Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
Brighten up your table with the refreshing and nutrient-packed Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad, a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. This vibrant dish combines tender baby spinach, juicy mandarin orange segments, and a touch of crunch from toasted sliced almonds. Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle sharpness, while optional feta cheese offers creamy depth. The star of this recipe is the homemade vinaigrette—a delightful blend of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard—that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Ready in just 15 minutes and ideal as a light lunch or colorful side dish, this quick and easy salad is a go-to for anyone craving a burst of freshness. Try it today and enjoy a healthy, delicious option that's sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (canned or fresh)
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 0.5 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
- 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach. Place it into a large salad bowl.
Drain the mandarin orange segments if canned, or peel and segment fresh mandarins, and add them to the spinach.
Thinly slice the red onion. You’ll need about 1/4 cup. Add the onion slices to the salad bowl.
In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds until they are golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Let cool slightly, then sprinkle them over the salad.
If using, crumble feta cheese and add it to the salad for extra creaminess and flavor.
To prepare the vinaigrette, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk or shake well to emulsify the ingredients.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving, and gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh, tangy, and vibrant salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1298 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.9 g | 127% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.5 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2214 mg | 96% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 75.3 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.3 g | 48% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.9 g | ||
| Protein | 35.0 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 969 mg | 75% | |
| Iron | 9.5 mg | 53% | |
| Potassium | 800 mg | 17% | |
*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.
