This Mandarin Orange Salad is a quick salad recipe that’s perfect for the holidays. It has a little bit of sweet, spicy, and a satisfying crunch from the candied pecans!
Learn How to make Candied Pecans with this simple tutorial! Also, you’ve gotta try this creamy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad!
Mandarin Orange Salad
This Mandarin Orange Cranberry Salad is a favorite in our family. We would always have this salad around the holidays. One, because it was so pretty and looked festive with the oranges, greens, and reds. But also, with all the heaviness of the holidays you gotta have a little “roughage” to help you get that stuff out. {if you know what I mean}
I’m pretty sure that I was addicted to this salad growing up and may have had my fair share of fork wars with family members to get that last bite. You will understand what I’m talking about when you try it. The mandarin oranges are definitely the star of this dish, in fact, we usually add a little more so that everyone can be sure to have 4-5 on their plate. Add in the sweetness from the dried cranberry, crunch from the candied pecans, and the sweet spicy dressing and you got yourself a winning salad. What’s your favorite holiday salad?
How to Make The Best Cranberry Salad Ever
To get started, in a small bowl mix 2 Tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 cup of vinegar, 3 dashes of Tabasco hot sauce {a couple more if you like it spicy like us}, salt, pepper, and 1 Tablespoon of dried Parsley.
Mix that together and then add 1/3 cup of canola oil. Whisk until completely combined. Set aside.
Place 6 oz. of fresh spring mix salad in a large bowl. Next add one drained 11 oz. can of mandarin oranges on top of the spring mix.
Slice 3 green onions into small pieces. {include the green part} Put on top of spring mix.
Top with 1/2 cup of candied pecans and 1/2 cup of craisins. {recipe for Candied Pecans}
Serve with dressing on the side.
Mandarin Orange Salad
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Bowl
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mandarin Orange Cranberry Salad is a quick recipe with the perfect balance of sweet and savory, plus a satisfying crunch from pecans!
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dry rosemary
- salt & pepper to taste
Mandarin Orange Salad:
- 6 oz. of spring mix
- 11oz. can of mandarin orange in orange juice, drained
- 1/2 cup of candied pecans
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup diced green onion
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Whisk until completely combined and emulsified. (oil and vinegar no longer separate)
- Assemble the Salad: To a large bowl add spring mix, mandarin oranges, cranberries, green onions, candied pecans and goat cheese.
- Serve with dressing on the side.
