Bright, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this Spinach Salad with Mandarin Poppy Seed Dressing is a delightful medley of fresh ingredients and irresistible textures. Tender baby spinach creates the perfect backdrop for juicy mandarin oranges, tangy red onion, creamy crumbled feta, toasted almonds, and sweet dried cranberries. Topped with a homemade poppy seed dressing featuring a blend of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, this salad strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, it's an excellent choice for a quick and healthy lunch, an elegant starter, or a vibrant addition to any dinner table. Whether you're seeking a refreshing side dish or a light main course, this spinach salad is guaranteed to impress!
Place the baby spinach in a large salad bowl.
Add the mandarin orange segments, red onion slices, toasted sliced almonds, crumbled feta cheese, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the spinach.
In a small mixing bowl or jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk the dressing ingredients together until emulsified, or shake the jar with the lid tightly closed until well combined.
Pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving.
Toss the salad gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories |
1738 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 114.5 g | 147% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.6 g | 138% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 2155 mg | 94% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 148.6 g | 54% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.0 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 111.9 g | ||
| Protein | 35.5 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 983 mg | 76% | |
| Iron | 10.1 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 891 mg | 19% | |
*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.