Colorful Green Salad Recipe with Mandarin Orange Dressing

Learn how to make a beautiful and tasty tossed salad that works equally well for impressing guests or delicious everyday meals.

Jenny's colorful everyday vegetarian salad recipe in a stainless steel bowl

Here’s a colorful green salad recipe with a mandarin orange dressing that is full of delicious flavor!

Throw in any or all of your favorite veggies!

Vegan Salad Recipe

This yummy recipe is from my friend Jenny. Vegan is Jenny’s jam. This salad is a vegetarian dream. There’s a little bit of everything healthy going on here.

But for me, gimme a side of animal protein, too, please. Fortunately, this green salad works both ways. It stands alone beautifully but would pair with just about anything.

Salad for a Party

This rainbow-colored salad is perfect for a party, potluck, or hosting of any kind.

It’s a great salad for guests because you can get creative and customize it as you plate it, and it’s a showstopper.

Serve the salad alone, with croissants or bread, or add a protein on the side, such as grilled chicken, steak, or ribs.

Eating Salads Every Day

If you prefer a low-maintenance life as I do, assemble the salad for yourself on the weekend and enjoy it for lunch or dinner all week.

No cooking is required, just a little chopping. I use this vegetable chopper to make it fast and easy. (affiliate link)

How to Make Salads Healthy

The easiest way to make them healthier is by adding more vegetables, keeping your salad dressing light and clean, and minimizing sugar or unhealthy additives.

Salads are an excellent and delicious strategy for getting healthier. 

According to Nutritional Weight and Wellness of St Paul, Minnesota, you should eat five to nine cups of vegetables each day. A salad is a great way to accomplish this.

The benefits are outstanding; vegetables lower heart disease risk, help prevent cancer, and support you in maintaining a healthy weight, to name a few. 

Vegetable Choppers

One of Jenny’s secret salad ingredients is in her kitchen equipment.

She uses this awesome chopper to make easy and fast work out of what could be a very time-consuming task.

It’s available on Amazon, and it’s an investment, but I saw it in action, and I ordered one very similar. (affiliate links below) I am listing three that get great reviews.

There is something about chopping that I dread, so this definitely makes it more fun! And FAST!

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper

Mueller Pro Vegetable Chopper

Hand Vegetable Chopper

Okay, let’s get started. Here’s what you will need for the salad recipe:

Salad Ingredients

Here’s what Jenny tossed in her salad today. Starting at the top of the plate below, going clockwise:

Veggie Selections

Romaine Lettuce (for the salad base)
Red Onion
Yellow Pepper
Red Pepper
Orange Pepper
Cucumber
Carrots
Feta
Pecans

Dressing Ingredients

Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Garlic
Mandarin oranges
Salt and Pepper

Additional Extras

This salad is so easy to customize. Below are additional ideas to make it your own:

Nuts

Pistachios
Walnuts
Cashews
Dried Cranberries

Cheese

Blue Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Goat Cheese

Additional Veggies

Avocado
Broccoli
Jicama
Tomatoes

Beans

Garbanzo Beans
Black Beans
Northern White Beans

Print
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Jenny’s Everyday Salad


  • Author: Cindy Munson
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Here’s a delicious salad, that is just beautiful, perfect on its own for hosting friends, complementing a dinner with the family, or for your very own daily dose of vegetables.


Ingredients

Scale

Dressing
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 tablespoon juice of one plastic container of mandarin oranges

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Salad
Your choice of:

Lettuce

Vegetables

Nuts


Instructions

Dressing
Whisk first 4 dressing ingredients together. Season with salt and pepper.

Salad
Choose what you love and take advantage of what is in season. Customize the salad, using your favorite lettuce, vegetables, and nuts. Ideas might include spinach, arugula or spring mix. Add sliced red onion, peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Gently fold in tomatoes and mandarin orange slices. and cheese of your choice. Top with pecans, Craisins, beets, and cheese of your choice.

Notes

Store dressing and salad ingredients separately in the refrigerator so you can enjoy all week long.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Salads
  • Method: Assembly
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salad recipe, Romaine Lettuce, Dressing Ingredients, Balsamic vinegar, Mandarin oranges, Everyday, Easy, Entertaining

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Vegan Salad Ideas

Below are two more delicious vegan salad recipes you should try on the site. These are 2 of my top 10 go-to summer salads!

Summer Spinach Salad
Zoodle Salad with Thai Peanut Sauce

More Healthy Recipes

Find more nutritious and wholesome recipe ideas below.

Spinach Quiche with Sundried Tomatoes
Chocolate and Banana Protein Shake
Gluten-Free Banana Bread

I hope you will make one of these delicious salads to enjoy or make for your next gathering with friends! If you do, please let me know in the comment box below.

Wishing you spectacular SALAD days ahead,
xo,
Cindy

References

Nutritional Weight and Wellness, St. Paul, Minnesota

Eat more vegetable article

Eating vegetable tips

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