Mandarin Orange & Apple Salad couldn’t be easier! The tartness of the mandarin oranges, the sweetness of the apple, the crispness of the celery, and the crunchy walnuts, combined with the creamy dressing and the bright zip of lemon zest and juice, give this salad a delightful mix of flavors and textures. It’s a party in your mouth with every bite!
This Makes the Perfect Winter Salad
The ingredients for this Mandarin Orange & Apple Salad are easy to find year-round, making it a go-to option when other fresh fruit may be out of season.
The combination of sweet mandarin oranges, crisp apples, and crunchy celery gives it a refreshing texture, while the creamy, zesty dressing ties all the flavors together perfectly.
If you love fruit salads as much as we do, this one is just the beginning! You might also enjoy our Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing or Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Honey Dressing.
Both are easy to make, bursting with flavor, and perfect any time of year. These salads work beautifully for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, snacks, or even dessert, making them a versatile addition to your menu.
This post was originally published in July 2016 and updated in December 2025 with more detail, clearer instructions and fresh, new photos.
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Ingredient Photo: Mandarin Orange Salad
Ingredient Notes
- Mandarin Oranges: Sweet and juicy, they give a refreshing pop of flavor. I discard the juice for this recipe so you can use fresh mandarin orange slices if you prefer.
- Apple: Crisp and slightly tart; toss with lemon juice to keep it from browning. Any variety works, but I love Envy or Honeycrisp because they’re usually large and flavorful.
- Celery: Adds crunch and balances the sweetness of the fruit.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and helps prevent the apple from turning brown.
- Low-Fat Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy, light dressing without being heavy. Full-fat mayonnaise works too if that’s what you have on hand.
- Low-Fat Milk: Thins the dressing slightly for perfect drizzling.
- Sugar: Just a touch to add sweetness and enhance the flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a fresh, citrusy note to the dressing.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Complements the zest for extra brightness.
- Chopped Walnuts: Adds crunch and a nutty finish. Pecans or almonds are also great alternatives.
- Lettuce Leaves: Optional for serving and makes the salad look fancy. You can use romaine lettuce, or any fresh greens you like.
How to Make Mandarin Orange and Apple Salad
Here’s a quick look at the steps (with photos). You’ll find more detailed instructions with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
Add the chopped apple to a bowl and toss with lemon juice, then add the oranges and celery and mix together.
Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Serve on a bed of lettuce on individual plates or on one bigger platter.
How to Serve This Delicious Mandarin Orange Salad
For a pretty presentation, serve this salad on a bed of fresh lettuce. You can portion it out on individual plates or a platter with lettuce leaves under, or simply serve it in a large bowl—or even in individual bowls without lettuce. Either way, it’s fresh, colorful, and always a hit! I always serve the dressing on the side so everyone can use as much, or as little, as they like.
Serve this Mandarin Orange & Apple Salad for breakfast or brunch with Chile Rellenos Casserole or Bisquick Sausage Breakfast Casserole. It also pairs beautifully with lunch or dinner mains like Air Fryer Cube Steak or Country-Style Ribs, alongside sides such as macaroni salad or potato salad.
Storage
Keep the salad and dressing separate in the fridge. Use airtight containers and enjoy within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Use vegan mayo and a plant-based milk. The flavor and texture will still be great.
Definitely. If you need a nut-free version, skip the walnuts or use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
Sure! Both sour cream and Greek yogurt make great substitutes for mayonnaise. They add a tangy flavor that complements the citrus and apples. Because they’re thicker and more tart than mayo, you may want to thin the dressing a little more by increasing the milk and add a little extra sugar to balance the flavors. For a creamy, well-balanced dressing, you can even mix ½ mayo with ½ sour cream or Greek yogurt.
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Mandarin Orange and Apple Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 can drained mandarin oranges 11 ounces
- 1 apple
- ½ cup celery
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
For the dressing
- ⅓ cup low-fat mayonnaise
- ¼ cup low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- lettuce leaves to serve salad on if desired, but not necessary
Instructions
- Prep the fruit and celery: Chop the apple and celery. In a medium bowl, toss the apple with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to keep it from browning. Add the drained mandarin oranges and celery, and gently stir to combine.1 can drained mandarin oranges, 1 apple, ½ cup celery, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. This zesty dressing brings all the flavors together perfectly.⅓ cup low-fat mayonnaise, ¼ cup low-fat milk, 1 teaspoon sugar, zest of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Assemble the salad: You have two options for serving:Individual plates: Place lettuce leaves on 4 salad plates and portion the fruit mixture on top.Single serving bowl: Place the fruit mixture in a serving bowl.Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad and sprinkle with chopped walnuts for a crunchy finish. Serve immediately, or store the dressing and fruit salad separately and chill for a refreshing, make-ahead side dish.2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, lettuce leaves
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it!
I love that in summer you have all of these amazing fruits that you can throw together to create something magical!
Great post!
I do eat more fruit salads in the summer because they are great to make ahead, especially for grilling. Thanks for stopping by!