Gelatin Free Spinach Mandarin Almond Salad
Bright, refreshing, and packed with color, this spinach salad is the kind of dish that looks like it came from a restaurant but comes together in minutes with zero fuss. Juicy mandarin oranges bring a sweet citrus pop against the earthy baby spinach, while dry-roasted almonds add satisfying crunch in every bite. The homemade dressing is where things really shine — olive oil, fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and a pinch of turmeric create a vibrant, lightly spiced vinaigrette that ties everything together beautifully. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from animal-derived gelling agents, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out. Torn fresh mint leaves scattered over the top are optional, but they add a cool, herby finish that takes the whole bowl up a notch. This is an ideal salad for entertaining or a quick weeknight side — it's simple enough for any skill level and impressive enough to earn serious compliments.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 2 cans (11 oz each) mandarin oranges, drained
- ½ cup dry-roasted almonds, roughly chopped
- ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, grated ginger, turmeric, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- 2
Add the baby spinach, drained mandarin oranges, chopped almonds, and sliced red onion to a large salad bowl.
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