In my family, it just isn’t Christmas morning without grapefruit. I’m not sure where this tradition started, but it’s been going on for years. After the stockings have been opened, we all look forward to a special Christmas bread (it’s tricky to make, but delicious), served with halved grapefruit with a sprinkle of sugar on top.
This might be the way you grew up eating grapefruit—as a breakfast fruit that required a little bit of work for each bite. But there are lots of ways to enjoy these big, juicy, beautiful fruits. Let’s rank the top 10.
10. Grilled
This is quite easy, and a little bit exciting. Just halve the fruit, slice the bottoms off (to make them more stable), top with raw or brown sugar, and run under the broiler or flame with a crème brulee torch. Some people like to add other toppings, like a bit of salt, red pepper flakes, or herbs.
4. Peeled, pithed and eaten out of hand
This preparation is similar to broiling, but you have to admit that it seems more fun. You simply slice the fruit, top with a sugar mixture, and throw it on the grill. Serve with fish or chicken or on ice cream.
9. In salsa
What, grapefruit salsa? Heck, yes. If you’ve never had a fruit salsa, you don’t know what you’re missing. Try this one, which includes grapefruit, avocadoes, cucumbers, cilantro and lime. You can eat this with fish or corn chips.
8. In a savory salad
What, grapefruit salsa? Heck, yes. If you’ve never had a fruit salsa, you don’t know what you’re missing. Try this one, which includes grapefruit, avocadoes, cucumbers, cilantro and lime. You can eat this with fish or corn chips.
8. In a savory salad
Like other citrus, grapefruit also can be used to great effect in savory salads. One classic you may not know if you’re not from a warmer climate is the delectable combo of grapefruit and avocado, which just works. It’s also delicious on dark green salads with nuts and cheeses.
7. With seafood
7. With seafood
Grapefruit also harmonizes beautifully with seafood, such as shrimp, crab, salmon and other fish. Try these shrimp with grapefruit glaze today and live a little bit of the Florida lifestyle.
6. In a cake
There are lots of desserts out there that feature grapefruit, but grapefruit cake comes up over and over again, and for good reason. The most common versions I see are a glazed poundcake (sometimes also made with yogurt) or a fancy frosted layer cake—there is a famous one called the Brown Derby grapefruit cake that looks delectable.
5. Halved, topped with sugar, and put under the broiler
6. In a cake
There are lots of desserts out there that feature grapefruit, but grapefruit cake comes up over and over again, and for good reason. The most common versions I see are a glazed poundcake (sometimes also made with yogurt) or a fancy frosted layer cake—there is a famous one called the Brown Derby grapefruit cake that looks delectable.
5. Halved, topped with sugar, and put under the broiler
This is quite easy, and a little bit exciting. Just halve the fruit, slice the bottoms off (to make them more stable), top with raw or brown sugar, and run under the broiler or flame with a crème brulee torch. Some people like to add other toppings, like a bit of salt, red pepper flakes, or herbs.
4. Peeled, pithed and eaten out of hand
How do you easily peel and eat the sweet, juicy sections of a grapefruit without the white pith and membrane? There are actually several ways. The basic idea is to remove the outside peel, take off as much pith as possible, then use a knife to help you pop out the segments and leave the membrane behind. Here’s one tutorial.
3. Halved and in a bowl
3. Halved and in a bowl
The classic. Just cut your grapefruit down the middle and scoop out the halved segments. I’ve always just used a little knife to make the segments easier to get out, but there are some fun tools out there if that is up your alley. Have you ever tried a grapefruit spoon? What about a grapefruit knife? If you love to eat grapefruit this way, check out these reviews of the best options for these tools!
2. Juiced
We can’t forget one of the most obvious uses for this big, juicy fruit. There is something so refreshing about grapefruit juice, and it also tastes amazing when mixed with other juices or sparkling water. Ruby red grapefruit juice is my favorite, but some prefer white grapefruit juice, including tiki drink lovers. There are many wonderful grapefruit juice cocktails.
1. In a fruit salad
2. Juiced
We can’t forget one of the most obvious uses for this big, juicy fruit. There is something so refreshing about grapefruit juice, and it also tastes amazing when mixed with other juices or sparkling water. Ruby red grapefruit juice is my favorite, but some prefer white grapefruit juice, including tiki drink lovers. There are many wonderful grapefruit juice cocktails.
1. In a fruit salad
Grapefruit mixes so well with other citrus or other winter fruit to make a gorgeous and stunning fruit salad. We think it goes especially well with kiwi, pomegranate seeds, blackberries, and pineapple. It also harmonizes well with some fun flavors like mint and ginger. To prepare grapefruit for a fruit salad, try supreming it.
Looking for a source for quality grapefruit? Florida Fruit Shippers sells some of the most delicious, juicy, sweet grapefruit around. You won't be disappointed.
Looking for a source for quality grapefruit? Florida Fruit Shippers sells some of the most delicious, juicy, sweet grapefruit around. You won't be disappointed.
