Broiled Grapefruit makes a warm, juicy, and sweet addition to any breakfast or snack.
My dad was never a big fan of adding a lot of extras to his food. If he had a steak, a little salt was all it needed. Why spoil it with steak sauce? Simple meals. Simple foods.
Grapefruit is like that for me. Ruby red or yellow, it doesn’t matter. Just cut it in half, loosen the sections with a paring knife, and enjoy. Nothing else required. So I was a bit surprised that, while researching for this recipe, most of the recipes I saw called for two to three teaspoons of sugar per grapefruit half!
While I’m not one to accuse sugar of being behind all the nutritional evils of the world, I do think we eat too much of it. The new dietary guidelines recommend no more than 10% of calories come from added sugar. If we break that down for a typical 2000 calorie diet, it amounts to about 200 calories per day coming from added sugar. That equals about 50 grams, or about 12.5 tsp. of sugar. That’s it for the whole day. If we top a grapefruit half with three teaspoons of sugar we’re already at 25% of the recommended intake . . . and that’s if you’re eating 2000 calories a day.
Many people choose grapefruit for a meal because it’s low in calories and high in nutrition, namely vitamin C. In fact, one half of a medium grapefruit contains just 40 calories. If you add three teaspoons of sugar to half of a grapefruit, you’re adding more than double the calories of the fruit itself – 48 calories – which brings me to today’s recipe for Broiled Grapefruit.
Adding lots of sugar isn’t necessary for a truly delicious and healthy breakfast or snack item like Broiled Grapefruit. Heat from the broiler brings out the natural sugars in the fruit, making it a bit sweeter all on its own. You really don’t need three teaspoons of sugar. If you feel you need to dress it up a little or sweeten it some, cut back on the amount of sugar you top it with. Add a little ginger (like in the recipe below), or top it with another fruit like sliced strawberries. Be creative. You’ll be pleasantly pleased when you take your first bite of a warm, juicy broiled grapefruit.
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Broiled Grapefruit
Ingredients
- 1 whole grapefruit
- 1/2 tsp. turbinado sugar optional
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger optional
Instructions
- Turn broiler on to high heat.
- Wash grapefruit and cut in half along the equator of the fruit. Separate grapefruit sections from the peel and membrane with a paring knife.
- Place both halves on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. (Watch parchment paper closely while broiling as it can burn)
- If desired, mix together the turbinado sugar and ground ginger. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp. of the mixture on each half of the grapefruit.
- Place pan of grapefruit under the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes till fruit is warm and tender.
- Remove from oven and enjoy!
Wow, I never thought of broiling a grapefruit, Marie! I bet it’s delicious. I wonder if I could put a little raw honey on it after it comes out. I agree with you – there is far too much sugar in everything. Going to try this on the weekend!
Robyn – Honey would be lovely on this, even just a little drizzle before broiling. I tried it this morning again, but with sliced strawberries on top and it was so good! Hope you enjoy it as well. Have a wonderful week!
When I was growing up I remember my parents used to end many meals with half a grapefruit. My older siblings would have it too, but with sugar on top. I never liked it b/c I found it bitter, even with the sugar. These days I love ruby red grapefruit – no sugar needed! And amazingly my 4 year old daughters will eat it too. Never tried it broiled, but it sounds great!
We often had grapefruit when I was growing up, but with a bit of sugar on top. Ruby Red is my favorite and I love it. It’s great your daughters like it too!
Super interested in trying this, not usually a grapefruit lover, but I think I might like it this way 🙂
Grapefruit can be on the bitter side, I know. I think the heat tends to tame the bitterness and bring out a natural sweetness. Hope you like it!