Chef Sophie Laurent - Fresh Salad Specialist
👨‍🍳 Salad Expert

Recipe by Sarah Mitchell

🎓 Farm-to-Table Specialist ⏰ 14+ Years Experience 🍽️ Fresh Cuisine Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This salad was inspired by the abundance of citrus fruits in winter markets. The combination of sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy candied pecans, and tangy poppyseed dressing creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures."

Sophie specializes in fresh, seasonal salads and farm-to-table cuisine. She's passionate about combining fresh ingredients in unexpected ways to create memorable, healthy dishes.

View All Sarah Mitchell's Recipes →
Colorful mandarin orange salad with mixed greens, candied pecans, cranberries, and crumbled cheese, drizzled with poppyseed dressing

Building the Perfect Citrus Salad

Creating an exceptional mandarin orange salad is about balancing sweet, tart, and savory elements while providing varied textures in every bite. The sweet mandarin oranges provide the star flavor, while the candied pecans add crunch and richness. The tangy poppyseed dressing ties everything together beautifully.

The key to success lies in proper preparation and timing. Greens must be thoroughly washed and dried to prevent wilting, while the dressing should only be added just before serving to maintain the salad's crisp texture and vibrant appearance.

💡 Professional Tip

Soak sliced red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to remove the sharp bite while maintaining their crunch and mild onion flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Fresh mandarins are wonderful when in season. Peel and segment them, removing any seeds. You'll need about 3-4 medium mandarins to equal 2 cans.

Heat pecans with sugar and a pinch of salt in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar melts and coats the nuts. Cool on parchment paper.

You can prep all components separately up to 4 hours ahead, but only assemble and dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting.

Feta cheese, blue cheese crumbles, or even fresh mozzarella work well. For dairy-free options, try toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds for added richness.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Whisk or shake well before using as ingredients may separate naturally.

Yes! Add grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas. You could also include quinoa or wild rice to make it more filling while maintaining the fresh flavors.

Candied walnuts, toasted almonds, or even pine nuts are excellent alternatives. The key is having some crunch to contrast with the soft oranges and greens.

Thoroughly dry all washed greens, drain canned oranges well, and add dressing just before serving. Store components separately if making ahead.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Wilted Greens

Problem: Salad greens become wilted and soggy

Solution: Ensure greens are completely dry after washing, store in refrigerator until serving, and add dressing only at the last moment.

✅

Bitter Onion Flavor

Problem: Red onion tastes too sharp and overpowering

Solution: Slice onions thinner, soak in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This mellows the bite significantly.

✅

Dressing Too Thick

Problem: Poppyseed dressing is too thick to coat salad

Prevention: Thin with a tablespoon of water or additional vinegar. The dressing should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable.

✅

Pecans Not Crunchy

Problem: Candied pecans lose their crunch quickly

Recovery: Ensure pecans cool completely on parchment paper, store in airtight container, and add to salad just before serving.

✅

Unbalanced Flavors

Problem: Salad tastes flat or one-dimensional

Prevention: Adjust dressing acidity with more vinegar, add pinch of salt, or include more contrasting elements like dried cranberries or cheese.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more vinegar to dressing or include more red onion for sharpness

Too Salty: Add more honey to dressing or extra mandarin oranges to balance

Bland: Increase Dijon mustard in dressing, add more poppy seeds, or include fresh herbs like mint

Fresh salad ingredients including mixed greens, mandarin oranges, pecans, and poppyseed dressing ingredients arranged on a wooden cutting board

Selecting the Best Salad Ingredients

Quality ingredients make all the difference in this fresh salad. Choose a mix of greens with varying textures - tender butter lettuce, peppery arugula, and mild spinach create the perfect base. Avoid iceberg lettuce as it lacks flavor and nutritional value compared to these more interesting options.

When selecting mandarin oranges, look for cans packed in juice rather than heavy syrup to avoid overwhelming sweetness. If using fresh, choose fruits that feel heavy for their size and have bright, unblemished skin. The natural sweetness should balance beautifully with the tangy dressing.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Green Selection: Mix textures and flavors - combine mild greens like spinach with peppery arugula and buttery lettuce for complexity and visual appeal.
  • Mandarin Quality: Choose canned mandarins in juice, not syrup. For fresh, select fruits that give slightly when pressed and have vibrant orange color.
  • Cheese Considerations: Goat cheese provides creamy tanginess that complements citrus perfectly. Choose a soft, spreadable variety that crumbles easily.
Mandarin orange salad being assembled with greens, oranges, and candied pecans being combined in a large salad bowl

Mastering the Poppyseed Dressing

The poppyseed dressing is what elevates this salad from simple to spectacular. The combination of tangy vinegar, sweet honey, and creamy Dijon mustard creates a complex flavor profile, while the poppy seeds add both visual appeal and a subtle nutty crunch.

Proper emulsification is key to a smooth, cohesive dressing. Whisk vigorously or use a jar with a tight lid to shake all ingredients together. The dressing should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable - adjust consistency with additional oil or vinegar as needed.

Perfect Dressing Consistency

The ideal poppyseed dressing should be thick enough to cling to salad ingredients but thin enough to distribute evenly. Test by dipping a lettuce leaf - it should coat lightly without pooling.

Mandarin Orange Salad

Prep 15 min
Cook 10 min
Serves 6 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 60ml olive oil
    Base for smooth dressing
  • 30ml apple cider vinegar
    Tangy acidity balances sweetness
  • 15ml honey
    Natural sweetener and emulsifier
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
    Adds creaminess and tang
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds
    Signature flavor and texture
  • 1/4 tsp salt
    Enhances all flavors
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
    Subtle spice note

For the Poppyseed Dressing

  • 300g mixed salad greens
    Spinach, arugula, butter lettuce blend
  • 2 cans mandarin oranges
    Drained, packed in juice
  • 120g candied pecans
    Sweet, crunchy texture contrast
  • 60g dried cranberries
    Tart-sweet chewy element
  • 85g goat cheese, crumbled
    Creamy, tangy richness
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
    Sharp flavor accent
  • Fresh mint leaves
    Aromatic garnish

Instructions

  1. Make Candied Pecans

    In small skillet over medium heat, combine pecans with 2 tablespoons sugar and pinch of salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes until sugar melts and coats nuts. Spread on parchment paper to cool completely.

  2. Prepare Poppyseed Dressing

    In small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

  3. Prep Salad Components

    Wash and dry mixed greens thoroughly. Drain mandarin oranges well. Thinly slice red onion and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain and pat dry.

  4. Assemble the Salad

    In large serving bowl, combine mixed greens, drained mandarin oranges, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and sliced red onion. Crumble goat cheese over top.

  5. Dress and Serve

    Just before serving, drizzle poppyseed dressing over salad and toss gently to coat. Garnish with toasted almonds and fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately while greens are crisp.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store salad components separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble and dress just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness.

Make-Ahead Tips

Candied pecans can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container. Poppyseed dressing keeps for up to 1 week refrigerated.

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Perfect as a light lunch, elegant dinner party side, or holiday salad. Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, salmon, or pork tenderloin for a complete meal.