Mandarin Orange Salad

This mandarin orange is full of citrus flavors and delicious when citrus is at its peak but a great all year-round salad. It’s perfect for lunch, or as a side dish for your next dinner party, potluck, family dinner or any event you are entertaining. It goes with just about any protein or on its own especially if you decide to add a grain to the salad for a heartier spin. Fresh salad greens of your choice tossed and topped with juicy mandarin or orange slices, candied pecans, pomegranate seeds/arils or dried cranberries, tangy feta cheese, shallots, and finally drizzled with a quick and easy orange honey Dijon dressing. It is NOT to be confused with the orange fluff instant pudding jello salad dessert - this one is fresh and fabulous and a true salad!

Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe Ingredients

• LETTUCE GREENS: You can literally use whatever salad greens you like - use Romaine lettuce, spring mix, red leaf lettuce, baby spinach or baby kale, arugula or do a blend of a few.
• MANDARIN ORANGES: Feel Free to use fresh Mandarin oranges sliced or segmented into sections. But I also use canned Mandarin orange segments, just look for the kind without added sugar.
• FETA CHEESE: Feta is the perfect salty briny add in but feel free to check out the variations below for more options.
• CANDIED PECANS: Use store bought or candied pecans. If you prefer to use regular pecans I recommend toasting them lightly for a little crunch. They add a sweet crunch to this salad.
• AVOCADO: This adds a nice creamy texture to each bite.
• SHALLOTS: They add loads of flavor but if you prefer to use red onion that is fine and you could even add some sliced green onions for extra flavor.
• POMEGRANATE SEEDS: I love the pop of color and flavor that pomegranate seeds/arils add to the salad but you could also swap them out for dried cranberries or other dried fruit like dried cherries or even craisins or raisins.
• THE DRESSING: You will need olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mandarin orange juice and zest or orange juice and zest, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. This combination makes for a delicious dressing for this salad. Of course you can swap out the cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar/white wine vinegar, the maple syrup for honey and dijon mustard for prepared mustard too - switch things up according to taste - that goes for the thyme. I like to use thyme but you can use any herb you like - sage or rosemary work too. For a little crunch you could add some poppy seeds to make it an orange poppy seed dressing.
  
  

How to Make This Delicious Mandarin Orange Salad:

1. Make Salad Dressing: Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl or shake in a jar. We want to make the dressing first so it has time to chill and the flavors to marry if possible.
2. Assemble Salad: Toss Salad ingredients together in a large bowl. Drizzle and toss salad with dressing if you are eating it right away or serve salad with dressing on the side.
   
   

Mandarin Orange Salad Varations:

• VEGETABLES: This salad is great with shaved fennel brussel sprouts. It’s also great with spinach or arugula instead of spring mix greens. Add some extra crunch by adding diced bell peppers, cucumbers or even shredded carrots or sliced celery.
• CHEESE: Try adding a different cheese like crumbled blue cheese, or goat cheese. Shaved or freshly grated parmesan cheese is also a great option.
• NUTS: No candied pecans no problem feel free to use any nuts, sliced or slivered almonds, walnuts or pistachios for a different flavor and plenty of crunch. You consul also add in some pumpkin seeds or pepitas.
• FRUIT: Add other types of fruit to the mix such as apples, pears, peaches, pineapple, or even raspberries. You can also swap out the pomegranate seeds with dried cranberries, dried cherries, or dried apricots.
• PROTEIN: Make it a meal by adding sliced grilled chicken to the salad. Or give it a boost of protein by adding white beans, chickpeas or cooked crumbled bacon.
• GRAINS: Add a grain to this salad like quinoa, wild rice, short pasta, or even farro.
  
  

Mandarin Orange Salad Storage & Make Ahead

• STORAGE: Undressed salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. Dressed salad is best eaten fresh otherwise the leftovers will get soggy.
• MAKE AHEAD: You can make the the dressing and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days and prep the ingredients and store them in separate containers in the fridge for up to 1 day ahead, When ready to serve, assemble the salad, and toss with the dressing.
  
  

More Salad Recipes You Will Love

• Apple Walnut Salad
• Pear Salad
• Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
• Waldorf Salad
• Harvest Salad
• Wild Rice Salad