Jicama Orange Salad with Citrus Lime Dressing

This colorful Jicama Orange Salad is crisp, juicy, sweet, lightly spicy, and full of fresh seasonal flavor. It is the kind of salad that looks beautiful on the table and tastes just as bright as it appears. With crunchy jicama, ripe oranges, pomegranate arils, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and orange honey dressing, every bite has a refreshing balance of texture and flavor. Serve it for brunch, lunch, a holiday meal, or as a light snack when you want something nourishing and vibrant.

jicama orange salad with pomegranate, jalapeños in orange honey dressing
Jicama Orange Salad – Perfect Winter Salad

Table of contents

  • Why you will love this Jicama Orange Salad
  • What is Jicama?
    • What does Jicama taste like?
  • How to prepare Jicama
  • Ingredients for this Jicama Orange Salad
  • How to make Jicama Orange Salad
  • What to serve with Jicama Orange Salad
  • How to store leftover salad
  • Latest posts

Why you will love this Jicama Orange Salad

This Jicama Orange Salad is a wonderful winter salad because it brings together ingredients that are fresh, seasonal, and naturally eye-catching. Pomegranate arils add jewel-like color along with a sweet-tart burst of flavor. Navel oranges bring juicy citrus sweetness, while jicama gives the salad its signature crunch. A few slices of jalapeño add gentle heat, and fresh cilantro gives the salad a clean, bright finish.

The combination is festive without being heavy, making it a great choice for holiday meals, brunch gatherings, or casual entertaining. It is also a refreshing option when you want a healthy salad that does not feel plain or predictable. The orange honey dressing ties everything together with a lightly sweet citrus flavor that complements both the fruit and vegetables.

This salad also works well because it is versatile. It can be served on its own as a light lunch or snack, paired with grilled or roasted proteins, or spooned over tender salad greens for a fuller dish. The colors are stunning, the texture is crisp, and the flavor is lively enough to brighten almost any meal.

close up of jicama orange salad
Jicama, orange, red onion, cilantro, and pomegranate in an Orange Honey Dressing

What is Jicama?

Jicama, pronounced hee-kuh-muh, is a crisp root vegetable with a mild flavor and refreshing crunch. It is commonly used in Mexican and Southwestern cooking and is especially popular in fresh fruit cups, salads, and slaws. In California, jicama season begins in November and continues into early spring, though it is often available in grocery stores throughout the year.

Jicama is naturally low in calories and has a pleasant texture that makes it ideal for raw dishes. One cup of jicama contains about 50 calories, 6 grams of fiber, 195 grams of potassium, and 43% of the daily value for vitamin C. Because the flavor is mild, it pairs beautifully with citrus, chile, lime, herbs, and other fresh ingredients.

What does Jicama taste like?

Jicama has a texture similar to a water chestnut: crisp, juicy, and slightly starchy. The flavor is mild and lightly sweet, which makes it easy to combine with both fruit and vegetables. In Mexico and throughout the Southwest, jicama is often served with chile, lime, and sometimes chamoy, a sweet and spicy condiment commonly enjoyed with fruit and drinks.

In salads, jicama adds refreshing crunch without overpowering the other ingredients. It works especially well with oranges, apples, berries, cabbage, cucumbers, shrimp, avocado, and citrus-based dressings. If you enjoy salads with a mix of sweet, tangy, spicy, and crunchy elements, jicama is an excellent ingredient to keep on hand.

How to prepare Jicama

Jicama is usually sold whole with its brown, papery skin still attached. Before cutting it, wash the outside well and dry it thoroughly. Since jicama can be large, you may only need a portion for this salad. Cut off the amount you plan to use, then peel away the skin with a knife or sturdy vegetable peeler.

Once peeled, cut the jicama into matchsticks or small cubes. Matchsticks give the salad a slaw-like texture, while cubes create a chunkier bite. Either shape works well, so choose the style you prefer. If you have extra jicama left over, use it in another salad, add it to fruit salad, or enjoy it simply with oranges, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Ingredients for this Jicama Orange Salad

  • 1/2 jicama, peeled and cut into matchsticks or cubes
  • 2 fresh oranges, peeled and cubed
  • 1 small fresh jalapeño pepper, sliced
  • Pomegranate arils from about 1/2 a fresh pomegranate
  • 1/3 cup red onion slices
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Orange Honey Dressing, to taste
  • Pinch of kosher salt

How to make Jicama Orange Salad

Start by preparing the jicama. Peel it, then cut it into matchsticks or cubes and place it in a medium bowl. Add the cubed oranges, sliced jalapeño, pomegranate arils, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle in a small pinch of kosher salt to help bring out the natural flavors.

Pour in the Orange Honey Dressing a little at a time, using 1/4 cup to start and adding more if desired. Toss gently so the fruit and vegetables stay intact. Once everything is evenly coated, cover the salad and chill it for about 30 minutes. This short resting time allows the flavors to blend while keeping the salad crisp and fresh.

Serve the salad cold as a side dish, starter, light lunch, or snack. It is especially good when you want a refreshing citrus salad with plenty of crunch and color.

What to serve with Jicama Orange Salad

Jicama Orange Salad pairs beautifully with lighter proteins such as grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, or simple roasted meats. The crisp texture and citrus dressing make it a refreshing contrast to savory main dishes. It is also satisfying enough to enjoy by itself when you want a nutrient-dense lunch or afternoon snack.

For a larger salad, serve it over a bed of baby greens and add a little extra dressing. The greens make it more filling while still keeping the dish bright and fresh. This is also a lovely option for brunch or a holiday table when you want something colorful, healthy, and a little unexpected.

close up of jicama orange salad in green bowl
Jicama Orange Salad with Orange Honey Dressing

How to store leftover salad

Store leftover Jicama Orange Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for 2 to 4 days, although the texture is best during the first couple of days. Toss gently before serving again, and add a small splash of extra dressing if needed.

Enjoy this crisp, colorful salad whenever you need a fresh dish that is simple, seasonal, and full of flavor.

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

close up image of jicama orange salad in green bowl with serving utensils

Jicama Orange Salad

Ana Coronado

November 29, 2023

A crunchy, sweet, spicy, and refreshing jicama orange salad with pomegranate, jalapeño, cilantro, red onion, and Orange Honey Dressing. Perfect for brunch, entertaining, lunch, or a colorful winter side dish.
Prep Time 15
Chilling 30
Total Time 45
Course Lunch, Salad, Snack
Cuisine American, Healthy, Mexican, Mexican fusion
Servings 8
Calories 89 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 jicama peeled and cut into matchsticks or cubes
  • 2 fresh oranges peeled and cubed
  • 1 small fresh jalapeño pepper sliced
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate arils from about 1/2 a fresh pomegranate
  • 1/3 cup red onion slices
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Orange Honey Dressing to taste
  • Kosher salt a pinch

Instructions

How to make Jicama Orange Salad

  • Place the prepared jicama in a medium bowl.
  • Add the cubed oranges, sliced jalapeño, pomegranate arils, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
  • Add Orange Honey Dressing to taste and toss gently until evenly coated.
  • Chill for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

This salad is best served cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup Calories: 89 kcal

Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.

Keyword christmas salad, healthy, jicama, jicama orange salad, jicama recipe, winter salad

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

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