Lactose Free Spinach Mandarin Almond Salad
Bright, refreshing, and packed with color, this spinach salad is the kind of dish that looks like it took serious effort but comes together in minutes. Sweet mandarin oranges play beautifully against the peppery baby spinach, while dry-roasted almonds add a satisfying crunch in every bite. The homemade dressing is where the real magic happens — a citrusy blend of olive oil, fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, and turmeric that's completely dairy-free by nature, no substitutions needed. Thinly sliced red onion gives it a little sharpness that balances the sweetness, and a handful of torn fresh mint lifts the whole thing into something that feels genuinely special. Because every component here is naturally free of lactose, there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — just whisk, toss, and serve. It works as a light lunch on its own or as a vibrant side alongside grilled proteins. If you're tired of salads that feel like an afterthought, this one is a serious upgrade.
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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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