This mandarin orange salad is fresh, sweet and loaded with flavor. It is topped with an amazing homemade orange salad dressing that you can’t live without!
Table of Contents
Favorite Spring Salad
Around this time of year, I crave ALL the salads and this mandarin salad is absolutely one of my top recipes. The fresh ingredients mixed with the sweet orange vinaigrette is such a great combination. We love to top it with grilled chicken to make it a full meal.
This mandarin salad always makes an appearance for the holidays! It comes from my Aunt’s ‘Favorites’ cookbook and everyone loves it! In her original recipe, she also adds in green onions, mushrooms, avocado and tomatoes, however my family prefers it with just mandarins, cranberries and nuts. Another holiday favorite passed down over the years is this ambrosia salad!
This salad is so versatile…you can really add in anything and it would still be just as delicious! Just make sure to keep in the mandarin oranges because that’s what makes the whole salad recipe! It is SO good!
Recipe Ingredients
The star of the show is this delicious orange salad dressing. It calls for only a few simple ingredients and is so easy to make. It’s similar to a poppy seed dressing, but with an orange twist. The orange juice and zest add a fresh flavor that is simply irresistible.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
Orange Salad Dressing
- Frozen orange juice concentrate: Do not add any water to this. Just use it as-is.
- Orange zest: This adds even more citrus and a bit of lovely freshness. Naval oranges work well.
- Olive oil: The good fat that brings it all together and helps coat the salad in dressing.
- Vinegar: I used an apple cider vinegar, but distilled or white wine vinegar would work as well.
- Sugar: Not a lot, but just a little to help balance the sweetness.
- Lemon juice: This add the tartness the dressing needs.
- Salt: Just a little to help enhance all of the other flavors.
Salad
- Spring mix: You can also opt for spinach, if you prefer.
- Mandarin oranges: I love to use the canned because they are so juicy and add a really nice citrus.
- Dried cranberries: This adds a lovely tartness and sweetness to the salad.
- Sliced almonds: Swap out almonds for walnuts or pecans. You can even use candied pecans if preferred.
How to Make Mandarin Orange Salad
It takes such a little amount of time and effort to create something that may become your new holiday tradition.
- Toss the salad. Add the spring mix, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and almonds to a large bowl and toss.
- Make the Orange Salad Dressing. Add all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until combined.
- Dress the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the spring mix mixture and toss until well coated. Serve.
Variations
- Any type of greens will work. I used spring mix, but arugula, kale or spinach all taste great.
- Add sliced grilled chicken for more protein.
- Occasionally I add pasta, similar to my mandarin spinach pasta salad recipe.
- If limiting sugar, you can easily omit the dried cranberries.
- Feel free to add more toppings like fresh shaved parmesan, pomegranates, green onions or sliced avocado.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, then drizzle on top of the salad before serving.
Of course! Just whisk it really well to make sure the oil and vinegar emulsify. Give it a really good whisk before serving.
Aside from this amazing salad, mandarin oranges are a staple in my pantry. I love adding them to desserts (like in this no-bake mandarin orange parfait), adding them to my rainbow honey lime fruit salad, or letting my kids snack on them if they need a fruity treat.
Want more citrus-centric recipes? Try PF Chang’s orange chicken recipe or for lemon loves try crispy lemon baked fish, baked lemon chicken, or lemon chicken fettuccine.
More Fresh Salads with Fruit
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Mandarin Orange Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) bag spring mix (or spinach)
- 1 (11-ounce) can can mandarin oranges
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds (can use walnuts or pecans as well)
Orange Dressing
- ¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate (don't add water)
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
- ½ Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the spring mix, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and almonds until combined.
Orange Dressing
- In a mason jar, add the orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Shake until well combined. Add the poppyseeds and shake just before serving.
- Pour dressing over the salad. Toss until well coated.
Notes
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced mushrooms
- Sliced avocado
- Diced tomatoes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Dairy-Free, Fruit Salad, Gluten-Free, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Love how easy and delicious this recipe is. It’s perfect for a gathering or a party.
We love having a fresh salad with dinner! Adding the citrus gives it a nice touch!
Can the dressing be made a day or two ahead of time?
Definitely! I would just wait to add to the salad until just before serving. :)
Salad dressing is amazing. I added finely sliced red onion, creamy goat cheese and toasted the almonds. So good.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Sounds delicious!
Absolutely loved this salad. Made double the dressing but didn’t use it all. Will make it again. Hubby loved it too.
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Linda!
I am usually not a huge spinach fan, but this salad was amazing! The sweetness of the orange juice balanced out the slight bitterness that spinach. So refresshing!
Exceptional salad. Light simple and the dressing was perfect. I had 3 different salads on the table and this one went first. Eceveryone was asking for the recipe. Definitely a hit with our family.
I’m happy to hear it was a hit! Thanks for your comment Linda! :)
I used pecans instead of almonds. It was delicious
Sounds delicious!!
The best orange dressing I have come across. Since I’ve made this dressing I keep eating spinach I have been making spinach salad
Plan on making this salad on the week end..sounds, yummy…can I use juice from an orange instead of the frozen orange concentrate??
I haven’t tried it, but it would probably be a little too liquidy and not as strong an orange flavor.
You say Orange juice concentrate in the ingredients, and orange juice in the directions. Do you use the concentrate for the dressing without adding water?
Yes, I just use the orange juice concentrate without with water. :)
I really want to try this recipe, but I’m still a bit confused. Do you add water to the concentrate (to create OJ) before combining the dressing’s ingredients? Thank you. I can’t wait to try this!
Hi! Nope, no need to mix with water. You’ll just measure out 1/4 cup from the can :)
I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!
This salad is so delicious and easy to make, too!
This salad looks so fresh! I can’t wait to give this a try!
This looks delicious, I want one for lunch right now!
I just love salads and this looks great!
That dressing looks fantastic! This is a salad I could get my kids to eat.
I absolutely LOVE all things mandarin too. I can’t wait to try the dressing, it looks so light and flavorful!