Mandarin Orange Salad Bowl with Citrus Vinaigrette

Quick and easy Mandarin orange salad made from simple ingredients in one bowl in about 10 minutes. Bright citrus dressing, tender spinach and arugula, chewy dried cranberries, and a hint of poppy seeds make this a refreshing summer salad.

This salad is perfect for warm-weather meals—its juicy mandarins add color and vibrant flavor to any table. If you love fruit-forward salads, try similar one-bowl options this season to vary your menu.

How To Make Mandarin Orange Salad From Scratch

1. Make the dressing – In a bowl whisk together the orange juice concentrate, olive oil, orange zest, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt and pepper until smooth.
2. Toss the salad – Combine spring greens (spinach, lettuce, arugula), drained mandarin oranges and dried cranberries in a large bowl.
3. Serve – Dress and toss the salad just before serving for best texture.

What To Serve With This Salad

This mandarin salad pairs beautifully with grilled dishes—grilled chicken, pork chops, steak, fish, burgers or sausages. It also complements braised or roasted meats and is an excellent side for sandwiches. For a vegetarian meal, serve with quesadillas, a vegetable pasta, or a creamy avocado pasta.

Mandarin Orange Salad Dressing (Citrus Poppy Seed)

Whisk the following ingredients. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or use right away.

• 1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate (or fresh orange juice; concentrate gives stronger flavor)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Variations and Add-Ins

Mandarin chicken salad – Add shredded leftover or rotisserie chicken for a heartier main-dish salad.

Different greens – Swap or mix in kale, butter lettuce, or other salad greens.

Nuts – Toasted pine nuts, cashews, pecans, almonds or walnuts add crunch; candied nuts lend sweetness.

Other dried fruit – Dried cherries, blueberries, raisins, apricots, or mango work well.

Fresh fruit additions – Grapes add sweetness; grapefruit provides a tart contrast to mandarins.

Cheese – Crumbled gorgonzola, goat cheese, or shaved Parmesan bring creaminess and depth.

Bacon – Crisp bacon adds a salty, smoky counterpoint to the sweet fruit.

Extra vegetables – Finely diced celery, cucumber, or thinly sliced red onion can enhance texture and flavor.

Alternate zests – Try lemon, lime, or grapefruit zest to vary the citrus profile.

Tips and Techniques

Fresh vs. canned mandarins – Both work. Canned mandarins are convenient; drain them well to avoid sogginess.

Poppy seeds – Omit if you prefer a smoother dressing.

Quality oil – Use a good extra-virgin olive oil for the best dressing flavor.

Orange juice – Concentrate offers a bolder orange flavor, but fresh juice is fine if you prefer it.

Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the dressing more than bottled.

Serve quickly – Toss with dressing and serve immediately for optimal texture.

Adjust sweetness – Add more or less honey (or maple/agave) to suit your taste; different sweeteners will subtly change the flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate – This salad is best fresh. Leftovers will become soggy if dressed. Store the salad components and dressing separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, then combine before serving.

Freeze – Do not freeze the assembled salad; it will lose texture. You can freeze the dressing in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw before use.

More Fruit Salad Ideas

• Easy Kale Salad (One Bowl)
• Christmas Salad (One Bowl)
• Thanksgiving Salad (One Bowl)
• Harvest Fall Salad (One Bowl)

Recipe