Description
A fresh and vibrant Mandarin Orange Salad combining peppery arugula, tender baby spinach, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a tangy poppy seed dressing and topped with shaved Parmesan and flaky sea salt. Perfect as a light lunch, side salad, or elegant appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 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
Dressing
- 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
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the baby spinach, arugula, drained mandarin oranges, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries until evenly mixed.
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, orange juice, honey, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while continually whisking to emulsify the dressing. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the shaved Parmesan over the top of the salad and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt for an added burst of flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh greens for the best texture and flavor.
- To toast walnuts, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook walnuts, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- For a vegan version, substitute the Parmesan with a plant-based cheese or omit it entirely.
- Make the dressing ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, whisking again before use.
- Adjust honey and orange juice quantities for sweeter or tangier dressing based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Mandarin Orange Salad, spinach salad, arugula salad, poppy seed dressing, healthy salad, easy salad recipe
