Sesame Free Spinach Mandarin Almond Salad
Bright, juicy mandarin oranges meet tender baby spinach and crunchy dry-roasted almonds in a salad that feels both refreshing and satisfying. The homemade dressing is where the magic really happens — a citrusy blend of fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, and a hint of ginger and turmeric that tastes far more complex than the few minutes it takes to whisk together. Salad dressings are one of the sneakiest places sesame hides, whether as tahini, sesame oil, or toasted seeds, so making your own from scratch with these clean, straightforward ingredients is a genuinely smart move. Every component here is naturally free of sesame, so there's no swapping or substituting required — just honest, whole ingredients doing their thing. The thinly sliced red onion adds a gentle bite that balances the sweetness of the oranges, and a handful of torn fresh mint lifts the whole bowl with a cool, herby finish. Toss it together right before serving and it comes together in minutes, making it an easy win for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing addition to any spread.
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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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