What Is Grapefruit and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about grapefruit and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 60 recipes to cook tonight.

What is grapefruit?

Grapefruit is a large citrus with a tart, faintly bitter juice that sets it apart from sweeter oranges. Cut one open and you get juicy segments in shades from pale yellow to deep ruby, wrapped in a thick rind and bitter white pith.

The bitterness is the signature. It's bracing on its own and exactly what makes grapefruit so good against rich or sweet partners, where a milder citrus would just blend in. The fruit got its name from the way it grows in tight clusters on the tree, like oversized grapes.

Ways to Use Grapefruit

The breakfast half is the classic: slice it across the equator, loosen the segments with a knife, and scoop. A sprinkle of sugar or a quick run under the broiler caramelizes the top and softens the bite, turning it almost dessert-like.

For salads, supreme it. Cut off the peel and pith, then slice between the membranes to free clean, pith-free segments that won't taste bitter.

Those segments do their best work in a Citrus Salad with Watercress & Shaved Parmesan or a Crab n' Pink Grapefruit Salad, where the tartness cuts the richness.

The juice and peel cook beautifully too. Grapefruit goes into marmalades like Orange, Lemon & Grapefruit Marmalade and sharpens a Citrus Avocado Dip. A few segments tossed into an arugula salad bring the same lift.

Pink Versus White, and a Caution

Pink and red grapefruit are sweeter and milder, with the rosy color coming from lycopene; they're the friendly choice for eating out of hand. White grapefruit runs more sharply tart and bitter, which makes it the better pick when you want real cut against fat or sugar.

Grapefruit pairs with avocado, shrimp, crab, fennel, mint, and honey, and a little salt or chili tames its edge. The classic mistake is leaving the pith and membrane on your segments, which loads every bite with bitterness; supreming fixes it.

One real caution: grapefruit and its juice interact with a number of common medications, including some statins and blood pressure drugs, by blocking the enzyme that breaks them down. If you take prescription medication, check with your pharmacist before making grapefruit a habit.

Substitutes

Pomelo is the closest relative and the best swap, larger and milder with thick pith; it's grapefruit's parent and tastes like a gentler version. Yam Som-O, a Thai pomelo salad, shows it off.

For the tart-sweet balance in a salad, a mix of orange segments with a squeeze of lemon or lime gets you close, sweeter overall but with the acidity grapefruit brings. Blood oranges add a similar bittersweet depth with more sugar.

In drinks and dressings, where you mainly want sharp citrus juice, plain orange juice cut with lemon stands in fine, just without grapefruit's bitter backbone.

Buying and Storage

Pick fruit that feels heavy for its size, which means juicy, with smooth, taut skin.

A little surface scarring is fine and doesn't affect the inside. Avoid any that feel light, soft, or have spongy patches. At room temperature grapefruit keeps about a week and is actually juicier and easier to juice when not cold.

For longer storage, refrigerate it in the crisper, where it holds 2 to 3 weeks. Cut grapefruit should be wrapped and refrigerated, and it's best within 3 to 4 days. The juice freezes well for several months; freeze it in an airtight container, leaving headroom for expansion.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find grapefruit: Grapefruit is usually found in the fruit section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Grapefruit is a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

柚子

British (UK) term

Grapefruit

en français

pamplemousse

en español

pomelo

How much does grapefruit weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using grapefruit

There are 60 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Citrus Salad with Watercress & Shaved Parmesan

Grapefruit, orange and watercress create this refreshing and light salad. Great to serve before or after any heavier fat laden meal to clean the palate. Also good to incorporate some fall and winter fruit.

Citrus Avocado Dip

Fresh citrus fruits and ripe avocado bring you a very fresh taste, serve it with any kind of your favorite chips.

Crab n' Pink Grapefruit Salad

Sweet crab, tangy grapefruit on tender crisp on a bed of Boston lettuce drizzled with a perfectly balanced vinaigrette.

Chunky 3-Day Sour Orange & Grapefruit Marmalade

Transform tart sour oranges and ruby grapefruit into golden, chunky marmalade with this foolproof 3-day method. Each spoonful delivers zingy citrus burst balanced with sweet caramelized notes.

Asparagus, Broccoli, & Mushroom Omelette

This easy and tasty omelette is loaded with vegetables. Start off your day with this nutrition dense omelette with a slice of whole grain toast and half grape fruit.

Orange, Grapefruit Marmalade

Orange, grapefruit, and lime marmalade: a bittersweet three-citrus preserve with fine ribbons of peel suspended in a glossy set, brightened with a splash of Cointreau. Homemade for the toast lovers.

English Orange Marmalade

Traditional English orange marmalade with oranges, grapefruit, and lemon. Bittersweet citrus preserve, perfect on toast or scones. Three-citrus old-world recipe.

Orange, Lemon & Grapefruit Marmalade

Orange, lemon, and grapefruit marmalade slow-cooks three citrus fruits with sugar into a glossy bittersweet preserve. British-style marmalade with no commercial pectin needed.

Arugula Salad Orange Couscous & Citrus Vinaigrette

This salad's presentation is quite lovely. The citrus vinaigrette is top notch and we use the leftovers for other vegetables. The combination of orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit really kick it up a notch. If you really want to impress your guests and blow them away with sophistication this is sure to wow them. Or just make the dressing and use it for other dishes and turn any ordinary vegetable into something special.

Margaritas De Toronja (Grapefruit Margaritas)

Grapefruit Margaritas blend tequila, triple sec, and fresh grapefruit juice with cracked ice - a brighter, slightly bitter twist on the classic that serves 8 in 10 minutes.

Tangy Salmon Mousse

Light salmon mousse made with canned and smoked salmon, Greek yogurt, ginger, and whipped egg whites, served with a grapefruit-walnut oil salad. An elegant British-style starter.

Melon-Citrus Mingle

Big-batch melon and citrus fruit salad with honeydew, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, bananas, and cherries in fresh orange juice. Feeds 20 and keeps a week.

Easy Avocado & Grapefruit Salad

Avocado and grapefruit salad layers buttery Hass with bright pink grapefruit and razor-thin red onion, drizzled with sweet-tangy poppy seed dressing. Four-ingredient brunch starter ready in 10 minutes.

Grapefruit-Mint Sorbet

Grapefruit mint sorbet: a bright, bitter-sweet frozen dessert infused with fresh mint syrup and pure grapefruit juice. A naturally dairy-free palate cleanser.

Too Much Fruit Salad

Too much fruit salad is a big-batch medley of pineapple, melon, citrus, peaches, kiwi, and banana bathed in apricot nectar and chilled overnight so the flavors meld. A bright, make-ahead crowd salad.

Long Island Duck with Grapefruit

Roasted Long Island duck with a gastrique sauce made from caramelized sugar, red wine vinegar, and duck stock, garnished with fresh grapefruit sections. A refined, restaurant-level dish.

Kip Filet with Grapefruit Sauce

Chicken fillets (kip is Dutch for chicken) pan-seared and served with a creme fraiche and red grapefruit sauce brightened with shallots and coriander. A quick, elegant Dutch-style main.

Spiced Grapefruit Upside-Down Cake

Spiced grapefruit upside-down cake with brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves baked on a caramelized grapefruit base. Served with grapefruit-zest whipped cream.

Citrus-Shrimp Salad

Citrus shrimp salad: shrimp poached in orange-sherry-rosemary broth, chilled, and tossed with grapefruit, oranges, lettuce, and toasted sesame seeds. Bright, low-fat main-dish salad.

Composed Citrus Salad

Composed citrus salad arranges fresh orange and grapefruit segments over salad greens with a bright teriyaki-ginger-honey vinaigrette. Light, elegant, and a perfect winter starter when citrus is at its peak.

Vegetable Guacamole

Vegetable guacamole loaded with broccoli, cabbage, celery, tomatoes, and tomatillos mixed into mashed avocado with grapefruit juice, lime, cilantro, basil, and thyme. A veggie-packed twist on classic guac.

Summer Fruit Compote

Summer fruit compote with poached plums, boysenberries, raspberries, citrus, and grapes in a maple syrup and wine sauce finished with fresh mint. An elegant warm fruit dessert.

Grapefruit with a Twist

Grapefruit segments in lemon sugar syrup with a splash of gin or orange juice. An elegant, refreshing citrus dessert that can be prepped ahead.

Hot Fruit Dessert/Crockpot

A delicious fruit dessert made with juicy grapefruits, mandarin oranges, bananas and pineapple chunks.

Lime Mold

Retro lime gelatin mold layered with orange sections, grapefruit, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and melon balls. A colorful vintage fruit salad.

Swordfish Paillard with Leeks & Grapefruit

Paper-thin swordfish paillard flash-cooked until just opaque, topped with blanched leek julienne, fresh grapefruit segments, and a tangy mustard seed vinaigrette. An elegant 30-minute dinner.

Swordfish Paillard with Leeks & Grapefruit

Paper-thin swordfish paillard flash-cooked until just opaque, topped with blanched leek julienne, fresh grapefruit segments, and a tangy mustard seed vinaigrette. An elegant 30-minute dinner.

Mixed Citrus Salad

This is a tasty fruits salad,I always make it for my kids, at breakfast or at dinner, they love it so much!

Citrus Banana Cheesecake

A no-bake cheesecake with a whole wheat crust, creamy cottage cheese and banana filling, and fresh grapefruit on top. Light, tangy, and set with gelatin for a refreshing lower-calorie dessert.

Tutti Frutti Trifle

Frozen fruit trifle with grapefruit, orange, pineapple, marshmallows, coconut, and cherries folded into fluffy whipped egg whites. A retro no-bake dessert that's light, fruity, and fun.

Beets, Arugula & Grapefruit Salad

Peppery arugula, ruby-red sliced beets, and tangy grapefruit segments come together in this quick no-cook salad. Three bold ingredients, zero fuss, all flavor.

Grapefruit Crunch

Broiled grapefruit halves topped with crunchy brown sugar-wheat cereal topping. Quick 15-minute retro breakfast treat.

Fluffy Pink Grapefruit Frosting

Fluffy pink grapefruit frosting is a seven-minute frosting made with egg whites, sugar, and grapefruit juice beaten over a double boiler into billowy, citrus-scented peaks.

Grilled Shellfish Ceviche

Grilled shellfish ceviche with scallops, shrimp, and salmon marinated in lime juice with mango, grapefruit, and orange. A hybrid ceviche that combines citrus curing with quick grill marks.

Citrus Rice Mold

Cold citrus rice salad molded into a ring and served with fresh orange and grapefruit segments, watercress, and chicory. A retro party presentation that's light, fresh, and make-ahead friendly.

Spinach-Grapefruit Salad

Spinach and grapefruit salad with papaya, orange sections, radicchio, and onion rings in a lemon-paprika dressing with red pepper flakes. A bright, tropical no-cook salad.

Pineapple Boats Ahoy

Shrimp and citrus fruit salad served in hollowed pineapple boats with avocado, grapefruit, and orange in a lime-white wine dressing. A showstopping tropical presentation.

Black-Eyed Pea Crab Salad with Ruby Grapefruit

Black-eyed peas simmered in ham hock broth, tossed with sweet crabmeat, crispy bacon, tri-color bell peppers, and fresh herbs, then ringed with juicy ruby grapefruit sections. Southern elegance on a platter.

Lettuce & Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Citrus fruit salad with mandarin oranges, pink grapefruit, and tender bibb lettuce tossed in a homemade poppy seed dressing made with tarragon vinegar and dry mustard.

Refreshing Avocado & Grapefruit Salad

Avocado and grapefruit salad pairs cool, buttery avocado with bright, tart grapefruit segments under a grapefruit-juice vinaigrette. A refreshing, vegan winter salad that's ready in minutes.

Citrus Lobster Salad

Citrus lobster salad with grapefruit, orange sections, and a tangy orange-yogurt dressing on fresh spinach. A light, low-calorie seafood salad with bright citrus flavor.

Citrus & Fennel Salad

Italian-style winter salad of shaved fennel, juicy orange slices, pink grapefruit, red onion, and bitter radicchio dressed with citrus-spiked olive oil. A bright, anise-scented cold-weather starter.

Sliced Beet Salad

Sliced beet salad marinated with grapefruit, bay leaf, cloves, and allspice for a tangy, warmly spiced side dish. Diabetic-friendly and vegetarian.

Gingered Grapefruit Baskets

Gingered grapefruit baskets stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with fresh ginger-sugared grapefruit segments. A bright, palate-cleansing make-ahead dinner-party dessert.

Baked Grapefruit

Warm grapefruit halves topped with dark brown sugar, a pat of butter, and a maraschino cherry. A retro 10-minute breakfast or appetizer that's tart, sweet, and completely charming.

Red Snapper Fillets, Florida Style

Florida-style red snapper fillets bake under a citrus-blanket of orange and grapefruit zest with a whisper of nutmeg. Five ingredients, foil-covered, on the table in 25 minutes. Light, fragrant, full of Sunshine State sunshine.

Thai Pomelo-And-Chicken Salad

Bright Thai salad with shredded chicken, sweet-tart pomelo, and crispy fried shallots. Fish sauce, lime, and chili dressing brings bold Southeast Asian flavor.

Grilled Grapefruit (Australia)

Broiled grapefruit halves with butter, brown sugar, mixed spice and glace cherry garnish. Classic Australian retro breakfast or starter ready in 10 minutes.

Candied Grapefruit

Candied grapefruit peel: slow-simmered in sugar syrup until translucent, rolled in superfine sugar, and optionally dipped in dark chocolate for an old-fashioned confection.

Blushing Grapefruit Marmalade

Blushing grapefruit marmalade turns ruby red grapefruit and lemon into a pink-blush preserve with bittersweet citrus depth. A traditional small-batch marmalade with liquid pectin set.

All 60 recipes