You will love the flavors in this Easy Mandarin Salad recipe! This Asian-inspired vinaigrette is bursting with flavors of ginger and soy sauce creating the perfect salty sweet combination to top your crispy salad.
Easy Mandarin Salad
I remember several years ago I would go through the drive-thru and order a mandarin chicken salad all the time. Back then I thought it was a healthy choice, and it probably was a little healthier than a lot of the foods I used to eat. Now I know that it was full of 25 grams of fat, 1260 mg of sodium (almost the recommended daily amount) and 31 grams of sugar or if you aren’t into metrics – nearly 8 teaspoons of sugar!
It’s easy to think that ordering a salad is the healthiest choice and sometimes it is, however more often than not, the add-ons will get you in trouble. The salad dressing is almost always unhealthy and full of chemicals to keep it fresh and emulsified. Cheese and croutons will pack on fat and calories without offering much nutrition.
I do believe that even though fast food salads are packed with hidden fat, sodium, and chemicals, they can be a better choice than burgers or chicken sandwiches. At the very least you are getting a little bit of nutrition with the addition of vegetables, but you have to be wise and leave off those extras that pack on calories.
Now that I know better, I created this Easy Mandarin Salad and I think it’s better than the original!
It’s fresh,
crunchy
tangy
salty and sweet
and just plain – delicious!
Easy Mandarin Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine
- 2 cups kale or other salad greens
- 1 can mandarin oranges drained, reserve liquid
- 1/2 cup snow peas chopped
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup crispy noodles non-gmo
Mandarin Salad dressing
- 4 tbsp oil
- 4 tbsp reserved mandarin orange juice
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp agave
- 1 tsp vegan mayo
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp garlic
If you like this salad, you are going to love these recipes:
Asian Broccoli Salad [FoodFaithFitness]
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad [TheThrivingVegan]
Amazing Asian Salad [IntentionallyEat]
Did you make this recipe?
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Cindy
I love new meal salads! During the summer I don’t really like heavy meals but I still want something healthy and filling for my family. This would be perfect!
This looks absolutely delicious! It’s so summery and refreshing… not to mention being very healthy!
I’ve never been a big fan of a lot of fruit in salads, but just oranges sounds pretty good! I usually try to get a salad when we are out because I feel like it’s better than the other crap, but also know it’s still not great.
You’re right Stephanie, salads at restaurants aren’t necessarily the healthiest choice, but this salad is. My hubby isn’t a “fruit in salad lover” either, but he loves it in this one!
Mandarin oranges are everything in our house! I will have to make this soon.
I love that recipe, it’s fresh, healthy, and delicious. You got a new follower
Thanks Marjie!
Oh that looks so tasty and I love the idea of adding in the mandarin orange! I bet that adds such a lovely sweet touch!
This looks so delicious! My kids love mandarin oranges so this is sure to be a hit! Cannot wait to try it with them.
I bet they love it April!
I’ve never tried mandarin oranges in my salad! I’ve had cranberries but never oranges. Definitely need to try it 🙂
I love a refreshing salad. I think this combo of sweet and salty will be satisfying and delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Wow! I love this kind of salad looks healthy and yummy! 🙂
I am not a good cook but I am a big salad lover. I think even I can make this! Will pin it and try it soon!
This is amazing, i like how its coloful and it must be delicious for sure. Definitely worth a try, thank you for sharing because these is like one of my favorite stuff to eat.
I love how fresh and fruity this dish looks. Would make a great dinner party starter x