Description
A bright and crunchy salad featuring tender baby spinach, juicy mandarins, crunchy nuts, and tangy feta, dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Gather and prep your ingredients. Wash and spin-dry the fresh spinach so leaves stay crisp. Thinly slice the red onion and drain the mandarin oranges in a colander to remove excess syrup. Chop the nuts if they are whole.
- Place the spinach in a large salad bowl. Add the drained mandarin oranges, sliced red onion, and chopped nuts. Gently fold the ingredients together using salad tongs or two large spoons so the fruit stays intact.
- This salad does not require cooking. For extra depth of flavor, you can toast the pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned. Let them cool before adding to the salad.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat the leaves. Top with crumbled feta cheese just before serving so it stays creamy and visible.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day for best texture. If storing longer, keep dressing separate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg