Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe

This flavorful mandarin orange salad recipe is a perfect flavor packed vegetarian winter salad. It's a quick salad that just takes 15 minutes to make, plus it's got tender greens, mandarin oranges, edamame, and an orange & ginger vinaigrette.

This post was created in partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. I have been compensated for my time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

[This recipe was originally posted in February 2020. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

How will this salad make your life easier?

This mandarin orange salad recipe is great because all the ingredients are easy to find, and can all be found at Sprouts Farmers Market for a great price. I've said it before, but they've got the best priced produce in Salt Lake.

And if you like yummy wintery salads, try this grapefruit & avocado salad, this warm kale salad, or simple warm salad.

What makes this orange salad so good?

• Spinach/Mixed Greens
• Mandarin Oranges
• Olive Oil
• Broccoli
• Ginger
• Pistachios
• Edamame

How to make mandarin orange salad?

Start by making the dressing for your mandarin orange salad recipe: add juice two small mandarin oranges (~2T juice), add 1 T olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and a pinch of salt to a small mixing bowl. Whisk together.

Prepare the veggies: defrost the edamame by letting it sit in warm water, change a few times. Or defrost in the microwave. Chop broccoli.

Assemble your mandarin orange salad recipe by adding 2 cups 50/50 mixed greens or just spinach to a serving bowl, then add 1 c chopped broccoli, 1 c thawed edamame, and ¼ c chopped pistachios.

Peel or slice the peel off of 2 mandarin oranges. Cut thin slices. Remove seeds, then add to salad and finish off with the dressing. Toss your salad and enjoy immediately.

Serve this mandarin orange salad recipe with your favorite crusty bread or add your favorite grain to the salad (like farro, rice, quinoa, or wheat berries).

Substitutions/Tips

• Taste for salt and ginger preferences- add more if desired.
• Don't have fresh or frozen ginger (I have a whole frozen knob of ginger in my freezer, and I grate ginger from that when I need it)- add ⅛t ground ginger.
• If you have 20 minutes, roast broccoli for added flavor and crunch to your mandarin orange salad recipe. (about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees)
• Add other vegetables in your fridge to reduce food waste.
• Use whatever greens you have on hand-spinach, mixed greens, kale, baby kale, arugula, etc.
• Serve your mandarin orange salad recipe with your favorite grain: farro, rice, quinoa, or toast.
• Other great add-ins: hearty grains, sunflower seeds, seasonal vegetables, avocado, salmon or chicken.

FAQ

How can I repurpose this easy mandarin orange salad?

• Add some grilled chicken or salmon to your mandarin orange salad recipe
• Wrap it in a tortilla for a simple spinach wrap

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

• Spinach: Thai Beef with Fried Garlic & Spinach, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad, or this Mixed Fruit Smoothie.
• Mandarin oranges: Use the juice to make whipped cream for this gingerbread cake, in this Orange and Roasted Pear Salad, or add them to another salad.
• Broccoli: Beef & Broccoli, Broccoli Salad with Grapes, Chicken & Broccoli, or this Easy Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner.
• Edamame: Beef & Broccoli, Beet & Arugula Salad, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad, or this Spring Green Pesto Pasta.

Did you make this mandarin orange salad recipe? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

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