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Mandarin orange spinach salad ingredients including sliced almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries tossed in a creamy citrus dressing on a white platter.

Mandarin Orange Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

This light, flavorful Mandarin Orange Salad includes spinach, dried cranberries, almonds, feta cheese, and mandarin oranges and pairs perfectly with our  Creamy Citrus Dressing. Serve on special occasions or on any weeknight.
5 from 8 votes
Yield: 8 side salads
Total Time:15 minutes

Ingredients
 

Creamy Citrus Dressing:

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey (plus more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad:

  • 8 cups baby spinach leaves (loosely packed; roughly chop if leaves are big)
  • 1/2 cup mandarin orange segments, drained
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted (sub: pecans)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  1. For the Dressing: Pour all dressing ingredients in a mason jar, close lid tightly, and shake until combined (or whisk everything together in a bowl). Refrigerate for up to two weeks.
  2. For the Salad: In a large salad bowl or platter, either layer or toss the spinach, orange segments, crumbled cheese, sliced almonds, and cranberries. Set out the dressing alongside the salad when serving.

Notes/Tips

  • I'd recommend serving the dressing on the side or eating immediately after dressing the salad. It won't last long after tossing with the dressing, because the citrus begins to break down the spinach.
  • Spring mix greens are a good replacement for the spinach.
  • I prefer to cut the little mandarin orange segments in half, but you can leave them whole.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 salad | Calories: 178 kcal (9%) | Carbohydrates: 10 g (3%) | Protein: 5 g (10%) | Fat: 14 g (22%) | Cholesterol: 7 mg (2%) | Sodium: 170 mg (7%) | Fiber: 2 g (8%) | Sugar: 8 g (9%)
If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe!