The Best Citrus Recipes to Brighten Your Day | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

If you didn’t know by now YES I’m in love with all things citrus. A little zest + fresh orange or lemon juice in baked goods is the perfect way to add a springy twist, and a squeeze of lime juice on literally everything is the perfect pop of flavor and freshness.

My favorite part about cooking with citrus is that it’s delicious in both sweet and savory recipes. In this big list of the best citrus recipes, you’ll find everything from fresh salads, sauces, and dressings to incredible main meals and baked goods.

Winter is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite citrus fruits, and with spring *hopefully* around the corner it’s time to get these bright, flavorful recipes on your menu.

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Our fav citrus hack

One of our fav ways to use fresh citrus this time of year (especially if you have a TON)? Making dried citrus round! They’re so beautiful on desserts, in co*cktails, and even as decorations. Learn how to make dried citrus here and let us know how you use it!

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I broke these recipes down into oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit (yes, there’s only one grapefruit recipe). I then broke each fruit category down even further into a variety of recipe types, such as breakfasts, appetizers, main meals, etc. so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Let’s get to it!

Orange Recipes

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Breakfasts

Orange Creamsicle Baked Oatmeal

Pistachio Poppyseed Orange Yogurt Bread

Upside-Down Orange Caramel Pecan French Toast Bake

Brown Butter Orange Pumpkin Muffins with Orange Glaze

Paleo Cranberry Orange Bread

Vitamin C Packed Strawberry Orange Banana Smoothie

Dreamy Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Paleo Orange-Kissed Loaf with Dark Chocolate Glaze

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

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Lunches & Dinners

Healthy Sesame-Orange Ginger Chickpea Stir-Fry

Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Orange Strawberry Avocado Salad with Citrus Poppyseed Dressing

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Appetizers, Sides & Drinks

Spicy Blood Orange Margarita

Rebecca’s Mulled Wine

15-Minute Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce (naturally sweetened!)

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Desserts

Orange Zucchini Cake with Orange Frosting

Rainbow Fruit Skewers

Grain Free Chocolate Orange Pinwheels

Melt In Your Mouth Italian Iced Orange Cookies

Italian Chocolate Orange Cookies with Orange Icing

Spiced Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Grain Free Snowball Cookies

Orange Carrot Zucchini Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Lemon recipes

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Breakfasts

The Fluffiest Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Pancakes (high in protein, gluten free!)

Lemon Blueberry Smoothie

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake Bread with Strawberry Glaze

Lemon Poppy Seed Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Healthy Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Sunshine Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

Healthy Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Lemon Blueberry Glaze

Paleo Lemon Blueberry Bread

Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes

Honey-Lemon Ricotta Breakfast Toast with Figs + Pistachios

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Lunches

Roasted Carrot Cauliflower Quinoa Salad with Sunshine Dressing

California Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad

The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad

Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad

Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing

Vegan Curry Chickpea Salad Collard Wraps

Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing

Vegan Caesar Salad

Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad

Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad

Avocado Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Everything Spring Green Salad with Basil Lemon Vinaigrette

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Dinners

Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon

The Best Dal Ever

Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers

One Pan Tandoori Chicken with Spiced Coconut Rice

Brown Butter Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Chickpeas

Spatchco*ck Chicken

Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

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Dressings & Sauces

Vegan Caesar Dressing

Bleu Cheese Yogurt Dip (or dressing!)

Sunshine Dressing

Creamy Feta Yogurt Dressing (or dip!)

The Best Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe

Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing

Healthy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

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Appetizers, Drinks & Sides

Roasted Garlic Tahini Carrot Dip

Apple Cider Hot Toddy

Sweet and Spicy Curry Hummus

Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Hummus

Roasted Beet Hummus

Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Salty Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Bleu Cheese Yogurt Dip

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Desserts

Paleo Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

Lemon Cookies with Lovely Lemon Glaze

Almond Lemon Raspberry Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Frosting

Soft Brown Butter Ginger Cookies with Lovely Lemon Icing

Lime Recipes

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Breakfasts

Coconut Key Lime Pie Smoothie

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Lunches

Courtney’s Curry Chicken Noodle Soup

Healing Ginger Coconut Chicken Brown Rice Soup

Butternut Squash Green Chile Chicken Soup

Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad

Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing

Creamy White Bean Chicken Enchilada Soup

Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese

Summer Glow Strawberry Kale Salad

Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad

Southwest Chicken Corn Chowder

Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad

Nourishing Asian Chicken Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad

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Dinners

Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema

30 Minute Chili Lime Salmon Bowls with Forbidden Rice

Green Chile Chicken Pozole

Damn Good Salmon Taco Bowls For Two

Vegan Mango Black Bean Green Rice Burrito Bowls

Healthy White Chicken Chili

Shrimp Brochette Skillet with Poblano Rice

Kickin’ Vegan Taco Pasta with Sweet Corn

Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce options!)

Date Night In Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Healing Lemongrass Chickpea Thai Green Curry with Toasted Coconut Brown Rice

Pesto Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken

Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Tacos

Jalapeño Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Lime Crema

Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa

Gaby’s Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple-Mango Salsa

Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa

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Dressings & Sauces

Cilantro Lime Dressing

Avocado Lime Sauce

Jalapeño Cashew Cream Sauce

Jalapeño Green Tahini Sauce

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Appetizers & Sides

Spicy Green Cashew Dip

Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Green Rice Recipe

Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe

Avocado Peach Salsa

Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Tony’s Ridiculously Easy Homemade Salsa

Cilantro Pistachio Pesto (my favorite pesto ever!)

Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa

The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat

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Drinks

Rebecca’s Pomegranate Margarita

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad

Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas

Palm Springs co*cktail

Grapefruit Recipe

Yes, I only have one so far!

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Grapefruit Margarita

Our favorite citrus tools

Get all of my favorite kitchen essentials here!

If you make any of these citrus recipes be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it!

The Best Citrus Recipes to Brighten Your Day | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

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