Mandarin Orange Salad with Peanut Dressing
Bright, zesty, and packed with irresistible crunch, this Mandarin Orange Salad with Peanut Dressing is a vibrant fusion of fresh vegetables, sweet citrus, and a creamy, tangy peanut butter dressing. Featuring a colorful mix of baby spinach, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy mandarin oranges, and crunchy roasted peanuts, this salad is elevated by the bold flavors of a homemade dressing made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and lime juice. It's a quick 20-minute recipe perfect for busy weeknights or a refreshing side dish for your next gathering. Serve this nutrient-packed salad as a light main course or pair it with your favorite protein for a more substantial meal. Perfectly balanced and uniquely satisfying, this salad is sure to become a new favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (canned or fresh, peeled)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned or shredded
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
Wash and dry the baby spinach and romaine lettuce. Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces and set aside along with the spinach.
In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, romaine, mandarin oranges, red bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro.
In a small mixing bowl, prepare the peanut dressing by whisking together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, water, lime juice, and minced garlic until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with a little more water if needed.
Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary (e.g., add a pinch of salt or a dash of honey for sweetness).
Drizzle the peanut dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts on top of the salad for added crunch and flavor.
Serve immediately as a fresh side dish or a light main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
407 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.6 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.3 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 546 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.8 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.1 g | ||
| Protein | 15.1 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 110 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 680 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
