Nightshade Free Spinach Mandarin Almond Salad
Bright, refreshing, and packed with texture, this spinach salad is the kind of dish that looks impressive 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 citrus dressing — built on olive oil, fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of honey — ties everything together with a light, tangy sweetness that store-bought dressings rarely match. A hint of grated ginger and ground turmeric give the dressing a subtle warmth and gorgeous golden color without relying on any nightshade-family ingredients like paprika or cayenne. For anyone navigating a nightshade-free lifestyle, salads can feel like a minefield of hidden peppers and tomato-based dressings, but every single component here is naturally in the clear. Torn fresh mint scattered over the top is optional, but it adds a cool, herby finish that really elevates the whole bowl. Toss it right before serving and enjoy it as a light lunch or a stunning side at your next dinner.
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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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