This time of year grapefruits are one of the healthiest and best things you can eat for breakfast. I wouldn’t go so far as to go on the grapefruit diet or anything, but regularly eating in-season grapefruits is a great way to start the day.

I still remember as a child when my mom used to slice open a big fat grapefruit and cut each individual segment so it was easy to spoon out of the membrane. I remember thinking that it looked like a ton of work!

Of course, it really just takes a few seconds assuming you aren’t a five year old. And if you are a five year old then please don’t play with serrated knives.

While grapefruits are perfectly delicious on their own with maybe a pinch of salt or sugar, quickly broiling them just ups the flavors. The quick heat makes them even more juicy and also gives you the opportunity to add on some spices.

I’ve actually made a plain broiled grapefruit on Macheesmo before but I like this spiced Broiled Grapefruit version more, hence the update.

Broiled Grapefruit

3 from 4 votes
Author: Nick Evans
Servings: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This recipe is a quick and easy way to put a spin on grapefruit, just broil it quickly with a simple crumb topping. Perfect for Brunch!

Ingredients 

  • 2 grapefruits, halved and prepared
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler on high.
  • Cut grapefruits in half and use a knife to cut out each segment away from the tough walls.
  • Mix butter, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon and pinch of salt in a small bowl.
  • Top each grapefruit half with a good sprinkle of the topping.
  • Broil grapefruits on a baking sheet for about 4 minutes until the topping is caramelized.
  • Let cool briefly and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5Grapefruit | Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1560IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Course: Breakfast & Brunch

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Broiled Grapefruit

Prepping the Grapefruit

When you slice a grapefruit in half, be sure that you slice it horizontally so you split all the segments in half. You shouldn’t cut the ends in half if that makes sense. That makes it possible to scoop out each segment half for easy eating.

As I mentioned before, it will be a pain to eat if you don’t take the time to cut out each segment. Just take a serrated knife (I use a small steak knife) and run it around the edges of the grapefruit and then next to each segment on both sides. That’ll make it really easy to eat later!

Broiled Grapefruit - Macheesmo

Getting Spicy

I used a little less sugar than in my previous version and instead added some fresh rosemary and red pepper flakes. Honestly, I could’ve used more red pepper flakes for my tastes, but I like stuff pretty spicy so I kept it light. Sprinkle on a bit more though if you want.

Simple spices for Broiled Grapefruit
Simple spices

At this point, this is barely a recipe.

Preheat the broiler to high heat and position the rack of your oven so the grapefruit will be an inch or two away from the heat. Then add the grapefruit to a baking sheet and pack on the topping!

Do your best to make the grapefruit halves level or they will broil unevenly.

Ready to go - Broiled Grapefruit
Ready to go.

Keep a really close eye on these while they broil. The sugar will melt and start to caramelize and the grapefruit will heat up which makes it incredibly juicy.

You won’t need to broil it for more than about three minutes, but I would check on it after 90 seconds.

Broiled Grapefruit after a quick broil.
After a quick broil.

Let the Broiled Grapefruit cool a bit before serving, but definitely serve them while they are slightly warm.

Spicy Broiled Grapefruit ~ Macheesmo
Sweet and spicy!

A Broiled Grapefruit is a great start to the day and you’ll find the best grapefruits this time of year.

It can be ready and on the table in under 10 minutes which is always nice.

Anybody a grapefruit fan? Have you ever broiled them?