Description
This Mandarin Salad is a fresh and colorful blend of crisp greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, cucumber, and a light citrus vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing, healthy side dish perfect for spring, summer, holidays, or a light lunch, combining vibrant flavors and textures for a delightful eating experience.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
For the Citrus Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the mixed salad greens, sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced red onion, drained mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared citrus dressing over the salad ingredients, then toss gently to evenly coat all components without bruising the greens.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crispness and freshness of the ingredients.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken for a complete, protein-rich meal.
- Pecans or walnuts can be used as a tasty alternative to almonds.
- Dress the salad just before serving to maintain the crisp texture of the greens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
