Dessert

Mandarin Orange Salad with Walnuts Cranberries and Parmesan Recipe

Bylilan Sage May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Introduction

This Mandarin Orange Salad is a fresh and vibrant blend of greens, sweet citrus, and crunchy nuts, perfect for a light lunch or side dish. The poppy seed dressing adds a tangy sweetness that ties all the flavors beautifully together.

A fresh salad is shown in a white bowl filled with bright green spinach leaves as the first layer, scattered with vibrant orange mandarin slices, deep red dried cranberries, and chunks of brown walnuts spread evenly on top. Large, thin off-white shavings of cheese are placed over the salad, with small flakes of salt and black pepper sprinkled across the colorful mix, all resting on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture partially visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups baby spinach
3 cups arugula
1 (11-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup toasted walnuts
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
Pinch of flaky sea salt
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, toss together the baby spinach, arugula, drained mandarin oranges, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, orange juice, honey, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is fully emulsified. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Top with shaved Parmesan and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving.

Tips & Variations

For added protein, try tossing in grilled chicken or chickpeas to make the salad more filling.
Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds for a different crunch and flavor.
If fresh oranges are in season, substitute mandarin oranges with peeled and segmented fresh oranges for a burst of juiciness.
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes after dressing to allow flavors to meld well.

Storage

Store any leftover salad without the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to maintain crispness. If dressed in advance, consume within a day and avoid reheating as the greens will wilt.