25 Orange Recipes Sure to Brighten Any Meal (2024)

25 Orange Recipes Sure to Brighten Any Meal (1)

Oranges are the stars of the produce aisle come winter, and why shouldn't they be? they're bright and pretty, refreshing and sweet, and they couldn't be more versatile. Whether you're using the juice, zest, or fruit itself, this stalwart citrus lends itself well to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes, from showstopping cakes to weeknight chicken dinners. Here, we're sharing are our favorite recipes featuring oranges.

First, a few handy bits of information—otherwise known as the basics of choosing and storing oranges, which ensures that you always have this favorite citrus in tip-top condition to snack on or when you want to make any of the recipes here. When are oranges in season? They're at their peak between December and April, and that's when we most enjoy them. Since oranges keep well in cold storage, they can be found in supermarkets throughout the year.

The most common variety for eating is the navel orange, so named because the blossom end often resembles a navel. The skin of a ripe navel orange ranges in color from deep orange to yellow-green. Choose fruit that's heavy for its size and free of soft spots. When you bring oranges home, you can store them at room temperature for several days or keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

You can enjoy oranges any time of the day: Start your morning with an Orange Shake, which uses the two whole peeled oranges, or waffles made with fresh citrus. At lunch, enjoy a salad with avocado, orange, beets, and lettuces. And for dinner, feast on Roasted Chicken with Dates, Citrus, and Olives followed by Maple Orange Granita or a Fresh Orange and Yogurt Tart.

Whichever dishes you choose to make, we promise that these orange recipes will give your diet some much needed sunshine this winter and beyond.

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Orange-Vanilla Shake

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Blending two peeled oranges with their pith intact gives our ode to an Orange Julius its fiber, which is essential for healthy digestion, says Charleston, South Carolina, registered dietitian Lauren Manaker.

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Orange-Fennel-Olive Relish

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This bright-orange relish is a perfect accompaniment to pan-seared salmon, but it's also great on grilled chicken cutlets or tossed into a salad with cooked grains and feta.

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Orange-Barley Pound Cake

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Barley flour, cream cheese, and orange zest elevate the humble pound cake. Finish with a simple orange liqueur-spiked glaze and more freshly grated zest.

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Root-Vegetable Soup with Orange, Ginger, and Tarragon

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Orange juice and zest and freshly grated ginger wake up this creamy pureed soup. Garnish with orange segments, tarragon, and cracked pepper for a stunning presentation.

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Roasted Chicken with Dates, Citrus, and Olives

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Have you tried roasting citrus yet? It's a revelation, especially when served with a whole bird. Pair the juice with white wine, dates, green olives, and thyme for an irresistible pan sauce.

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Olive-Topped Orange Slices

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This Mediterranean-inspired appetizer mixes the lively flavors of oranges, Castelvetrano olives, fresh mint, and Aleppo pepper. Lemon juice, olive oil, and flaky salt round out the dish.

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Orange Wheat Shandy

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Freshly-squeezed orange juice plays nicely with wheat beer—to say nothing of the optional almond extract. Serve with sliced oranges for a delightful sip.

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Orange and Parsley Salad

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Oranges two ways! Try them with parsley, green olives, feta, toasted almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette or pair the citrus with pineapple and papaya to make our super simple Orange and Tropical Fruit Salad.

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Jasmine Tea and Orange Juice

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This riff on an Arnold Palmer couldn't be easier to put together. Just mix OJ with freshly brewed jasmine tea and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Passover Chocolate-Walnut Cake with Orange

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This leavening-free cake relies on whipped egg whites for its light, tender crumb. Oranges pull double duty here: fresh juice and zest go into the batter and thinly-sliced rounds are used to decorate the cake.

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Brussels Sprouts with Oranges and Bacon

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Roast Brussels sprouts, oranges, and bacon on the same baking sheet with a little oil and salt for an effortless side dish. The sweet caramelized oranges cut the porky richness beautifully.

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Maple-Orange Granita

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Maple syrup and oranges make surprisingly delicious partners in this easy granita. Layer it with cardamom-spiced sour cream and orange segments for a healthy, lip-smacking dessert.

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Green Salad with Citrus Dressing

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A side salad becomes way more interesting with the addition of orange and grapefruit segments, thinly sliced red onion, and a creamy, citrusy yogurt dressing.

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Orange-and-Honey Glazed Pork Chops

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Both pork and chicken take kindly to an orange-glazed romp in the oven. The citrus wedges develop a sultry, complex flavor as they roast.

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Avocado, Beet, and Orange Salad

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Fresh greens can be sparse during citrus season, but salad is still an enticing option with this nutrient-dense plate.

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Salmon with Fennel, Bell Pepper, Olives, and Oranges

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This one-pan dinner, bright with Mediterranean flavor, cooks in just 10 minutes. You can eat the cooked oranges, peels and all, or squeeze the juice over the fish.

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Buckwheat Waffles with Fresh Ricotta and Citrus

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Sliced oranges make an eye-catching accent to this whole-grain breakfast. Reverse the construction (but keep the flavor) with Orange-Ricotta Pancakes, which feature grated zest in the batter.

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Sweet-and-Sour Orange Chicken Wings

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Seeking a lighter chicken wing to balance out your game-day menu? Look no further than these baked wings tossed with orange slices and a sherry-vinegar reduction.

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Champagne-and-Orange Granita co*cktail

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Think of this as a fancier mimosa! Fresh orange juice and sugar are transformed into a refreshing granita then topped off with Champagne and a touch of elderflower liqueur.

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Fresh Orange and Yogurt Tart

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This sunny tart, with its Greek-yogurt filling and almond crust, makes a crowd-pleasing brunch dish. Be sure to save the leftover rinds to make Candied Citrus Peel.

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Classic Seville Orange Marmalade

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Seville oranges, with their tangy, aromatic flavor, make a marmalade that begs to be spread on toast (or spooned straight from the jar).

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Shallots, Shrimp, and Oranges with Apricot Glaze

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Land and sea collide in these colorful kebabs, which can be cooked in a pan on the stove or on an outdoor grill. For another take on seafood-citrus skewers, try our Scallop, Orange, and Cucumber Kebabs.

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Orange Cream Pavlova

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Melt-in-your-mouth meringue is piled high with orange curd, whipped cream, and white chocolate shavings—we like to think of it as a grown-up take on the Creamsicle.

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Watermelon, Orange, and Feta Salad

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Sweet and salty, this salad delivers a serious punch of flavor.

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Orange Ice Cream

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Orange zest flavors this dreamy frozen treat. To max out on citrus flavor, use it in an Orange Creamsicle Float.

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25 Orange Recipes Sure to Brighten Any Meal (2024)

Orange-Vanilla Shake

Orange-Fennel-Olive Relish

Orange-Barley Pound Cake

Root-Vegetable Soup with Orange, Ginger, and Tarragon

Roasted Chicken with Dates, Citrus, and Olives

Olive-Topped Orange Slices

Orange Wheat Shandy

Orange and Parsley Salad

Jasmine Tea and Orange Juice

Passover Chocolate-Walnut Cake with Orange

Brussels Sprouts with Oranges and Bacon

Maple-Orange Granita

Green Salad with Citrus Dressing

Orange-and-Honey Glazed Pork Chops

Avocado, Beet, and Orange Salad

Salmon with Fennel, Bell Pepper, Olives, and Oranges

Buckwheat Waffles with Fresh Ricotta and Citrus

Sweet-and-Sour Orange Chicken Wings

Champagne-and-Orange Granita co*cktail

Fresh Orange and Yogurt Tart

Classic Seville Orange Marmalade

Shallots, Shrimp, and Oranges with Apricot Glaze

Orange Cream Pavlova

Watermelon, Orange, and Feta Salad

Orange Ice Cream

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