With their bold color, juicy flesh, and tangy zest, oranges add bright flavor to sweet and savory dishes, transforming them into something special. This spirited fruit has much to offer the whole-food, plant-based cook who wants flavor without oil or processed ingredients. In this collection, you'll find everything from baked goods to salads, dressings, flatbread, ice pops, casseroles, grain bowls, and lots more. Dive into one today!
For more fruit-full recipes, check out this collection of Winter Baking with In-Season Fruit.
Black Rice, Roasted Beet, and Orange Salad
In this gorgeous grain-rich salad, a sultry mix of black rice and tri-color quinoa is the perfect setting for brightly colored orange segments and sweet roasted beets. Earthy walnut pieces add nutty flavor, while tart apple lends a juicy crunch. Whip up a quick orange-infused garlic-mustard dressing, and you're ready to dig in! This nutritious salad is excellent for lunch or as a side.
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Orange Black Bean Taquitos
These black bean taquitos come together quickly and make you feel like you're at the trendiest vegan cafe in town. Toasted ground cumin seeds and adobe chiles add a complex flavor that, combined with orange juice and zest, softens and augments the earthy black beans perfectly. Serve with tofu-based Spiked Sour Cream and your favorite salsa for a meal the whole family will enjoy. A reviewer shares, “This is hands down the most delicious recipe on this site, and so simple! I made a huge batch of them and stuck them in the freezer. Try them! You won’t be disappointed.”
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Pistachio-Orange Stuffed Dates
Whether you’re looking for a tasty after-dinner treat or a gluten-free snack for yourself or others, these zingy stuffed dates are an excellent option. Orange zest and rind give the chopped three-nut filling a zesty flavor that perfectly cuts the sweetness of Medjool dates. The recipe calls for almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, but feel free to swap in any other nuts you have on hand. As one commenter writes, “The orange rind and zest bring all the flavors together in a not-too-sweet accompaniment to coffee or tea. Great recipe that I’ll make again.”
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Kale and Farro Salad with Orange-Avocado Dressing
Not a fan of kale? This delectable salad may just win you over! The kale is steamed, along with broccoli, and combined with raw veggies such as cherry tomatoes, carrots, red pepper, and scallions. Dotted with dried cranberries and smothered in a thick and creamy avocado-orange dressing, this memorable salad is a great recipe to have on hand when you need something special. A fan writes, “So worth making! This was definitely a crowd-pleaser! Even my teens loved it! Everything goes together perfectly!
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Wasabi Orange Sauce
Five ingredients are all it takes to create this luxurious orange sauce. Juicy oranges provide an elegant base, peanut butter adds a rich creamy texture, and tamari sauce adds savory umami notes. Naturally sweetened with dates, this nutritious sauce is excellent over salads, Buddha bowls, or as a dipper for Spring Rolls. Feel free to add as little or as much wasabi to suit your tastes. A reviewer shares, “I made this yesterday as a topping on our Buddha bowls. It was delicious—creamy and smooth. I also added the zest from the three organic oranges for extra flavor.”
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Fennel, Orange, and Beet Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
This festive fall-flavored salad combines the earthy sweet vibe of beets with tangy oranges and the subtle anise flavor of fennel. Sprinkle with a few sunflower seeds, add a dollop of delicious maple syrup and mustard dressing, and serve. One fan notes, “This is delicious, and my husband, who doesn't like veggies, loved it. The dressing is yummy.”
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Cranberry-Orange Biscotti
These fragrant vegan biscotti are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy. Orange juice lends a subtle citrusy flavor, while dried cranberries add sweetness. Note: The recipe calls for dried sweeteners such as unrefined sugar or date sugar; feel free to pay around to suit your tastes—one reviewer found that chopped dates were a good substitute. Another commenter shares, “Perfect for a holiday brunch.”
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Date and Orange Couscous Salad
This divine cool-weather couscous salad features a creamy tahini vinaigrette, fragrant with warming cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Finely chopped dates lend sweetness, fresh spinach adds a green lift, and juicy orange segments make it something special. One fan writes, “This is seriously the most delicious salad ever. Holy goodness!”
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Cranberry-Orange Bread Pudding
This good-for-you bread pudding is a great way to use up not-so-fresh bread and tastes like a decadent treat. The bread becomes mouthwateringly cake-like soaked in a date-sweetened orange-infused milk broth with cinnamon and ginger. Fresh cranberries add pops of tartness and color. Cut into squares and serve warm with a drizzle of creamy orange dressing.
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Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Cilantro-Orange Crema
Looking for a festive family meal? These saucy vegan enchiladas are sure to be a home run. Orange zest infuses the sweet potato filling with citrusy flavor, while pinto beans add creaminess and heft. Bake the enchiladas with the red sauce and serve with cashew-based Cilantro-Orange Crema. A garnish of red onion adds a balancing sharpness that satisfies the palate, while orange segments echo the orange-scented theme. A fan raves, “This will be my new company-worthy recipe. It’s so good [that] it tastes like a vegan dish you would get at a high-end restaurant. Love the orange flavor!”
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Blood Orange-Farro Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Every mouthful of this cafe-style salad is cheerful, bursting with exquisite flavor and texture. Chewy farro provides an earthy backdrop, blood oranges lend juiciness, crispy air-fried chickpeas add oomph, and romaine lettuce provides a pleasing green crunch. The orange dressing is a must and uses everyday ingredients such as maple syrup, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon. A reviewer writes, “I made this for my dinner tonight, and it was so good, but the best was the dressing. OMG, it is so good. I will be using it on more salads.”
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Pita Chips with Blueberry-Orange Salsa
This peppy orange salsa is a great way to enjoy the unparalleled juiciness of in-season oranges. Add fresh blueberries, lemon zest, a dash of cardamom, and a handful of unsalted pistachio nuts, and you've got the perfect dip for movie night. This healthy vegan orange salsa will impress vegans and non-vegans alike.
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Baby Kale Salad with Farro, Grapes, and Oranges
Generous portions of juicy oranges and plump grapes are the stars of this scrumptious side salad. The tender green leaves of baby kale tie in well with the nutty flavor of farro, while fennel, celery, and red onion add crunch and flavor. A quick and easy applesauce vinaigrette takes this salad over the top and into your favorite recipe rotation. A commenter notes, “Amazing salad! Even my picky guys liked it!! Good one.”
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Blueberry Spinach Salad Bowl with Orange Vinaigrette
Anchoring this flavorful wheat berry and spinach salad are oven-roasted sweet potatoes basted with orange juice and warming spices. Fresh blueberries add juiciness and contrast well with hefty cannellini beans while a citrusy Dijon vinaigrette coats every bite with bright, rich flavor. A reviewer shares, “This is a delicious dish and absolutely beautiful. I made a big salad to sit out for company, and it went over extremely well.”
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Red Cabbage Salad with Orange, Cranberries, and Walnuts
This vibrant salad will shine at any party and doesn’t require a long list of ingredients. Red cabbage's bold color and crunchy texture perfectly pair with generous amounts of juicy orange supremes. Walnuts, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley round out the flavors, creating a lasting impression for your guests. A fan writes, “This is a wonderful fresh salad. Loved the combination of purple cabbage and oranges.”
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Curried Blistered Green Beans with Orange Rice
This outstanding two-part side dish combines orange-infused brown rice and cauliflower rice with curry-glazed green beans, edamame, and carrots. Juicy, colorful, and earthy, this classy dish is a must-try. As one reviewer offers, “I made this for a friend who is a professional chef, and he loved it.”
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Orange Vegan Panna Cotta with Blackberries
This orange-scented vegan panna cotta is light, velvety, and creamy, with none of the heavy dairy found in traditional versions. Large strips of orange zest are heated with plant milk to ensure a robust flavor, while agar powder sets the dessert to a jelly-like texture. To maintain a smooth and silky texture, discard the zest before adding the agar powder. Serve chilled in individual serving glasses topped with fresh blackberries and juicy orange supremes.
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Chocolate-Orange Dessert Donuts
These incredible gluten-free donuts are the perfect healthy riff on the classic orange-chocolate flavor combination. The oat flour batter, flavored with cocoa powder, orange juice, and zest, gives rich flavor without needing oil or butter. Yes, you can have your donuts and eat them, too! For a fancy presentation, drizzle the citrusy Orange Sauce on each dessert plate, top with a doughnut and orange slices, then drizzle the remaining sauce over the doughnuts. If desired, top with shaved chocolate. A fan writes, “So good! Glaze is a must.”
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Yuca Coffee Cake with Walnuts and Orange Zest
This light, airy, gluten-free cake features yuca flour, rolled oats, earthy walnuts, and orange zest for a subtle citrusy flavor. Top with a dollop of creamy almond sauce for the ultimate vegan sweet treat to accompany your mid-morning tea. A fan writes, "Love this coffee cake. Date paste is hard to mix with nut milk and almond butter, so I warmed it in the microwave for about 20 seconds."
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Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Muffins
Fragrant with fall spices and a zesty orange flavor, these flourless muffins are almost a meal. Sweetened with date paste and banana, packed with rolled oats and dried cranberries, and sprinkled with walnut pieces, they're an array of healthy ingredients. Note: One reviewer had a good experience using fresh cranberries instead of dried (see the comments); you can also use raisins instead of cranberries. A fan writes, "Super moist, and the taste is fantastic. I shared these with quite a few people, and they all love them. Definitely a keeper recipe."
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Orange-Plum-Rosemary Ice Pops
Harness the distinctive aroma of fresh oranges in these refreshing, icy pops, which use orange pulp and zest. A little maple syrup sweetens them, lemon juice adds brightness, and a snip of fresh rosemary provides subtle woody notes. Enjoy as an after-dinner treat or a snack when you need cooling off. The recipe calls for finely chopped plums; if you don’t have them, feel free to omit or substitute with another fruit, such as blueberries or raspberries. Note: If you want to reduce or omit the maple syrup, dial down the lemon juice, as well.
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Grape and Fig Snacks
Ready for a new favorite snack? We've got you covered with these unforgettable fall cracker snacks. Fresh figs are cooked with orange zest and juice to form a tasty homemade jam that is better than anything in the store. Spread it on your favorite oil-free cracker or crispbread, and top with orange segments and grapes. Pass me another one, please!
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Cranberry-Orange Sauce
In this all-natural cooked cranberry sauce, orange boosts the flavor while softening the tartness of cranberries, and beets and dates lend sweetness and bold color. A little garlic provides a background depth enhancing the flavor all around. For a chunky sauce, blend with a potato masher; use a hand blender for a velvety smooth sauce. Serve with Holiday Dinner Torte, Whole Grain Stuffing with Pecans and Currants, and anything else you can think of! It's also excellent on top of pancakes or as part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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Kiwi-Orange Flatbreads
These fruity whole wheat flatbreads are a colorful and delicious answer to the age-old snack-attack question: “What do I want to eat?” A chewy wheat dough slathered in creamy cashew sauce takes on another dimension when topped with juicy fruits such as orange, kiwi, or berries. Give this one a try today; you won't regret it!
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