• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourish Nutrition Blog

  • NUTRITION SERVICES
  • ABOUT
  • FREE GUIDE-Cooking for One
  • RECIPES
  • MEAL PLANNING GUIDE
  • FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • NUTRITION SERVICES
  • ABOUT
  • FREE GUIDE-Cooking for One
  • RECIPES
  • MEAL PLANNING GUIDE
  • FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Index » Salads

    Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges (for one)

    July 14, 2023 Updated April 26, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Prep Ahead Meals, Salads, Vegetarian Dishes, Winter Recipes

    Jump to Recipe
    spinach salad with mandarin oranges in a bowl with ingredients around it
    spinach salad with mandarin oranges in a bowl with text overlay

    This 15 minute spinach salad with mandarin oranges for one is a perfect flavor packed vegetarian salad. It's full of crunchy, juicy, and flavorful toppings-tender spinach, mandarin oranges, edamame, and an orange & ginger vinaigrette.

    spinach salad with mandarin oranges in a bowl with ingredients around it

    [This spinach salad with mandarin oranges 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]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serve with
    • Storage Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good salad recipes
    • Repurpose orange spinach salad
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    This salad is so refreshing and easy. It's flavorful, sweet, and juicy thanks to the added oranges. Personally, I can't do canned mandarin oranges, thanks to getting sick after having some as a kid.

    I'll always choose fresh ones, but go for canned if you have 'em.

    This salad is a great recipe to make if you've got a big bag of mandarin/or similar oranges to eat up. The dressing, especially would still be good with oranges that are a bit too ripe to enjoy plain.

    Since this spinach salad with mandarin oranges is on the lighter side, I'd add some crusty bread and cheese to make it more satisfying, you'll see below, but crumbled goat cheese, bleu cheese, or feta would be tasty here.

    You can also add meat.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the spinach salad with mandarin oranges recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this recipe.

    • Spinach/Mixed Greens: It's great with plain or baby spinach or whatever greens you have on hand. Mix it up by using what you already have on hand.
    • Mandarin Oranges: I prefer the fresh version, but go for canned or fresh. You'll use some of the juice in the dressing, if the canned mandarin orange juice is too sweet, add a dash of white or red wine vinegar to your dressing.
    • Olive Oil: Blend it with your orange juice for a tasty, simple dressing.
    • Broccoli: Crunchy broccoli florets are a great addition to this salad.
    • Ginger: Just a bit of ginger added to the dressing adds a nice zingy flavor.
    • Pistachios: I love a good crunch in salads. Use any kind of nut, but pistachios are very nice added to this spinach salad with mandarin oranges.
    • Edamame: Frozen edamame is such an easy plant based protein to add to dishes, it's got a great texture for salads.

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the spinach salad with mandarin oranges recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    mandarin ginger dressing for spinach salad with mandarin oranges

    1. Start by making the dressing for your spinach salad with mandarin oranges: Mix together mandarin orange juice, olive oil, grated ginger, and a pinch of salt.

    ingredients for spinach salad with mandarin oranges on a table

    2. Prepare the veggies: defrost the edamame, chop broccoli.

    greens, edamame, pistachios, and broccoli in a bowl

    3. Assemble spinach salad with mandarin oranges: add spinach or mixed greens to a serving bowl, then add broccoli, edamame, and chopped pistachios.

    peeled and sliced mandarin oranges on a cutting board

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

    Serve with

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

    Storage Tips

    Store vegetables together, but oranges, nuts, and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They should last about a week. Assemble your spinach salad with mandarin oranges just before enjoying.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Taste salad dressing 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 spinach salad with mandarin oranges. (about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees)
    • Use fresh mandarin (or similar small, easy to peel oranges) or canned. Either works. You can add a bit of white or red wine vinegar to canned mandarin orange juice, if desired.
    • Add other vegetables in your fridge to reduce food waste.
    • Use whatever greens you have on hand- mixed greens, kale, baby kale, arugula, etc.
    • To make this spinach salad with mandarin oranges more satisfying (I'd do this for a meal) add your favorite grain: farro, rice, quinoa, or toast. And cheese-goat cheese, feta, or bleu cheese would be great additions.
    • Other great add-ins: hearty grains, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries (crasins), seasonal vegetables, red onion, avocado, cheese, salmon or chicken.

    FAQ

    What goes with orange salad?

    Serve some crusty bread with your mandarin orange salad recipe, or a piece of meat like chicken or salmon. For a more filling spinach salad with mandarin oranges, I'd add some cheese too- like goat cheese, feta, or bleu cheese.

    Do I need to wash bagged spinach?

    Most bagged spinach has been washed, but it can still be sandy. Rinse spinach out in a bowl of cold water and pat dry. Then it's ready to use in your salad, like this mandarin orange salad recipe.

    Do mandarins taste different than oranges?

    Mandarin oranges and navel oranges do taste different. Mandarin oranges are often sweeter than navel oranges. Canned mandarines would be great in this spinach salad with mandarin oranges too.

    spinach salad with mandarin oranges in a large bowl with ingredients around it

    Other good salad recipes

    • Grapefruit & Avocado Salad
    • Simple Kale Salad
    • Mediterranean Grain Bowl
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad

    Repurpose orange spinach salad

    • Add some grilled chicken or salmon to your spinach salad with mandarin oranges
    • Wrap spinach salad with mandarin oranges ingredients in a tortilla for a simple spinach wrap.

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer 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, or add them to another salad.
    • Broccoli: Beef & Broccoli, Sheet Pan Broccoli, Chicken & Broccoli, or this Easy Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner.
    • Edamame: Beet & Arugula Salad, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad, or this Spring Green Pesto Pasta.

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

    oranges, broccoli, edamame, nuts in bowl

    Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges (for one)

    This 15 minute spinach salad with mandarin oranges is a perfect flavor packed vegetarian salad for one. It's full of crunchy, juicy, and flavorful toppings-tender spinach, mandarin oranges, edamame, and an orange & ginger vinaigrette.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • knife
    • cutting board
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Measuring Cups
    • small mixing bowl
    • serving bowl
    • whisk

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Spinach or mixed greens
    • 4 whole Mandarin Oranges (2 for dressing, 2 for salad)
    • 1 teaspoon Olive Oil divided
    • 1 cup Broccoli chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger
    • ¼ cup Pistachios
    • 1 cup Edamame thawed
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Start by making the dressing: add juice two small mandarin oranges (~2T juice), add 1 T olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, & a pinch of salt to a small mixing bowl.
    • 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 the salad by adding 2 cups spinach to a serving bowl, then add 1 c chopped broccoli, ½ c thawed edamame, 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 salad and enjoy immediately.
    • Serve with your favorite crusty bread.

    Notes

    • Taste for salt and ginger preferences- add more if desired.
    • Use fresh mandarin (or similar small, easy to peel oranges) or canned. Either works. You can add a bit of white or red wine vinegar to canned mandarin orange juice, 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 (USE ¼ teaspoon FOR EVERY TABLESPOON FRESH)
    • If you have 20 minutes, roast broccoli for added flavor and crunch. (about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees)
    • Add other vegetables in your fridge to reduce food waste.
    • For a more satisfying salad (I'd add to it to make a meal) Serve with your favorite grain: farro, rice, quinoa, or toast and cheese: goat cheese, feta, or bleu cheese.
    • Other great add-ins: hearty grains, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries (crasins), seasonal vegetables, red onion, avocado, cheese, salmon or chicken.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this spinach salad with mandarin oranges delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Salads

    • five salads in bowls
      25 Tasty Homemade Salads for One
    • close up of warm kale salad in a white bowl with a fork in it
      Warm Kale Salad for One
    • large bowl full of watermelon, blueberries, feta cheese on a table
      Watermelon Chicken Salad for One
    • kale, apple, and pomegranate salad with fork in it
      Holiday Kale Apple Slaw for One

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Scarlet says

      February 03, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      I love the flavor of mandarin oranges with spinach too. So yummy!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 7:26 pm

        isn't it so good?! thanks

        Reply
    2. Tawnie Kroll says

      February 03, 2020 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      Love Sprouts! This salad looks so flavorful I can't wait to make it to go along with dinner tonight, thank you!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 7:26 pm

        agree! and thanks 🙂

        Reply
    3. thisiswholesome says

      February 03, 2020 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      This is a healthy salad packed with nutrients. I love having this for lunch!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 7:26 pm

        it's delish! thanks

        Reply
    4. Julie says

      February 03, 2020 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Delicious, and the added oranges are an awesome addition! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        thanks!

        Reply
    5. Angela Allison says

      February 03, 2020 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      Not only this this salad delicious, it's so beautiful to look at! Absolutely loved all the flavors. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 9:15 am

        great to hear! thanks!

        Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        great to hear! thanks

        Reply
    6. Erika says

      February 03, 2020 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea to add mandarin oranges to a green salad!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2020 at 9:14 am

        thanks!

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Rebecca in a kitchen making guacamole with chips and dips on counter

    Hi I'm Rebecca

    I'm a registered dietitian and solo cook. I'm here to help you make cooking for one easier and more fun!

    About Rebecca

    popular posts

    • chili with toppings and slices of bread on side
      Chili Without Tomatoes
    • glass jar with oats, chia seeds, and frozen berries in it
      Overnight Oats with Yogurt (5 flavor combinations)
    • glass bowl of red and green cabbage and shredded carrots
      Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw
    • close up of beef, sauteed spinach, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a bowl
      Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl

    spring recipes

    • close up of mushroom, green bean pasta in bowl
      Mushroom Green Bean Pasta for One
    • three rows of sliced beets on a plate
      Beets in a Pressure Cooker (Make as many as you want!)
    • close up of pasta with mushrooms, bacon, and chicken with a fork in it
      Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
    • pesto pasta with parmesan cheese on top
      Pesto Pasta for One

    EATING DISORDER NUTRITIONIST

    featured on

    logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Free Guide

    • Click Here for your Cooking for One Time Saving Tip Sheet!

    About

    • About Rebecca
    • Nutrition Services
    • Cooking for One Recipes
    • Meal Planning for One

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe/Food Photography Services

    Salt Lake City based virtual dietitian | eating disorders | cooking for one

    [email protected] | 385-215-9458 | F: 385-259-7761

    Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service

    Copyright © 2024 Nourish Nutrition Co

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.