Description
This Spinach Mandarin Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing is a fresh and vibrant dish featuring tender baby spinach, juicy mandarin segments, toasted almonds, and plant-based feta cheese, all brought together with a luscious honey balsamic dressing (natural). Perfect as a light lunch or a stunning side dish, it offers a harmonious blend of flavors, colors, and textures that can be prepared quickly and customized to suit various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
- 2 cups mandarin orange segments, peeled and seeded
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta (plant-based) cheese
Honey Balsamic Dressing (Natural)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon honey (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Natural gelling agent (optional), as needed for thicker consistency
Instructions
- Preparing the Ingredients: Thoroughly wash and dry the baby spinach to ensure the dressing clings well without watering down the salad. Peel and segment the mandarins, removing all seeds and pith for a clean juicy bite. Thinly slice the red onion.
- Toasting Almonds: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the almonds, stirring frequently until they turn golden and fragrant. This enhances their nutty flavor and adds a satisfying crunch.
- Making the Honey Balsamic Dressing (Natural): In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), honey (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. If a thicker dressing is preferred, gradually whisk in the natural gelling agent until the desired pourable texture is achieved.
- Assembling the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, mandarin segments, toasted almonds, and sliced red onion. Pour the honey balsamic dressing (natural) over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta (plant-based) cheese on top for creamy bursts in every bite.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp spinach leaves for the best texture and flavor.
- Whisk the dressing well and taste before tossing to balance the flavors.
- Adjust the honey (natural) level in the dressing to your preferred sweetness.
- Toast the almonds just before assembling to keep them crispy.
- Serve the salad immediately to maintain vibrant textures of spinach and mandarins.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: spinach salad, mandarin salad, honey balsamic dressing, plant-based, healthy salad, easy salad, gluten free salad
