Description
This Spinach Mandarin Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing is fresh, sweet, tangy, and ready in just 10 minutes. Tender baby spinach is topped with juicy mandarin oranges, creamy goat cheese, toasted almonds, and dried cranberries, then drizzled with a simple honey balsamic dressing. It’s the perfect easy side dish for busy weeknights, holiday dinners, or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 5–6 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (canned, drained or fresh)
- 2–3 tablespoons very thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Honey Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Toast the almonds (optional but recommended).
Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool. - Prepare the salad.
In a large bowl, add baby spinach, mandarin oranges, red onion, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. - Make the dressing.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined. - Dress and serve.
Just before serving, toss the salad with about half of the dressing. Add more as desired. Serve immediately. - Store leftovers.
Store undressed salad and dressing separately if possible. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days (best within 2 days once dressed).
Notes
- For extra flavor, always toast the almonds.
- Substitute feta for goat cheese if preferred.
- Nut-free option: use pepitas or sunflower seeds.
- Make it vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey and omitting or replacing the cheese.
- Add grilled chicken or salmon to turn this into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook / Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg