of vitamin C — is sautéed with garlic and shallots to help soften it up. Bonus: The olive oil used for cooking it all is loaded with monounsaturated fats that can help lower your risk for heart disease. Photo and recipe: Nicole Leggio / Cooking for Keeps
8. Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Blood Oranges and Fennel
This colorful bowl is almost too gorgeous to eat. (Almost.) Fluffy quinoa will fill you up and serves as a source of protein. And with good-for-fat sources avocado and almonds, plus the deliciously sweet blood orange, there are too many benefits to pass up! Photo and recipe: Aysegul Sanford / Foolproof Livin
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9. Jamaican Jerk and Citrus Pineapple Roasted Chicken
If you can’t make it to paradise, you could at least make it come to you, in the form of this jerk chicken recipe. The spicy and sweet flavors of the Caribbean come through in the marinade, which is made with pomegranate molasses, coconut rum, habanero chilies, garlic and green onions. This dish goes deeper into the tropics when we roast oranges, grapefruit and limes with the chicken to caramelize their flavor. Photo and recipe: Tieghan Gerard / Half Baked Harvest
10. Winter Citrus Galette
We’d like to think of this galette as winter’s version of a fruit tart. Flaky dough envelopes a plethora of fruit slices, including oranges, blood oranges and clementines. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s darn tasty, too. Photo and recipe: Tessa Fisher / Salted Plains
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11. Winter Greens and Citrus Salad
The Dijon vinaigrette gives this mix an unexpectedly delicious tang. The best part: The vitamin C in the oranges and grapefruit helps your body digest the iron in the leafy kale. Oh, and it’s only 209 calories for the whole delicious thing. Top with fennel for extra bold flavor. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
12. Orange Teriyaki Beef with Pineapple, Edamame Fried Rice
Do your traditional beef and broccoli dish one better with this citrus teriyaki upgrade. Flank steak is marinated in a soy, orange, garlic and honey sauce, making this dish one flavor-packed meal. Opt for brown rice or another whole grain in your pineapple fried rice to make it more filling. Photo and recipe: Tieghan Gerard / Half Baked Harvest
13. Coconut Kiwi Banana Bread
Banana bread itself is pretty tough to beat. But add a kiwi-coconut combo, and you’re sure to be hooked. Kiwi packs a pretty big vitamin C punch, even bigger than oranges, so you’ll get a full daily dose of the antioxidant with just one fruit. Photo and recipe: Dea Mason / The Baking Robot