A splash of orange brightens simple meals. Try these 30 savory orange recipes for inspiration—from soups and salads to mains and seafood.
A squeeze of fresh orange juice or a strip of orange zest can transform familiar ingredients into vibrant, memorable dishes.
Savory orange recipes add bright, refreshing flavor and you can work with many types of citrus: navel oranges, mandarins, tangerines, blood oranges, Cara Cara, clementines—there are hundreds of varieties, each with its own character.
While home cooks won’t typically use every variety, there are countless ways to add orange to meals. Salads are an obvious place to start: orange juice makes a lively dressing, and orange segments lend color and sweetness—try them with beets or pomegranate arils for contrast.
Oranges also lift vegetable sides, pairing especially well with roasted root vegetables like carrots and squash.
Where citrus really shines is paired with proteins. Orange complements pork and poultry beautifully—think orange teriyaki pork medallions or a classic orange chicken that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
For seafood, consider swapping lemon for orange. Using orange instead of lemon changes the mood of salmon or shrimp dishes and adds a sweeter, more aromatic note.
And one of the most surprising places to use orange is in soup—my favorite is an orange carrot soup that’s cozy, bright, and perfect on a gray day.
If you ever find a surplus of citrus, this curated list of 30 savory orange recipes will give you plenty of ideas.
Orange Appetizer & Soup Recipes
1. Orange Carrot Soup
by Food Nouveau
This bright, vitamin-rich Orange Carrot Soup lifts dreary winter days. A crunchy topping of pistachios, sesame, and fresh herbs adds texture and color.
2. Blood Orange Crostini
by Luci’s Morsels
Winter citrus shines on these blood orange crostini. The sweet-tart fruit paired with cream cheese makes a simple, elegant appetizer or breakfast bite.
3. Orange Glazed BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
by Frugal Mom, Eh!
These drumsticks are marinated and grilled in a scotch bonnet-orange glaze for a sweet-and-spicy finish—an effortless summer favorite.
4. Orange-and-Fresh-Herb Marinated Feta
by Food Nouveau
Marinated feta with orange and fresh herbs makes a flavorful, easy appetizer—perfect for picnics or to boost sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
Orange Salad Recipes
5. Avocado Orange Salad
by Joyous Apron
A celebration of citrus: avocados, oranges, blood oranges, and shaved Parmesan over arugula, finished with a zesty lemon dressing. Fresh and vibrant.
6. Spinach Mandarin Orange Salad
by Champagne Tastes
This vegan spinach and mandarin salad is topped with slivered almonds and a quick Dijon vinaigrette—an easy spring side or light lunch.
7. Red Cabbage Orange Salad
by Occasionally Eggs
A crunchy, vegan red cabbage salad that uses orange and pomegranate for brightness. It’s a great make-ahead side to keep in the fridge.
8. Orange Beet Salad
by BellyFull
This simple orange and beet salad is colorful and delicious—ideal as a side or light lunch any time of year.
9. Winter Freekeh Salad with Orange
by Occasionally Eggs
A hearty vegan freekeh salad tossed with blood oranges, arugula, chickpeas, and a bright orange-olive oil dressing—substantial enough for a main course.
10. Marmalade Shrimp and Bacon Salad
by Food Nouveau
Juicy shrimp, salty bacon, crunchy vegetables, and sweet clementines come together with a marmalade dressing for a bold, colorful salad.
11. Cantonese Roast Duck Salad with Radicchio
by The Devil Wears Salad
A no-cook warm duck salad balancing bitter and sweet flavors with savory Cantonese roast duck—elegant and easy for entertaining or a cozy dinner.
12. Blood Orange Salad Dressing
by The Devil Wears Salad
This simple dressing showcases the vivid color and flavor of blood oranges—bright, slightly floral, and visually striking.
Orange Side Dish Recipes
13. Orange Maple Glazed Carrots
by Three Olives Branch
A simple, versatile side—carrots glazed with orange and maple syrup make an easy accompaniment for many meals.
14. Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sweet Chili Orange Glaze
by From a Chef’s Kitchen
Pan-roasted Brussels sprouts finished with a Thai sweet chili-orange glaze—crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy.
15. Orange Glazed Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Pecans
by Heartbeet Kitchen
Roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts tossed in an orange butter sauce and finished with toasted pecans—rich, comforting, and full of texture.
Orange Meat Recipes
16. Orange Chicken
by Organically Addison
Homemade orange chicken that outshines takeout—fresh, bright, and perfect with broccoli or cauliflower rice for a family-friendly meal.
17. Slow Cooker Healthy Orange Chicken
by Killing Thyme
A guilt-free slow cooker version of orange chicken—saucy, flavorful, and ideal for meal prep.
18. Easy Orange Chicken Meatballs
by Cook at Home Mom
These Asian-inspired orange chicken meatballs are packed with flavor and make a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner.
19. Ground Orange Chicken
by The Travel Palate
A simple, flavorful ground orange chicken that delivers takeout-inspired taste at home without the fuss.
20. Grilled Chipotle Orange Turkey Kebabs
by A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Chipotle and orange create a bold, smoky-sweet flavor on these grilled turkey kebabs—great for warm-weather cookouts.
21. Asian Orange Turkey Lettuce Wraps
by Running to the Kitchen
Sticky, sweet, savory, and slightly spicy—the orange sauce makes these turkey lettuce wraps irresistible and easy to assemble.
22. Orange-Honey Glazed Turkey Breast
by Cooking for My Soul
Brined and roasted turkey breast brushed with an orange-honey glaze for juicy, flavorful results—perfect for holidays or weeknight roasting.
23. Orange Teriyaki Pork Medallions
by Thrifty Jinxy
Ready in about 15 minutes, these orange teriyaki pork medallions are a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner.
24. Orange-Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Root Vegetables
by Our Wabi Sabi Life
A baked pork loin brushed with a homemade orange glaze and served with roasted root vegetables—simple, tender, and full of flavor.
25. Orange Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich
by Family Spice
This pulled pork uses both orange juice and zest for bright barbecue flavor and is easy to finish in a slow cooker.
26. Superfast Sesame Orange Beef Stir-Fry
by Food Nouveau
A speedy sesame-orange beef stir-fry that’s packed with flavor—ideal for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Orange Fish & Seafood Recipes
27. Slow-Roasted Blood Orange Salmon
by Burrata and Bubbles
Elegant and simple, this slow-roasted salmon pairs beautifully with winter blood oranges for an impressive dinner that’s easy to prepare.
28. Grilled Chipotle-Orange Salmon
by A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Sweet, smoky, and nicely spiced—this grilled chipotle-orange salmon is an addictive choice for grilling season.
29. Mandarin Orange Glazed Salmon
by Bowl of Delicious
Broiled mandarin-glazed salmon that finishes with a sticky, glossy topping while keeping the fish moist and flaky—ready in about 20 minutes.
30. Orange-Balsamic Shrimp Pasta
by BellyFull
Sautéed shrimp tossed in a tangy, slightly spicy orange-balsamic sauce served with pasta—quick, bold, and family-friendly in about 25 minutes.
More savory citrus recipes are available in the eBook below.
Citrus Savory Delights: Easy Bites, Salads, and Meals for Citrus Lovers
Citrus is often thought of for desserts, but it also elevates savory dishes with bright acidity and aromatic depth.
In this collection of 16 tested recipes, discover zesty takes on classics, colorful lunches, and new weeknight meals that showcase citrus in simple, healthful ways.
Created by citrus-focused recipe developer Marie Asselin, Citrus Savory Delights features approachable, flavorful savory recipes built around citrus.