Mandarin Orange and Apple Salad Recipe

Side shot of one serving of Mandarin Orange & Apple Salad on a bed of romaine lettuce.

5 from 5 votes

Fresh and easy Mandarin Orange and Apple Salad with crisp apples, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy celery, and toasted walnuts tossed in a creamy lemon-mayo dressing. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, snacks, or dessert. Refreshing and full of flavor, it's your new favorite fruit salad recipe!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fruit salad, fruit salad with creamy dressing, winter fruit salad

Servings: salads

Calories: 146kcal

Author: Mindy Boyd

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

Notes

Keep the salad and dressing separate in the fridge. Use airtight containers and enjoy within a few days.

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Nutritional information is approximate.

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Nutrition