Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
This mandarin orange spinach salad is a delicious way to enjoy spinach. Why make a salad with iceberg lettuce when you can up the taste and nutrient content with dark leafy greens like spinach? Fresh baby spinach is so mild tasting, even my kids will eat it!
More salads with orange: Blood Orange Tangerine Salad, Orange & Mint Salad, Orange Fennel Salad, Orange Celery Salad, Orange & Wheat Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, Fresh Citrus Salad.
Variations to this Salad
A classic salad that you can change every time to suit the season, who’s at the table (skip the onions for me and my kids!) and the ingredients you have.
The Greens
I like using dark leafy greens whenever I can, they’re hardier and provide more nutrients and quite frankly, every leading health organization in the world says we need to eat more. So when I can I opt for spinach, kale, arugula, bok choy, etc.
But of course, you can swap the spinach for whatever leafy greens you prefer and have on hand. In spring, I love fresh garden lettuce or mesclun mixes.
The Fruit
Canned mandarin oranges are a simple standard for this recipe, they’re always available, affordable and easy to use. But, any fruit will do! Change the fruit according to the season.
Early summer, use fresh strawberries or haskaps or both!
Mid summer – use any and all berries you can get your hands on
Late summer – say hello peaches and nectarines and plums
Fall – apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranates, oranges
You get the idea! Need a refresher on what’s in season at what time? Check out Seasonal Food and pick a month.
The Toppings & Finishing Touches
Every great salad needs the finishing touches to really hit the mark. Something crunchy, something sweet, something green or something salty. You want to hit all the senses and cover off all the flavours so add toppings that complete your salad.
In the original recipe from 2014 (yeah, it’s been around a while!) I include pomegranate seeds, honey glazed pecans and goat cheese. But it’s a little different EVERY time I make this salad – depending on what I have and what I feel like.
Nuts & Seeds – walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, toasted sliced almonds, toasted pepitas, sesame seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, etc.
Cheese – creamy, crumbly, salty, briney – what do you like? feta, goat cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan, cheddar?
Other Bits – fresh or frozen pomegranates, dried cranberries, apricots or apples, red onions, green onions, parsley, dill, cilantro
Here’s a spinach salad recipe perfect for lunch or as a side at an elegant dinner. It’s also an eye-catching, crowd-pleasing addition to pot luck tables.
Recipe for Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups spinach one (6 to 8 oz pkg)
- 2 cups mandarin orange segments
- ½ cup honey glazed pecans
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
- Vinaigrette
- ½ cup Canola Oil
- 3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Honey
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry spinach.
- Make vinaigrette by pouring all ingredients in a screw top jar and shaking vigorously.
- Toss spinach with vinaigrette (you may not need all the vinaigrette, store extra in the fridge for a week).
- Arrange mandarin oranges, pecans, feta and pomegranate seeds on top.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
This mandarin orange spinach salad is great any time of year thanks to a handy can of mandarin oranges and spinach or dark leafy greens which you can get year round. But during citrus season (December to April in North America), consider using fresh citrus. I love the variety of oranges, grapefruits and pomelos available in the produce aisle that you can use in this salad. If you’re not sure about the difference between a tangelo, Moro or Cara Cara style orange, check out this article on 5 Citrus Varieties.
And check out these other citrus inspired salads.
Other Stunning Citrus Salads
These are all stunning and delicious salads made with fresh oranges.
- Orange and Wheatberry Salad on Dark Greens
- Blood Orange Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
- Orange and Mint Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- Orange Celery Salad
- Orange Fennel Salad
Are you ready to try this salad? Leave a comment and of course, if you make it, share a photo on Instagram and tag @getgettys so I can see it and like it!
Step by Step guide to Vinaigrette
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Vinaigrettes use at least twice as much oil as acid and are bound by an emulsifier. So whether you make a small or big batch use 2 parts oil, 1 part acid and 1 part emulsifier. Don’t worry. The guide will walk you through it all…
- Get the ratio you need for dressing success
- Ideas for flavour and emulsifiers
- Salad & Dressing recipes you’ll love
Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty. Getty is a food educator and Professional Home Economist, who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen. Sign up to get seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox. Learn more about Getty or check out her books and pdf guides.