This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This refreshing Orange Salad is bursting with flavor and sure to turn heads at any table!
It’s a vibrant dish featuring tart pomegranate arils, fresh mint, five-minute candied almonds, and a zesty honey lime vinaigrette.
Serve the dish as a light lunch or as a side salad any time of year. Alternatively, pair it with your favorite protein, these garlicky potatoes, and my easy focaccia to impress friends and family at your next dinner party!
The best part about this dish is that you can easily prep it in advance. It’s a family favorite everyone is sure to love.
Orange Salad Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Oranges: Firm Naval oranges are best for this recipe.
- Pomegranate: You only need half a pomegranate. Store the rest in the fridge to top onto your breakfast or enjoy as a snack.
- Red onion: I only use half a small red onion, but adjust as you please. You can soak chopped red onion in cold water for 15 minutes to mellow its flavor.
- Fresh mint: Chop the leaves finely or use whole leaves.
- Almonds, sugar, and water: Cook together in a pan for 5 minutes for the most delicious candied nuts. Adds crunch and sweetness.
- Olive oil, honey, lime juice, sea salt & pepper: Combine for a sweet and zesty dressing.
How to Make an Orange Salad
- Prepare the ingredients. Slice the oranges and cut away the peel. Make the candied almonds, deseed the pomegranate, chop the mint and onion.
- Arrange the salad on a platter.
- Make the salad dressing and pour it on top.
Recipe Tip
If you cut the pomegranate and deseed it in a bowl of cold water, you can limit the staining from the fruit juice.
Possible Variations
- Oranges: Use a combination of citrus fruits. Blood oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, etc, would all be delicious options.
- Pomegranate: Try dried cranberries or raisins.
- Red onion: Shallots or white onion are great alternatives.
- Lime juice: If you’re out of lime, try orange juice, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh mint: Opt for other fresh herbs such as chopped coriander, parsley, green onions, or basil.
- Candied almonds: Swap for pecan nuts, walnuts, or hazelnuts. You can use plain pumpkin seeds, too.
- Edible flowers: Use pansies, chamomile, or lavender to add a finishing touch.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. It will only get better, soaking in all the flavors. However, wait to top with the candied almonds until you are ready to serve (you want them to be crispy).
Keep them in a glass container in the fridge and enjoy within 1-2 days.
Try it with chicken, fish, or a steak. It’s a refreshing dish that pairs well with most meals any time of the year.
If you omit the red onion and olive oil, and add red grapes or blueberries, you can make a delightful citrusy fruit salad!
More Vibrant Salads
- Tomato Caprese Salad
- Prosciutto Melon Salad
- Melon Feta Salad
- Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Tuna Cottage Cheese Salad
Orange Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Candied almonds
- 50 grams almonds
- 25 grams granulated sugar
- 25 ml water
Salad
- 3 oranges
- 1/4 pomegranate, deseeded
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
Honey lime dressing
- 15 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lime, small, juiced
- 25 ml honey
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
Candied nuts
- Heat a medium-sized pan on medium-high heat.
- Add the almonds, sugar, and water, and mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until the water evaporates and the sugar starts to look dry.
- Soon, the sugar will melt, and when the almonds all start to look shiny, the candied nuts are done.
- Drop the nuts onto parchment paper. Use the wooden spoon to spread them out and let them cool.
Dressing
- Mix lime juice, olive oil, honey, sea salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
Orange salad
- Roughly chop the candied nuts.
- Slice the oranges thinly.
- Trim the peel off each slice.
- Arrange the orange slices on a platter.
- Top with pomegranate arils, mint, red onion, and candied nuts.
To assemble
- Spoon the vinaigrette over the salad.
- Serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
