You will make this bright, refreshing mandarin orange salad featuring spinach, crunchy almonds, and a simple homemade citrus vinaigrette. It is a perfect side dish for summer gatherings or BBQs.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:5 min
Total Time:20 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Salad Assembly
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
6 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, white wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully combined.
In a large bowl, combine the washed spinach and the drained mandarin oranges.
If using, sprinkle the feta cheese over the salad mixture.
Just before serving, drizzle the citrus vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to coat the greens and oranges.
Top the salad with the toasted sliced almonds. Serve immediately as a side dish for BBQ or any meal.
Notes
To save time on meal planning, you can prepare the vinaigrette up to two days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Let it warm slightly before using.
If you skip the feta, this salad fits well into a low-calorie diet plan.
For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or use this as a base for your weekly meal planning.