Mandarin Orange Salad

4.98 from 38 votes

Mandarin Orange Salad is a refreshing mix of sweet oranges, crisp apples, dried cranberries, tangy feta, and crunchy candied almonds, all tossed in a zesty citrus dressing.

Prep Time25

Total Time25

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Mandarin Orange Salad

Servings: servings (as a side)

Author: Chelsea Lords

Cost: $5.68

Equipment

Large pan
Small blender
Jar or other sealable container

Ingredients

Salad

1 cup sliced almonds see note 1
6 tablespoons sugar
8 cups (5-ounces) mixed greens
3 clementine oranges or mandarins, peeled and segmented
2 large apples thinly sliced, Honeycrisp or Fuji
3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Dressing, see note 2

1 large orange
1 large lemon
1/2 cup olive oil
2-1/2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons poppy seeds

US - Metric

Instructions

Add almonds and sugar to a large skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the sugar melts and coats the almonds (3–4 minutes), remove pan from heat and continue stirring until the nuts are completely coated in the sugar. Spread onto a sheet of parchment paper to harden. Break into pieces.
Zest an orange for 2 teaspoons zest and juice it for 4 tablespoons. Zest a lemon for 1/2 teaspoon zest and juice it for 2 tablespoons. Blend all dressing ingredients except poppy seeds until smooth. Stir in poppy seeds, then transfer to a jar and chill. Shake before serving.
In a large bowl, combine greens, oranges, apples, cranberries, and feta.
This salad is best served immediately after it’s dressed, so wait to add dressing until you’re ready to serve. Drizzle some of the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. Top with almonds (about 1/3 cup), then enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

Note 1: There will be more almonds than you’ll need/want for the salad, but sugaring the almonds works best with this volume. Store leftover almonds in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months or in the pantry for 2–3 weeks.

Note 2: This recipe makes extra dressing than you likely need/want. I love having the leftovers to use throughout the week. If you want a smaller amount, halve the ingredients.

Storage/Make Ahead: Prep ingredients ahead, but store separately in the fridge. Combine and dress just before serving for the best freshness.

Nutrition