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The Best Recipes to Celebrate California Citrus Season
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California may be best known for its beautiful beaches and Hollywood icons, but we are also known for our incredible citrus! If you are a sucker for that sweet-tart mix of sugar and acidity that only fresh California citrus provides get ready because this round-up features some of the best citrus recipes that our California Grown Creators have to offer!
Why does citrus grow so well in California?
For thousands of years, citrus fruits have been cultivated in the Mediterranean region. For instance, citrus plants thrived in that climate which had temperature ranges of 60 to 90°F with plenty of rain and a lengthy period of heat throughout the summer. So, it’s no surprise that these fruits flourish so well in California too.
Drink recipes with California citrus.
Orange Julius
Our Orange Julius calls for a mix of fresh California-grown Cara Cara and Navel oranges that have been peeled and partially frozen before being blended with a few other ingredients to create a slightly frothy, ultra-creamy treat that you are going to love!
Click here for this California orange-inspired recipe!
A Simple Recipe For Lemonade With California Lemons And What To Make With It.
Are you in search of the perfect recipe for lemonade? Look no further! We’ve got you covered with a recipe that’s easy to make and uses the freshest California lemons available. Plus, we’ll show you how to make an iconic California beverage inspired by lemonade, the Arnold Palmer.
Click here for this California lemonade recipe!
Carrot with Orange Immune Boost Juice
Every sip of this immune-boosting juice from This Mess is Ours is packed with California Grown produce like Cara Cara oranges, carrots, apples, ginger, and lime to help nourish your bodies and give your immune system a BOOST during cold and flu season!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Easy Strawberry Agua Fresca
This easy sipper from Salt & Wind is made with California strawberries at peak ripeness, fresh lime juice, and a touch of California honey, this agua fresca has just the right amount of sweetness.
We think you’ll love this bright and delicious drink!
Click here for this California lime-inspired recipe!
Strawberry Lemon Smash Cocktail
This summer sipper from This Mess is Ours is the perfect ratio of tart and sweet with freshly squeezed lemon juice and luscious berries all topped off with California sparkling wine to give it that irresistible fizz factor!
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
SoCal Citrus Sangria
This delicious Sangria starts with fan-favorite California Zinfandel. The boldness of the Zinfandel wine can stand up to the bright, zesty citrus flavors. We add a splash of honey for just enough sweetness and balance.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Pumpkin Spice Mulled Wine
This easy-to-make recipe from This Mess is Ours was created with Chardonnay from the Paso Robles region. It is the type of simple sippin’ that warms you from the inside out even on a crisp fall day.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Savory recipes with California citrus
Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta with Olives
You’ll love the bright, zesty lemon paired with briny olives and a crunchy panko topping! This delicious recipe by Jerry James Stone is both light and rich and is perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. Don’t forget to serve it with a glass of California Chardonnay!
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
Simple Citrus Salads to Make for Dinner
When it comes to meal planning, salads can often be overlooked as a simple, yet delicious dinner option. However, a well-crafted salad can be not only nutritious, but also filling and satisfying. This is especially true when it comes to citrus salads. The juicy, sweet, and tangy flavors of citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are the perfect way to add some brightness and zing to your dinner plate.
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
Lemony White Bean & Collard Soup with Ground Turkey
This soup from This Mess is Ours is a guaranteed way to bring the cozy vibes to your kitchen table any night of the year! It is protein-packed and has a stick to your bones quality without feeling too heavy thanks to its lemony broth and bright herbs.
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
Roasted Shrimp with Lemon & Garlic
These easy Oven Roasted Shrimp with Lemon & Garlic from the G Free Foodie are gluten-free, Paleo-friendly & totally delish. Use them for an appetizer, or top pasta, salads, or rice for a quick and tasty meal. Dinner is ready in 20 minutes, so you have way more time to do what you love!
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
Kale, Tangerine, and Pistachio Salad
This salad is loaded with hearty winter greens, bright California citrus, and perfectly toasted pistachios. It is the perfect, healthy pick me up for even the most frigid of winter days.
Click here for this California tangerine-inspired recipe!
Vegan Ceviche with Avocado and Lime
This ceviche recipe from Hola Jalapeno is filled with creamy avocado, small bites of cauliflower, chile, tomato, and cucumber soaked in loads of lime and toasted cumin seeds.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
An Easy And Delicious Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
Are you looking for a simple and delicious dressing to add to your salads? Look no further than our sensational lemon salad dressing recipe! Not only is this salad dressing easy to make at home, but it’s also packed with vitamin C and potent antioxidant benefits.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Watermelon Radish Salad
Our spicy, sweet + tangy Watermelon Radish Salad is truly beautiful and equally delicious. Fabulous all on its own, or with grilled chicken or salmon. Once you make a salad with watermelon radish, you’ll be hooked
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Preserved Lemon Hummus
When life gives you lemons make our preserved lemon hummus! It’s tart, tangy, and loaded with roasted garlic flavor.
Click here for this California lemon-inspired recipe!
Winter Citrus & Ricotta Toasts
These crispy, toasty multigrain bread slices from Yes to Yolks are slathered in the creamiest whipped ricotta and then topped with slices of super juicy, absolutely gorgeous fresh citrus and drizzled with thyme-infused HONEY.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Citrus & Herb Baked Salmon
This colorfully decorative, slow-and-low roasted salmon dish from Waves in the Kitchen is perfectly moist and celebrates easy cooking and food as art.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Cinnamon Cayenne Citrus Salad
Bright, warm, tangy, and sweet, this citrus salad from Salt & Wind is for those who sought out Warhead candies as children. It’s an elegant play between tartness and sweetness. It can be made with any combination of citrus fruits (although you’d be wise to avoid lemon/lime).
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Sweet recipes with California Citrus.
Kiwi Bread with Lime Glaze + Almonds
This indulgently moist Kiwi Bread from our friend Kate Ramos at ¡Hola! Jalapeño! gets its ultra-soft crumb from avocado and kiwifruit puree. Loaded with healthy fats and a boost of superfood vitamins. Using avocado in place of some of the fat makes this bread healthier but also more delicate.
Click here for this California lime-inspired recipe!
Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
This cake from Bakes by Brown Sugar is a wonderful combination of lemons, brown sugar, and spiced cake.
You know you’ve done this cake right when the lemons glisten like jewels when it comes out of the pan.
Click here for this California Meyer lemon-inspired recipe!
Lime Sorbet
This super tangy and refreshing lime sorbet recipe from Ice Cream from Scratch is simple to make and only uses a few fresh ingredients. For instance, lime is as simple as it gets and packs a huge flavor punch.
Click here for this recipe with limes from California!
Foolproof Vanilla Orange Madeleines
These light, cake-like cookies from Displaced Housewife are laced with vanilla and orange flavors and a cranberry glaze.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Blood Orange Mascarpone Tart
This gorgeous blood orange tart from Hola Jalapeno has a rich pie crust with fresh slices of blood orange and a creamy mascarpone and vanilla cream filling. That is to say, this is one incredibly delicious dessert!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Sweet Baked Ricotta with Orange Zest
This baked ricotta is creamy but not too sweet, and the perfect addition to a cheese course or dessert board. Hint – it’s particularly delicious paired with our friend Meg’s Olive Oil Cake with Polenta and Roasted Red Grapes.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Lemon Crepes
Our crepes are loaded with fresh lemon crème and juicy strawberries then dusted with finely crushed pistachios and a bit of powdered sugar. That is to say, they are a total breakfast win!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Blood Orange Olive Oil Polenta Cake
This cake from Salt & Wind is not too sweet with a texture, kind of like cornbread meets pound cake. We consider it a “snack cake” in the same way as coffee cake. In short, you could have it with coffee for breakfast, as a snack, or as dessert.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Grapefruit Pistachio Tarts
This sweet and tangy tart recipe has a crunchy pistachio crust and is sure to please everyone. Therefore it is a perfect winter dessert.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Kumquat Rosemary Tart
This tart from Bakes by Brown Sugar is full of amazing flavor! The citrus taste of the kumquats combined with the floral of the rosemary hits all the right notes. That is to say, this tart will rock your world.
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Overnight Lemon Glazed French Toast Bake
The G Free Foodie’s Overnight French Toast Bake is lemon forward and uses all the parts of a lemon (zest & juice). As a result, you get all the benefits of working smarter – not harder because the lemon does all the work!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Paleo Coconut and Orange Creamsicle Tart
This citrus-forward tart from This Mess is Ours works its magic in your freezer and requires almost zero effort from you to make. That is to say, this simple-to-make dessert is as easy as it gets!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Kumquat Pistachio Brown Butter Tea Cakes
This simple-to-make dessert recipe from Salt & Wind is perfect for tea time–but with a California twist! Brown butter and almond flour cakelets get mixed with roasted pistachios and candied kumquats for a savory note amid the sweet.
As a result, this not-too-sweet and healthy-ish treat is a real winner!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Blood Orange Almond Cake
This blood orange cake has just a hint of citrus in the batter with a sprinkling of almond streusel layered in. It is the perfect cake for a weeknight dessert or a weekend brunch!
Click here for this California citrus-inspired recipe!
Frequently asked questions about California.
California grows just over 50% of the nation’s produce and leads the nation in the production of:
artichokes, almonds, apricots, asparagus, avocados, dry lima beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, fresh market cabbage, fresh market carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, American pima cotton, daikon, dates, eggplant, escarole/endive, figs, flower bulbs, cut flowers, potted flowers and potted plants, garlic, table grapes, wine grapes, raisin grapes, alfalfa hay, herbs, jojoba, kale, kiwifruit, kumquats, lemons, head lettuce, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, limes, mandarins and mandarin hybrids, cantaloupe melons, honeydew melons, milk and cream, nectarines, nursery bedding plants, nursery crops, olives, dry onions, green onions, parsley, clingstone peaches, freestone peaches, chili peppers, bell peppers, persimmons, pigeons and squabs, pistachios, plums and prunes (dried plums), pluots, pomegranates, raspberries, safflower, alfalfa seed, Bermuda grass seed, clover seed, vegetable and flower seed, fresh market spinach, strawberries, sweet rice, processing tomatoes, triticale, greenhouse vegetables, Oriental vegetables, watercress and walnuts.
California is the leading agricultural state in the nation.