Paraben Free Spinach Mandarin Almond Salad
This vibrant salad is a genuine crowd-pleaser — tender baby spinach, juicy mandarin oranges, and crunchy dry-roasted almonds come together in a bowl that looks as good as it tastes. The homemade dressing is where the real magic happens: fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, and a touch of grated ginger and turmeric create a bright, lightly spiced vinaigrette that ties every element together beautifully. For anyone navigating paraben concerns, one of the trickiest areas is bottled dressings and pre-made sauces, which can contain preservatives you'd rather avoid — making a dressing from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients is the cleanest solution. Everything here is straightforward and naturally free of the synthetic additives that show up in so many store-bought products. The thinly sliced red onion adds a gentle bite that balances the sweetness of the mandarins, and a handful of torn fresh mint leaves at the end lifts the whole dish with a cool, herby finish. It comes together in just a few minutes of whisking and tossing, making it an effortless choice for a light lunch or a stunning side at the dinner table.
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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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