Bright, crisp, and full of flavor, this mandarin orange salad is topped with crunchy almonds and a homemade orange dressing. It’s an easy way to add fresh color to any table!

Fresh mandarin oranges and crunchy almonds tossed with lettuce and orange dressing.

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Favorite Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe

This mandarin orange salad is a longtime family favorite! It’s made with crisp greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and a sweet homemade orange vinaigrette. We’ll often add grilled chicken to turn it into a full meal.

Originally from my aunt’s cookbook, it’s become a go-to for holidays and potlucks. While her version had mushrooms and avocado, we love it simply with mandarins, cranberries, and nuts. Another family favorite we always serve is this ambrosia salad.

Recipe Ingredients

While some versions of this salad use poppy seed dressing, I like it even better with a homemade orange dressing. It adds the perfect balance of sweet and tangy citrus flavor!

Salad ingredients including mandarin oranges, lettuce, cranberries, almonds, and ingredients for orange dressing.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

Orange Salad Dressing

  • Frozen orange juice concentrate: Do not add any water to this. Just use it as-is.
  • Orange zest: This adds even more citrus and a bit of lovely freshness. Naval oranges work well.
  • Olive oil: The good fat that brings it all together and helps coat the salad in dressing.
  • Vinegar: I used an apple cider vinegar, but distilled or white wine vinegar would work as well.
  • Sugar: Not a lot, but just a little to help balance the sweetness.
  • Lemon juice: This add the tartness the dressing needs.
  • Salt: Just a little to help enhance all of the other flavors.

Salad

  • Spring mix: You can also opt for spinach, if you prefer.
  • Mandarin oranges: I love to use the canned because they are so juicy and add a really nice citrus.
  • Dried cranberries: This adds a lovely tartness and sweetness to the salad.
  • Sliced almonds: Swap out almonds for walnuts or pecans. You can even use candied pecans if preferred.

How to Make Mandarin Orange Salad

Homemade orange salad dressing made with frozen orange juice concentrate and zest.
  1. Toss the salad. Add the spring mix, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and almonds to a large bowl and toss.
  2. Make the Orange Salad Dressing. Add all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until combined.
  3. Dress the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the spring mix mixture and toss until well coated. Serve.
Mandarin orange salad in a white bowl.

Variations

  • Any type of greens will work. I used spring mix, but arugula, kale or spinach all taste great.
  • Add sliced grilled chicken for more protein.
  • Occasionally I add pasta, similar to my mandarin spinach pasta salad recipe.
  • If limiting sugar, you can easily omit the dried cranberries.
  • Feel free to add more toppings like fresh shaved parmesan, pomegranates, green onions or sliced avocado.
Close up of mandarin orange salad in a bowl.

More salad recipes to try include beet salad with arugula and balsamic dressing, Caprese salad and Italian salad.

More Fresh Salads with Fruit

Mandarin orange salad with leafy greens, cranberries, and almonds, tossed in homemade orange dressing.

Mandarin Orange Salad

5 from 117 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Fresh, crisp, and full of flavor, this mandarin orange salad is topped with crunchy almonds and a homemade orange dressing. It's an easy way to add fresh color to any table!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 (10-ounce) bag spring mix (or spinach)
  • 1 (11-ounce) can can mandarin oranges
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds (can use walnuts or pecans as well)

Orange Dressing

  • ¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate (don't add water)
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
  • ½ Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss the spring mix, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and almonds until combined. 

Orange Dressing

  • In a mason jar, add 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate, 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 Tablespoon sugar, 1 Tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Shake until well combined. Add 1 teaspoon poppyseeds and shake just before serving.
  • Pour dressing over the salad. Toss until well coated. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variations: This recipe is easy to customize. Here are some over veggies you can toss in:
  • Sliced green onions
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Sliced avocado
  • Diced tomatoes
Storage: Store any extra dressing in airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Recipe adapted from Jane’s Favorite’s Cookbook.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.002g, Sodium: 112mg, Potassium: 296mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 936IU, Vitamin C: 43mg, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the orange salad dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, give it a shake to combine again, then drizzle on top of the salad before serving.

Can I make the dressing in a bowl instead of a jar?

Of course! Just whisk it really well to make sure the oil and vinegar emulsify. Give it a really good whisk before serving.

Can I use fresh mandarin oranges instead of canned?

Yes, just make sure they’re peeled, segmented, and any seeds or excess pith are removed.

What can I do with extra mandarin oranges?

I love adding them to desserts, like no-bake mandarin orange parfait, adding them to my rainbow honey lime fruit salad, or letting my kids snack on them if they need a fruity treat.