Save 40% On The Forks Meal Planner Annual Plan Get It Now

It’s Grapefruit Season! Here’s How to Pick ‘Em and Recipes to Try

Sunny yellow, pale pink, or ruby red, grapefruit offers a full spectrum of citrus flavor and is a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Read on for everything you need to know about the juicy winter gems, plus plant-based grapefruit recipes to try today.

When Is Grapefruit in Season?

Like most produce these days, grapefruit can be found nearly year-round, but its prime season is still in the winter months. You’ll find the most perfectly ripe fruits from January through early spring. 

Where Does It Get Its Name?

Grapefruit gets its name for the way it often grows on trees, in grapelike clusters.

Grapefruit Types

Grapefruits are categorized based on the color of the fleshy pulp found inside the fruit, not the skin on the outside. There are many varieties, but they fall into these categories. 

Pro tip: For premium flavor, specialty varieties, and organic fruit, order directly from citrus producers. Many citrus delivery services offer special deals around and after the holidays, so take advantage and stock up.

Deep Red

Orange on the outside and a brilliant ruby tone on the inside, deep red varieties are prized for their deep sweetness. They’re also high in vitamin A. For the sweetest fruits, choose red varieties grown in warm regions, such as Florida and Texas. 

Pink

Pink grapefruits have an approachable, balanced flavor, not quite as sweet as red grapefruits but not as sour or tart as white. 

White and Yellow

White and yellow varieties are sought out by aficionados for their slightly sour, complex flavor profiles. 

Selection and Storage

Choose uniformly colored, smooth, shiny grapefruits that look slightly flattened on the sides. These are all signs the fruit has ripened fully before it was harvested. Weigh each grapefruit in your hand; it should feel heavy for its size.

Grapefruits will keep up to two months in the fridge or a cool area of the house. The fruit tastes better at room temperature, though, so you may want to store one or two on the counter for immediate consumption.  

Quick Serving Ideas

Here are some of our favorite ways to use grapefruit. (More recipes below.)

Salads

We especially love grapefruit in savory salads, but its distinctive tang shines in all types of salads. Add segments to leafy green, hearty grain, and slippery noodle salads, and use the juice and zest in place of other citrus in sauces and dressings.

Roasting Grapefruit

Broiled grapefruit makes for a melt-in-your-mouth treat. Place grapefruit halves cut-side-up on a baking sheet, and loosen the sections with a knife. Broil 5 to 7 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and bubbly. Serve warm.

Grapefruit Sparklers

For a zesty, refreshing beverage, infuse grapefruit peels into sparkling water. First, remove three long strips of grapefruit peel with a vegetable peeler. Twist each strip to release the flavorful oils, then drop into a 12-oz. glass. Add ice and 8 oz. sparkling water.

Vegan Grapefruit Recipes to Try

These whole-food, plant-based recipes are bursting with citrusy flavor.

Related News

Save 40% This WeekOn Forks Meal Planner

Forks Meal Planner takes the hard work out of making nutritious meals the whole family will enjoy.

SIGN UP NOW AND SAVE

SAVE $200 ON OUR ULTIMATE COURSE

Join our best-selling course at a new lower price!

Save $200 Now

About the Author

Headshot of Mary Margaret Chappell

About the Author

Mary Margaret Chappell

When Mary Margaret Chappell first started out in the plant-based food world as a writer, editor, and recipe developer, she was a bacon-loving former pastry chef who didn’t think she could ever cook without butter. Fourteen years, four cookbooks, dozens of cooking classes, and hundreds of recipes later, her favorite thing in the world is sharing the tips, techniques, and recipes that show just how easy and delicious whole-food, plant-based cooking can be. The former food editor of Vegetarian Times magazine has done away with her dependency on butter and is honing her skills at baking with natural sweeteners. Chappell lives in France, where plant-based eating can often be a challenge, but the fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes available are simply amazing. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.
See More from this Author

Join our mailing list

Get free recipes and the latest info on living a happy, healthy plant-based lifestyle.

By providing your email address, you consent to receive newsletter emails from Forks Over Knives. We value your privacy and will keep your email address safe. You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time.