Make a delicious spinach salad with mandarin oranges for a bright, fresh flavor explosion. Add chopped smoky bacon, sweet and spicy pecans, dried cranberries, and feta cheese. Drizzle homemade maple dijon dressing and experience a balanced, flavorful salad.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Bright, Colorful Salad
- Homemade Maple Dijon Salad Dressing
- Gluten Free, and Low FODMAP Salad
Featured Ingredients
- Baby Spinach - A tender spinach packed with flavor.
- Thick Cut Bacon - Crumbled, cooked bacon adds a great salty, smoky flavor.
- Dried Cranberries - Grab a package of sweetened dried cranberries.
- Mandarin Oranges - Peeled sections of mandarin oranges add a juicy flavor.
- Feta Cheese - Crumbled cheese that brings tangy, creamy flavor to the salad.
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans - Chopped pecans with a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
- Homemade Maple Dijon Mustard Dressing - Make it in minutes and the perfect dressing for this salad.
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions.
Selected ingredients are based on guidance on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App at the time of publishing.
As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Before assembling the salad, cook and chop the bacon, make the homemade sweet and spicy pecans, and mix the maple dijon mustard dressing. This can be done up to four days in advance.
Step 1: In a large salad bowl, add fresh baby spinach, chopped bacon, dried cranberries, mandarin orange segments, feta cheese, and pecans. Pour over half of the dressing right before serving the salad. Toss the salad and serve.
Tips and Tricks
I love my salad spinner for quickly rinsing and spinning lettuce. I even store it in my refrigerator, with washed greens ready to go!
If the spinach leaves have long stems, remove them for a better look and eating experience.
Ingredient Swaps
- Lettuce Options: Use a spring lettuce mix, chopped romaine lettuce, or arugula.
- Bacon Options: For a lower-fat option, use turkey bacon.
- Fresh Fruit Options: Add sliced fresh strawberries or blueberries
- Nut Options: Use toasted pecans or toasted walnuts.
- Seed Options: Pepitas or sunflower seeds would be a great addition!
Variations
Spinach Salad with Chopped Chicken: For a complete main dish salad, add a cup of diced, cooked chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Spinach Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash: Add roasted delicata squash to the salad. It will add another vegetable.
Spinach Salad with Wild Rice: For a nutty, hearty option, add a cup of cooked wild rice blend. For an easy cooking method, use an Instant Pot!
FAQs
Can you tolerate fructans on a low FODMAP diet? If you have tested red onions and know your tolerance, add what your body can safely eat.
All of the toppings can be made in advance to save time for prep. The bacon can be cooked and chopped. The sweet and spicy pecans can be made and stored in an airtight container. The dressing can be mixed up days in advance. Just shake before using.
Yes! Alternatives like spring mix, arugula, or mixed salad greens work well. Just be mindful of their texture and flavor.
In moderate serving sizes, dried cranberries may be tolerated for some, but always check your personal tolerance and follow Monash guidelines.
Add cooked quinoa to turn this salad into a more filling main dish salad.
Storing
Store: Keep any assembled leftover salad in an airtight container. The spinach will wilt quickly after the dressing is added. Do not freeze leftovers.
Pro Tip: Keep the salad ingredients in separate containers and assemble salads just before eating.
Reader Love
"Love the sweet and salty pecans in the salad!!!"
- Clara
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Low FODMAP Notes
Low FODMAP ingredient information is based on the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App testing results as of the day posted. As always, modify based on your gut and what works for you on a low FODMAP diet.
- Baby Spinach - Safe at 1 ½ cups or 75 grams per meal.
- Thick Cut Bacon - Safe at 2 strips or 60 grams per meal.
- Dried Cranberries - Safe at 2 tablespoons or 22 grams per meal.
- Mandarin Oranges - Safe at 1 medium or 90 grams per meal.
- Feta Cheese - Safe at 3 tablespoons or 40 grams per meal.
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans - Make them homemade for a gluten free and low FODMAP option. Pecans have been tested safe at 15 nut halves or 30 grams per meal.
- Homemade Maple Dijon Mustard Dressing - Make a homemade dressing that is low FODMAP, gluten free, and dairy free.
For additional information on a low FODMAP diet, please visit Monash University or FODMAP Friendly. Both have websites and apps for additional guidance and testing results.
What To Serve With Spinach Salad
This spinach salad is perfect for a fall dinner party, served alongside oven-roasted pork tenderloin, colorful roasted vegetables, and pumpkin soup. The combination has all the flavors of the fall season, and it is delicious!
More Loveable Salad Recipes
- Broccoli Salad With Cranrasins - A tangy homemade dressing with broccoli, bacon, and carrots.
- Carrot Ribbon Salad - A crunchy carrot salad with a maple dijon dressing.
- Greek Salad - A flavorful Greek-inspired salad with a homemade tzatziki sauce.
- Taco Salad - A classic beef taco salad with a homemade western dressing.
Looking for additional side dish recipes? Discover something new or an old classic!
Love This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating + comment. It helps so much, and we love hearing from everyone! Thank You -Venessa
Recipe
Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges
Ingredients
- 16 ounces baby spinach (Note 1)
- 6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon cooked and chopped (Note 2)
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbles (Note 3)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 3 mandarins peeled and quartered
- 1 cup sweet and spicy pecans chopped
- 1 recipe maple dijon dressing
Instructions
- Rinse off the baby spinach. Pinch off any stems that seem too long.
One Bowl Instructions:
- In a large bowl, add the washed spinach, bacon, feta cheese, dried cranberries, peeled mandarins, and chopped sweet and spicy pecans.
- Pour the maple dijon dressing over it all, and reserve a bit for anyone who wants more dressing.
- Toss the salad until the dressing is coating the spinach. Serve.
Individual Salad Plate Instructions:
- In a large bowl, add as much baby spinach as needed. Drizzle a bit of dressing over the leaves. Toss until lightly coated.
- Each plate will have a serving of dressed spinach, and then a bit of each topping will be added. Keep toppings in separate containers and can serve tableside if anyone would like more of one thing versus the other.
Venessa Mandelkow says
I loved the juicy mandarin oranges on this salad!
Clara says
Love the sweet and salty pecans in the salad!!!
Venessa Mandelkow says
The pecans add such a great texture to this salad! Thanks for letting me know! - Venessa
Clara says
My favorite!