Mandarin Orange Salad with Honey Vinaigrette Recipe
A refreshing Mandarin Orange Salad featuring mixed greens, juicy mandarin segments, creamy avocado, crunchy candied pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a vibrant homemade orange vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a colorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Orange Dressing
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice or mandarin juice
- ½–1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
- 1 small clove garlic, minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens
- ½ cup candied pecans or lightly toasted pecans
- 4–6 mandarin oranges, peeled and separated into sections (or 2 cans of mandarin oranges, drained)
- 2 small avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup sliced shallots or red onion
Instructions
- Prepare Oranges: Peel and segment the mandarin oranges if using fresh, or drain canned mandarins thoroughly. Set aside. Also, slice and chop all other salad ingredients as needed, including the avocados, shallots, and pecans.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and thyme. Whisk or shake well until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more oil for creaminess, honey for sweetness, or vinegar for acidity.
- Assemble Salad: Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Top with the sliced shallots, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, crumbled feta, mandarin sections, and diced avocado. Drizzle the prepared orange dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors without bruising the ingredients.
Notes
- Use fresh mandarin oranges for the best flavor but canned mandarins can be a convenient substitute.
- Candied pecans add a sweet crunch, but toasted pecans work well for a less sweet version.
- Adjust the dressing seasoning according to taste preferences, balancing sweetness and acidity.
- This salad is best served immediately to keep the greens crisp and the avocado fresh.
- For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or substitute with plant-based cheese.
Keywords: Mandarin Orange Salad, mixed greens salad, orange vinaigrette, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, avocado salad, feta cheese salad