Mandarin Orange Salad with Peanut Dressing

Bright, zesty, and packed with irresistible crunch, this Mandarin Orange Salad with Peanut Dressing is a vibrant fusion of fresh vegetables, sweet citrus, and a creamy, tangy peanut butter dressing. Featuring a colorful mix of baby spinach, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy mandarin oranges, and crunchy roasted peanuts, this salad is elevated by the bold flavors of a homemade dressing made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and lime juice. It's a quick 20-minute recipe perfect for busy weeknights or a refreshing side dish for your next gathering. Serve this nutrient-packed salad as a light main course or pair it with your favorite protein for a more substantial meal. Perfectly balanced and uniquely satisfying, this salad is sure to become a new favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup mandarin oranges (canned or fresh, peeled)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned or shredded
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the baby spinach and romaine lettuce. Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces and set aside along with the spinach.

Step 2

In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, romaine, mandarin oranges, red bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro.

Step 3

In a small mixing bowl, prepare the peanut dressing by whisking together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, water, lime juice, and minced garlic until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with a little more water if needed.

Step 4

Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary (e.g., add a pinch of salt or a dash of honey for sweetness).

Step 5

Drizzle the peanut dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 6

Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts on top of the salad for added crunch and flavor.

Step 7

Serve immediately as a fresh side dish or a light main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1274.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1708.2

Total Fat 115.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2092.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 136.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.1g	0%
Total Sugars 69.8g
Protein 66.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 575.2mg	0%
Iron 15.2mg	0%
Potassium 3220.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.0%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 29.6%