Mandarin Salad
This mandarin salad is a refreshing addition to that backyard summer get-together. It can just as easily be brought to winter holiday parties. It goes with everything! There’s a slight touch of sweetness from dried cranberries, a crunch from toasted almonds, and is topped off with juicy mandarin orange slices marinated in dried herbs, citrus, and vinegar. Sometimes I’ll sub a ripe mango for the mandarin orange. It still comes out excellent as it’s loaded with flavors and tastes fresh.
This is one of my most requested recipes from friends, family, and colleagues. It’s easy, healthy, and delicious. You must try it!
I encourage you to share your experience in the comments below if you tried this recipe or made it differently. If you took a photo, please share with me on my instagram account ‘zesty_zahra’ and I will share your stories there. I am always happy to learn about people’s food choices and preferences!
Mandarin Salad
Ingredients
- 5 oz Mixed Greens
- 1 Avocado cubed
- 2 tbsp Dried Cranberries
- 2 Mandarin Oranges peeled and sliced
Dressing
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ cup Red Onion finely diced
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- ½ tsp Dried Parsley
- ½ tsp Dried Basil
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Almonds diced
- 2 tsp Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, red onion, oregano, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Add mandarin oranges and refrigerate for a few minutes to marinate.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until golden brown, then set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds until golden brown, then set aside.
- In a large platter or mixing bowl add mixed greens, avocado and dried cranberries.
- Drizzle dressing on salad and toss gently.
- Garnish with toasted almonds and sesame seeds. Serve immediately!
Best salad ever, I make this dressing in bulk and always have it around!!
Hi Sarah – so glad to hear that you love it so much, this is my favorite salad too! Thank you for the feedback!
It’s delicious! Similar to a mandarin salad at restaurant I had before. I’m always changing recipes. I used what I had at home. So I used arugula and romaine lettuce. I didn’t have sesame seeds; so I substituted for a little sesame oil. Added nutritional yeast, walnuts, and of course for me habanero peppers chopped 🌶 since I was the one eating it. I also added boneless chicken. I was scraping my bowl to make sure I missed nothing. Will definitely make this for a gathering. Even if it just the dressing. I never eat dressing people have anyway because all the bad ingredients I should not have.