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If you’re looking for a fresh and colorful salad that’s light, refreshing, and easy to make, this mandarin orange salad is a perfect choice.
Made with sweet mandarin oranges, crisp greens, crunchy almonds, and a simple homemade dressing, this easy salad recipe is perfect for lunches, potlucks, BBQs, and summer gatherings.
The juicy citrus flavor pairs perfectly with fresh greens and crunchy toppings, creating a salad that feels bright and refreshing without being heavy.
Tap to jump right to recipe.It’s one of those simple recipes that works well as both a side dish and a light meal.
This mandarin orange salad is easy to customize with your favorite ingredients and comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, holiday meals, or summer entertaining.
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Looking for more easy salad recipes? Be sure to visit my Best Summer Salad Recipes collection for pasta salads, fruit salads, and picnic side dishes.
This easy salad uses simple fresh ingredients and a light homemade dressing for a bright and flavorful dish.
Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Salad
Salad
- 1 can mandarin orange segments, drained
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Mandarin Orange Salad
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, mandarin oranges, almonds, red onion, cucumber, dried cranberries, and cheese.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Toss gently until evenly coated.
Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Mandarin Orange Salad
Toast the almonds before adding them to the salad for extra flavor and crunch.
If using canned mandarin oranges, drain them well so the salad doesn’t become watery.
For the freshest texture, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
Easy Variations
This salad is easy to customize with different fruits, proteins, and toppings.
Try adding:
- grilled chicken
- shrimp
- strawberries
- blueberries
- apples
- pecans
- walnuts
- avocado
You can also swap the feta cheese for goat cheese or blue cheese depending on your preference.
Best Dressings for Mandarin Orange Salad
Light vinaigrettes pair best with the sweet citrus flavor of this salad.
Some great options include:
- poppy seed dressing
- honey citrus vinaigrette
- balsamic vinaigrette
- raspberry vinaigrette
- lemon vinaigrette
Avoid overly heavy dressings so the fresh flavors stay bright and balanced.
Serving Ideas
This mandarin orange salad pairs perfectly with:
- grilled chicken
- salmon
- pork chops
- sandwiches
- wraps
- summer BBQ meals
It’s also a beautiful addition to brunch tables, baby showers, holiday meals, and summer picnics.
Storage Tips
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
For best results, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. This helps the greens stay crisp and fresh.
This fresh mandarin orange salad is light, colorful, and full of bright citrus flavor. Made with crisp greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and a simple homemade dressing, it’s the perfect side dish for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, brunches, and summer gatherings.
- 1 can mandarin orange segments drained
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries optional
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
-
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, mandarin oranges, almonds, red onion, cucumber, dried cranberries, and cheese.
-
Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
-
Toss gently until evenly coated.
-
Serve immediately.
Toast the almonds for extra flavor and crunch.
Drain the mandarin oranges well before adding them to the salad.
For best texture, add the dressing just before serving.
Add grilled chicken or shrimp to turn this salad into a complete meal.
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Mango Avocado Salad
- Corn and Avocado Salad
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Asian Slaw with Sesame Dressing
- Caprese Salad
Follow my summer salads board on Pinterest.
