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A fresh Mexican Jicama and Citrus Salad served in a white bowl, featuring orange slices, jicama chunks, and herbs.
Layla

Mexican Jicama and Citrus Salad

Crisp jicama meets bright citrus and a kick of chile in this refreshing salad that's as stunning on the plate as it is addictive on the fork.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 142

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1.5 lb jicama peeled, cut into matchsticks about 3 inches long
  • 2 large navel oranges peeled and cut into segments, juice reserved
  • 1 large ruby grapefruit peeled and cut into segments, juice reserved
  • 1 cucumber seeded, cut into half-moons
  • 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
For the Dressing
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime juice from about 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp reserved citrus juice from segmented oranges and grapefruit
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tsp tajin seasoning plus more for serving
  • 1 tsp honey or agave for vegan
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
For Garnish
  • 0.25 cup toasted pepitas
  • 2 oz cotija cheese crumbled, optional
  • 1 avocado sliced, optional

Equipment

  • Sharp Chef's Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Microplane or small grater
  • Citrus Juicer

Method
 

Prep the Vegetables and Fruit
  1. Peel the jicama with a sharp knife, removing all the fibrous brown skin and the thin layer beneath. Cut into planks, then stack and slice into matchsticks about 3 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Place in a large bowl of ice water while you prep everything else - this keeps it crisp and prevents browning.
  2. Cut the top and bottom off each orange and grapefruit to create flat surfaces. Stand the fruit upright and slice away the peel and white pith in strips, following the curve of the fruit. Hold over a bowl to catch juice, cut between the membranes to release segments, and set segments aside. Squeeze the remaining membranes to extract any juice - you need about 2 tablespoons total reserved juice for the dressing.
  3. Halve the cucumber lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Cut into thin half-moons. Thinly slice the red onion and soak in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain well.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, reserved citrus juice, olive oil, tajin, honey, and sea salt until emulsified. Taste and adjust - it should be bright, slightly spicy, and just sweet enough to balance the tart citrus.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Drain the jicama well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. In a large serving bowl, combine jicama, citrus segments, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently with your hands or two large spoons - the citrus segments are delicate and will break if over-mixed.
  2. Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Top with toasted pepitas, crumbled cotija if using, and avocado slices. Finish with a generous sprinkle of tajin over the top. Serve immediately while the jicama is still crisp and cold.

Notes

Choose a heavy, firm jicama with unblemished skin - it should sound hollow when tapped. Smaller jicama (under 2 pounds) tend to be sweeter and less fibrous than larger ones. The salad can be prepped up to 4 hours ahead: keep jicama in ice water, citrus segments covered, and dressing separate, then assemble just before serving. For a heartier version, add grilled shrimp or thinly sliced grilled steak on top.