Description
This Mandarin Salad is a vibrant, refreshing blend of mixed greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, crisp cucumber, shredded carrots, and zesty citrus vinaigrette. It serves as a perfect light side dish or a healthy lunch option, combining fresh textures and a tangy-sweet dressing that delights the palate.
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: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add mixed greens, sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced red onion, drained mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, toasted sliced almonds, and crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Toss the Salad: Drizzle the prepared citrus dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to combine all components evenly without bruising the greens.
- Serve Immediately: Once tossed, serve the salad immediately to maintain freshness and crispness of the greens and vegetables.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken to turn this into a more filling complete meal.
- Pecans or walnuts can be substituted for almonds if preferred.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp and avoid sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
