Mandarin Apple Salad Recipe
This Mandarin Apple Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines crisp romaine lettuce with sweet mandarins, crunchy apples, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish for any occasion.
- Author: Maya Quinn
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Salad:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce
- 1–2 medium apples, chopped (keep in lemon water to prevent browning)
- 3–4 seedless mandarins, peeled and separated
- ½ small red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup walnuts (optional)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
For the Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ½ cup sugar
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Prepare the Salad: Wash, chop, and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce. Transfer it to a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the Fruits: Peel and separate the mandarins. Chop the apples into ½-inch pieces. If not serving immediately, place the apples in a small bowl with lemon water to prevent browning. Drain and add to the salad just before serving.
- Add Ingredients: Add the red onion, walnuts, and dried cranberries to the salad.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, olive oil, salt, and balsamic vinegar to make the vinaigrette.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, toss gently to coat evenly, and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mandarin Apple Salad, salad recipe, apple salad, healthy salad, balsamic vinaigrette