Favorite Winter Citrus Recipes

From sweet tangerines to tangy grapefruits, citrus fruits can liven up any dish with a fruity kick and pop of color. Often thought to be a summer staple for pitchers of lemonade and bowls of sorbet, citrus fruits are actually in the peak of their season during the winter months. That means – for a welcome alternative to classic comfort foods – that citrus fruits are a great addition to sweet and savory winter dishes alike. For inspiration, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite citrus recipes from the Yankee archives for you to try and enjoy.

Favorite Winter Citrus Recipes

Buttermilk-Citrus Coffee Cake

If you like citrus, this is the cake for you. It gets a flavor punch from three sources: the zest in the batter, the candied citrus slices on top, and the citrus syrup poured over the cake while it’s still warm.

Citrus Mango Salsa

This Citrus Mango Salsa, a lively accompaniment to pork, adds both bright flavor and bold colors.

Citrusy Seared Sea Scallops on Wilted Greens

This Citrusy Seared Sea Scallops on Wilted Greens salad is a great winter salad when you’re craving something light and bright, but still substantial.

Orange Pork Chops

If there’s one food item that needs jazzing up, it’s a pork chop. And while there doesn’t seem to be anything special about this recipe for Orange Pork Chops on paper, the finished product is exceptionally good.

Grapefruit Oatmeal Scones with Citrus Glaze

Adapted from a tasty recipe for Scottish Oat Scones, these breakfast treats are studded with sweet grapefruit and topped with a tangy citrus glaze.

Arugula and Blood Orange Salad

Low in calories and sodium and charged with vitamins and minerals, citrus fruits adapt well to green salads.

Easy Lemon Sherbet

Refreshing in summer and a reminder of warm days in winter, this easy homemade lemon sherbet is creamy, sweet, tart, and light on the tongue.

Lemon Zest Cake

This lemon pound cake in a Bundt cake pan drizzled with a simple lemon glaze is refreshing and flavorful. Top the cake with sliced strawberries for a delicious twist.

Bay Scallops Sautéed with Almonds and Orange

This recipe takes the rich flavor of bay scallops and turns up the volume with almond flour (finely ground almonds) and thinly sliced almonds (hazelnuts work well, too). For balance, a touch of orange juice adds a light note and brightens the dish.

Lemon Squares

Our readers tell us this recipe for lemon squares is always a big hit at parties, and we couldn’t agree more! The sweet and tart flavors blend in perfect harmony.

Glazed Grapefruit Pound Cake

Like a warm ray of sunshine, this rich glazed grapefruit poundcake is the perfect cake to cure your winter blues.

Which winter citrus recipes are your favorite?

Cathryn McCann

While on staff as digital assistant editor, Cathryn wrote and promoted content for NewEngland.com and its social media channels. Prior to this role, she lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard as a newspaper reporter, covering everything from environmental issues and education to crime and politics.

More by Cathryn McCann