Brighten Your Plate: Zesty Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe

Summer’s heat calls for a refreshing classic mandarin orange salad that bursts with citrusy brightness and crisp textures.

Juicy mandarin oranges dance amid crisp lettuce leaves, creating a delightful medley of flavors.

Sweet segments blend seamlessly with crunchy nuts and tender greens.

A light, zesty dressing adds a tangy kick that awakens every taste bud.

Delicate and light, this salad offers a perfect balance of sweetness and freshness.

Colorful ingredients promise a quick and elegant dish that will impress at any gathering.

You’ll want to savor every vibrant bite of this simple yet stunning salad.

Present the Salad with a Fresh Citrus Twist

• Fresh Brunch Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with a light quiche or frittata for a delightful weekend morning spread that balances tangy and creamy flavors.
• Elegant Lunch Plate: Serve alongside grilled chicken or baked salmon to transform the salad into a complete, nutritious meal with protein and refreshing citrus notes.
• Picnic Perfect Idea: Pack the dressing separately and combine ingredients just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent soggy greens during outdoor dining adventures.
• Mediterranean-Style Appetizer: Arrange the salad on a large platter with additional feta crumbles and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like mint or basil for a stunning presentation that hints at Mediterranean culinary traditions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 8

Mandarin Orange Salad Ingredient Lineup

• Mixed Greens: Crisp base that adds nutrition and texture to the salad, choose fresh and vibrant leaves without wilting.
• Mandarin Oranges: Sweet, juicy citrus that brings bright flavor and tangy freshness, select ripe and seedless segments.
• Dried Cranberries: Adds tart and chewy element, provides bursts of concentrated sweetness and antioxidants.
• Red Onion: Sharp and crunchy component that introduces zesty flavor, slice thinly for balanced taste.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty cheese that creates rich Mediterranean profile, opt for authentic Greek variety.
• Toasted Almonds: Nutty and crunchy topping that elevates texture, toast lightly to enhance natural oils and flavor.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that binds dressing and adds heart-healthy richness, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Vinegar: Provides tangy balance and acidity, white wine or apple cider vinegar work wonderfully.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that smooths dressing and complements citrus notes, select raw and local when possible.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds complex flavor and helps emulsify dressing, use smooth variety for consistent texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sea salt or kosher salt for pure taste.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and depth, freshly ground provides most robust flavor.

Tools That Help Build a Bright, Fruity Salad

• Large Salad Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and tossing ingredients.
• Small Bowl or Jar: Perfect for whisking and combining dressing components.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping red onion.
• Sharp Knife: For precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurate dressing ingredient measurements.

How to Toss Mandarin Orange Salad with Ease

• Create Vibrant Base

Grab a generous salad bowl and layer fresh mixed greens as your colorful foundation. Scatter bright mandarin orange segments across the greens for a burst of sunshine.

• Sprinkle Flavor Boosters

Enhance the salad with crunchy toasted almonds, tangy red onion slivers, sweet dried cranberries, and creamy feta cheese crumbles. These ingredients will dance together with delightful texture and taste.

• Whip Up Zesty Dressing

In a small container, blend olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid that will elevate your salad.

• Toss and Serve Instantly

Drizzle the freshly made dressing over your salad and gently mix everything together. Ensure each ingredient gets a light coating of the tangy dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum crispness and flavor explosion.

Add Crunch or Cream to Change It Up

• Roast almonds just before adding to enhance their nutty, toasty flavor and add extra crunch to the salad.
• Prepare dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to save meal prep time.
• Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy tofu for a more substantial and filling meal.
• Replace feta cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cheese or nutritional yeast to make the salad completely plant-based.
• Swap mandarin oranges with other seasonal fruits like strawberries in spring or pomegranate seeds in winter for a fresh flavor profile.

Tips for Keeping It Chilled and Crisp

• Store salad components separately to maintain crispness. Keep greens, mandarin oranges, and toppings in sealed containers, preventing sogginess and extending freshness for 2-3 days.
• Chop vegetables and toast almonds in advance, storing them in separate airtight containers. This reduces assembly time when craving a quick, delicious meal.
• Keep homemade vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake well before each use to re-blend ingredients and restore vibrant flavor.
• Pack individual salad components in small containers for grab-and-go lunches. Layer dressing at the bottom, then add sturdier ingredients to prevent wilting during transport.

Vibrant Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Mandarin orange salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your plate with crisp greens and sweet citrus. Delicate oranges dance with light vinaigrette, creating a simple yet elegant dish perfect for summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups (1.4 L) mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
• 1 cup (240 mL) mandarin oranges, canned and drained
• ½ cup (75 g) red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (60 g) almonds, sliced (toasted, optional)
• ¼ cup (40 g) cranberries, dried
• ¼ cup (30 g) feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Salad Assembly: Layer mixed greens as a vibrant base, strategically arranging mandarin oranges, thinly sliced red onion, golden toasted almonds, ruby-colored dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese throughout the bowl.
2. Dressing Creation: Craft a harmonious vinaigrette by vigorously whisking olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and seasoning in a compact container until the mixture transforms into a silky, unified emulsion.
3. Final Presentation: Cascade the freshly prepared dressing over the composed salad, using delicate folding motions to distribute flavors evenly, ensuring each ingredient receives a glistening coating without compromising the salad’s structural integrity. Serve immediately to maintain crisp textures and vibrant appearance.

Notes

• Keep mandarin oranges and greens cold before assembling to maintain crisp texture and freshness.
• Watch almonds closely while toasting to prevent burning, aim for golden brown color for maximum flavor and crunch.
• Add dressing immediately before serving to prevent greens from becoming soggy and losing their vibrant texture.
• Swap feta with vegan cheese alternative or omit for dairy-free version, use maple syrup instead of honey for vegan option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg