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When it comes to citrus fruit, grapefruit always seems to take second billing to its more popular siblings. But used properly, the unique, bittersweet flavour of grapefruit will brighten up your cooking, while its jewel-like segments bring a splash of colour to any plate.
If you find grapefruit difficult to cut up, follow our step-by-step guide to cutting a grapefruit into segments.
Grapefruit is a large citrus fruit with a yellow-orange rind and segmented flesh that can be either white, yellow, pink or red, depending on the cultivar. It has an acidic, bittersweet flavour, but this too can vary, with the red-fleshed varieties tending to be sweeter.
A particularly nutrient-dense food, grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, both of which support healthy immune function, and fibre, which is important for healthy digestion. Grapefruit is also packed with antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
If you want to include more grapefruit in your diet, there are plenty of tasty recipes to choose from. The days of hacking away at half a grapefruit with a spoon are long gone, so try scattering a few segments into your favourite salad, using it as an accompaniment for fish, or making a zesty fruit cocktail.
Grapefruit marmalade: this grapefruit version of a classic marmalade from Olive Magazine has a beautiful colour and just the right amount of bitterness. Perfect spread on toast, as a filling for sandwich cakes, or even as a zesty glaze for meat.
Grapefruit and Greek yoghurt loaf: this light, fluffy loaf cake from Sally’s Baking Addiction is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and tastes great with a cup of coffee or as an after dinner treat.
Pink grapefruit bars: these irresistible cookie bars from Garlic and Zest are made with buttery, crumbly shortbread and sweet, tangy grapefruit curd for a gorgeously gooey treat.
Broiled grapefruit: this easy grapefruit hack from Simply Recipes may look like the traditional grapefruit half, but putting it under the broiler with a little brown sugar gives it a delicious caramelised flavour that takes this simple breakfast dish to a whole new level.
Leche flan with grapefruit: this Filipino-American dessert from Epicurious uses light, zesty grapefruit to complement the creamy custard and sweet, buttery caramel of the flan. A delicious summer dessert that makes a refreshing alternative to crème brûlée at dinner parties.
Doughnuts with grapefruit curd and citrus sugar: these gourmet homemade doughnuts from Epicurious are fried to golden perfection, with a soft, fluffy centre, zingy citrus sugar coating and gooey grapefruit curd oozing out from the middle.
Pink grapefruit cake with ginger grapefruit glaze: this light, zesty cake from The Cookie Rookie is simple to make and tastes great with coffee or as part of an afternoon tea. We particularly love the grapefruit and ginger glaze.
Super moist grapefruit cake: this yummy drizzle cake from The Comfort of Cooking is drenched in a delicious grapefruit syrup to infuse it with zesty grapefruit flavour and help to keep it moist. Serve a slice or two for brunch, or at spring parties.
Mixed grapefruit with ricotta and cardamom honey: this recipe from Martha Stewart is a little spicy and a little zesty, a little creamy and a little sweet. It works as either a breakfast bowl or a dessert, and if you have any leftover cardamom honey, try drizzling it in your tea.
Cavolo nero, pink grapefruit, avocado and walnut salad: this striking salad from Olive Magazine is a masterpiece of different colours, textures and flavours, and it’s packed full of essential nutrients, too.
Thai pink grapefruit and prawn salad: this colourful, Asian-inspired salad from Olive Magazine is full of zesty, spicy flavours, with juicy tiger prawns, sweet coconut and crunchy peanuts.
Soy sauce and citrus marinated chicken: another flavourful Asian-inspired dish, this time from the folks at Epicurious. The salty, zesty marinade is the true star of this recipe, and works great with pork as well as chicken.
Grapefruit and smoked trout Cobb salad: grapefruit slices add brightness and colour to this healthy salad from Martha Stewart. Made with faro grains, smoked trout and creamy avocado, this dish makes a tasty and satisfying lunch.
Grapefruit gremolata salmon: a fragrant gremolata and juicy grapefruit segments are the perfect complement for flaky grilled salmon in this quick and easy dish from Taste of Home
Grapefruit and vinegar roasted beets with salsa verde: this vibrant appetiser from Martha Stewart is bursting with flavour and colour and is sure to delight your dinner guests.
As well as being good to eat, grapefruit can be used to make tasty and refreshing drinks. Here are some of our favourites, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Pink punch with grapefruit: a non-alcoholic punch that’s perfect for your next summer party, courtesy of yours truly at Fine Dining Lovers.
Grapefruit and beetroot smoothie: a ruby red smoothie from Fine Dining Lovers, made with grapefruit, beets, orange, banana and mint, and packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Persimmon smoothie with grapefruit: another nutritious smoothie from Fine Dining Lovers, this refreshing fruit drink is dairy free and suitable for vegans.
Punch house spritz: an elegant and refreshing twist on the classic Spritz, this summery cocktail from Epicurious is made with sweet lambrusco rosato, dry Cocchi Americano and tart grapefruit
Salty dog sangria: this zesty summer cooler from Taste of Home is made with rosé wine, grapefruit juice, ginger ale, and grapefruit vodka, with salt and grapefruit zest around the rim of your glass.
Paloma cocktail: this classic Mexican cocktail, courtesy of A Couple Cooks, is the grapefruit version of a margarita, made with tequila, grapefruit juice and soda.
Brown Derby cocktail: a vintage cocktail that dates back to Hollywood in the glamorous 1930s, the Brown Derby is made with bourbon, grapefruit juice and honey syrup. Recipe from A Couple Cooks.
Greyhound cocktail: another classic cocktail, this time from The Spruce Eats, the greyhound is simply made, using just grapefruit juice and gin or vodka, for a refreshing sip that really showcases that sweet-tart grapefruit flavour.
Hemingway daiquiri: also known as a Papa Doble or Hemingway Special, this popular variation on the classic daiquiri is named after author Ernest Hemingway, and is made with rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit and lime juice and simple syrup. Recipe from The Spruce Eats.
