This sugared almond and mandarin orange green salad with sweet and sour dressing has been a family favorite for years. Sweet mandarin orange slices and crisp, sugary almonds with the addition of crunchy, salty celery makes this green salad a kid and husband pleaser. A simple sweet and sour vinaigrette puts this green salad over the top!
It's been a long time since I made this tasty green salad with sweet and sour dressing and I'm not sure why I ever stopped.
It's always been a crowd pleaser and is so simple to put together. Way back, when when I wondered if my kids would ever eat a fresh green salad, I came upon this recipe.
This is a popular green salad recipe and I bet you've had a version of it.
Maybe I knew the kids would love anything with mandarin oranges straight from the can.
After all, I remember dumping orange slices onto their high chair trays and watching them carefully pick up each slice, one by one, and plop them into their mouths.
Mandarin oranges were a special treat for them and for me too, because it meant I didn't have to peel an orange!
And just to show you how much I love Mandarin Oranges this is another one of my favorite salads.
Why I Love This Simple Green Salad
My kids were great eaters and I really didn't have many problems with their habits. Zoe was always cautious about not eating anything spicy and Alex had to watch his lactose intake, but other than that I was a lucky mom with kids that were easy to please.
We had one rule which required two bites of everything, because it was magic that made one's tastes change. If one didn't taste, the magic wouldn't happen.
Alex and Zoe actually believed this and they were always waiting to see when the magic would work.
I can truly remember them saying their tastes did change when all of a sudden they discovered that something they didn't like, became something they did.
Yes, these are part of my memories that make me love this green salad with sweet and sour dressing.
Ingredients Needed For This Delicious Salad
- Sliced almonds or use the nuts of your choice
- Sugar is needed to candy the almonds
- Romaine lettuce- I love this green lettuce for its crunch
- Butter Lettuce-This soft lettuce is a great contrast to the Romaine
- Celery-You'd be surprised to see how celery adds saltiness and crunch. This green salad isn't the same without celery.
- Green onions, chopped fine
- Mandarin oranges, drained-These make this salad so special, along with the candied nuts.
Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing
- Salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste
- Olive oil
- Italian parsley- adds a great fresh flavor
- Sugar
- Red wine or apple cider vinegar
Make This Amazing Mandarin Orange Salad
The hardest part about making this salad is sugaring the almonds.
My advice? Do not leave the stove while sugaring the almonds!
Just cook the almonds and sugar over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved., stirring all the time.
It will seem like nothing is happening, but then magically it will!
Wash and dry your lettuce.
Pro Tip: I wrap my lettuce in paper towels and store it in the fridge until ready to use. This chills the lettuce and the paper towels whisk away the moisture.
Chop the celery and green onions and open the can of Mandarin oranges. Drain and dry well.
Make The Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing
Pro Tip: Double the recipe so you will have more for later. Store in a covered container in the fridge.
This easy to make sweet and sour salad dressing is made by combining all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shaking.
Or just whisk them together in a measuring cup.
Variations for this salad:
Don't have Mandarin Oranges? Use mangoes or fresh peaches.
Top with feta cheese.
Chicken or shrimp work so well with this green salad recipe-especially if you want to make it a main course.
Add croutons. Everyone loves croutons.
Pecans or walnuts or even macadamias are a great change from almonds.
Leftover hard boiled eggs? Chop them up and sprnkle on top.
Today we are talking about something as simple as sweet oranges out of a can.
Combined with green celery and a few green onions and yeah...the magic of sugared almonds, this salad is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
The sweet and sour red wine vinaigrette/dressing is great on most any salad so make sure you don't just use it on this green people pleaser.
Perfect on just a head lettuce salad, it is one vinaigrette that is easy and quick to make.
I even used some on cole slaw the other night and just stirred a bit of mayonnaise in to thicken it.
Make a lot because it keeps in the fridge quite awhile.
Enjoy this green salad.
The combination of crunchy , tangy and sweet is really quite a showstopper.
This classic salad is one you will never tire of!
Want More Salad Recipes?
Iceberg Lettuce Salad with Easy Italian Dressing
Mixed Greens with Pomegranates, Pistachios and Pears
Spinach Salad with Za'atar, Dates and Almonds
I'd love to hear if you make this recipe!
Please share a review or rate the recipe,
and be sure to tag me on social!
Recipe
Mandarin Orange Green Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Yield: 4 - 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ingredients
- ½ c sliced almonds
- 3 T sugar
- ½ head Romaine lettuce
- ½ head Butter Lettuce
- 1 c sliced, chopped celery
- 4 green onions, chopped fine
- 1 11 oz can Mandarin oranges, drained
Sweet and Sour Vinaigrette
- ½ t salt
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- ¼ c olive oil
- 1 T chopped Italian parsley
- 2 T sugar
- 2 T red wine or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a small skillet over medium heat, cook almonds and sugar, stirring constantly until almonds are coated and sugar has dissolved. This burns easily, so stir constantly. It may take about 10 minutes, depending on the heat of your burner. Cool almonds. (These may also be made ahead and stored for future use.)
- Combine lettuce, celery and onions in a large bowl. (If you want to make ahead, I always line the bowl with a paper towel. Add the lettuce. Cover the top of the bowl with a paper towel and store in the fridge until ready to use. Add chopped celery and green onions before serving.)
- Combine all dressing ingredients together. Shake or whisk until sugar is dissolved. Chill until ready to toss salad.
- When ready to serve add almonds and oranges and toss with the dressing. (This is also great with feta cheese, or slices of chicken if you choose to make this a main course.)
2 Sisters Recipes says
This looks amazing! We love butter lettuce but can’t find it here in the South , only during the summer months.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Good to see this one return -- so colorful and flavorful, at the time of year when we need both. Thanks!
Abbe says
So right John. Seems when the season changes its not quite time for all my favorite fruits but these little gems mixed with simple ingredients sure does hit the spot.
sherry says
i like the sound of this salad but i would leave out all the sugar. it just seems like a heck of a lot to me, and you already have the sweetness of the mandarins.
Abbe says
Feel free to leave out the sugar Sherry, but then it wouldn't be a sweet and sour dressing. Kind of just a sour dressing. But hey! To each his or her own.
Carol Goss says
I buy mandarin oranges by the case. I love fruit in green salad. If nothing else, look at the color it brings???? Often the surprise factor too. But what is ringing my chimes in this salad is the sugared almonds. Talk about a pleasant surprise to the mouth!
mjskit says
I love winter for all of the wonderful citrus. It all seems to work great in salads and I do love this salad. Those sugared almonds are a great addition!
Sippity Sup says
My mom used to make a similar salad. I don't think her almonds were candied though. But I am sure she used mandarin slices from a can. I haven't tasted them in years, but as a kid they were a top 10 food for sure. GREG
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I friggin' adore butter lettuce! It's silky smooth and just crisp and wonderful! The best leafy green there is!!!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
THis salad looks beautiful and healthy! Thanks for the sharing Abbe!
Juliana says
Delicious looking salad Abbe, and I am loving the sugared almonds...I always like a touch of sweet in salads...
Have a great week 🙂
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
That fresh lettuce looks so gorgeous. Such a healthy delicious and filler salad. Love the addition of sugared nuts here.
HADIA ZEBIB says
Sounds really like somthing I would love Abbe!I so much like candied nuts in my salads! Pinning!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
What a lovely winter salad. It looks delicious and the nuts are a perfect touch!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
The color of that lettuce is gorgeous. Butter lettuce is always my choice when it's available. Pinning this one. Great sounding salad.
Chris Scheuer says
You're right this is the kind of salad everyone loves (well, most everyone). It's beautiful too!
Angie Schneider says
I love to use spiced or candied nuts in my salads too. This winter salad looks so fresh and delicious.
Kitchen Riffs says
Neat salad. I crave citrus at this time of the year, and this is a nice way to get it. But do I need a highchair to eat this? 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Very funny, Mr. Riffs. I still have two in the attic, in case you want to borrow one. I'm sure they probably aren't up to code any more!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Beautiful salad Abbe, those mandarin slices are a family favorite here too, this dish has it all with the sweet, salty and wonderful crunch. Hope your having a wonderful 2017!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Mandarins always seems to make anything feel special! You to Cheri!
Liz Berg says
Ooh, yes! This combination sounds lovely! I know I'd need to make some extra almonds for snacking 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Good suggestion Liz! Double the amount of almonds so you have extra for snacking! Love it!
Gingi Freeman says
This looks soooo yummy! Thanks for sharing! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Abbe Odenwalder says
Any time Gingi!