Lettuce & Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Bright, juicy, and refreshing, this fruit salad pairs sweet mandarin oranges and tart pink grapefruit over tender bibb lettuce. The real star, though, is the homemade poppy seed dressing.

Tarragon vinegar gives the dressing a subtle anise note that plays beautifully against the citrus. Dry mustard adds a gentle bite, and blending everything in a blender emulsifies the oil into a thick, creamy consistency you won’t get from whisking alone. Chill the dressing at least 30 minutes before serving so those flavors meld together.

Bibb lettuce is the right call here. Its soft, buttery leaves cradle the citrus segments without competing for attention. Romaine would be too crunchy, iceberg too watery.

Pro Tips

• Shake the dressing jar hard right before serving. The poppy seeds settle to the bottom and you want them distributed evenly.
• Section the grapefruit over a bowl to catch the juice, then squeeze the membranes for extra juice to add to the dressing.
• Drain the mandarin oranges well. Excess liquid will dilute the dressing and make the salad watery.

Variations

• Add sliced avocado and toasted almonds for a heartier salad.
• Swap grapefruit for blood oranges when they’re in season for a stunning color contrast.
• Toss in fresh strawberries or blueberries during summer months.