Mandarin Orange Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Parmesan Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Mandarin Orange Salad featuring a mix of baby spinach and arugula, complemented by sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries. Tossed in a zesty homemade poppy seed vinaigrette and topped with shaved Parmesan, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad 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
Dressing Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, arugula, drained mandarin oranges, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries. Gently toss to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, orange juice, honey, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard until well blended. Gradually drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing emulsifies. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle the shaved Parmesan on top and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the walnuts lightly before adding them to the salad.
- Adjust honey in the dressing to control sweetness according to your preference.
- You can substitute arugula with baby kale or mixed greens for variation.
- Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature for the best flavors.
Keywords: mandarin orange salad, spinach salad, arugula salad, poppy seed dressing, walnut salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, easy salad recipe
