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Kale Mandarin Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and citrusy mix of tender kale, mandarins, croutons, and a zesty Miso Ginger Dressing.
This kale citrus salad holds up well in the fridge, so it’s perfect to make ahead, just save the croutons until the last minute to keep them crunchy. It’s a vibrant, feel-good dish that works for lunch, dinner, or anytime you need a little citrusy goodness on your plate!
Here is Why This Kale Mandarin Salad Recipe Works
Tender Kale Without the Toughness: Massaging the kale with lemon and olive oil takes it from tough and bitter to tender and tasty.
Sweet Citrus with a Savory Twist: Juicy mandarins bring the sunshine, while the Miso Ginger Dressing adds a savory punch.
Crunch for Days: Those croutons are not just filler, they add a satisfying crunch that makes this salad unforgettable. Just add them at the end to keep them crisp.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Kale holds up like a champ, even when dressed, so you can prep this salad ahead of time. Just stash the croutons on the side and you’re good to go.
The Ingredients
- Produce: Tuscan kale, mandarins, red onion, lemon.
- Pantry: Olive oil, croutons.
- Condiments: Miso Ginger Dressing.
You can purchase your own dressing or make my recipe. I have used the dressing recipe in my tuna grain bowl and pasta salad with salmon.
Kale and Orange Salad Variations
Crispy Chicken Kale Mandarin Salad: Top the salad with shredded rotisserie chicken and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
Avocado & Feta Citrus Kale Salad: Add sliced avocado and crumbled feta cheese.
Winter Harvest Kale Salad: Mix in dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and candied pecans.
Recipe Tips
- Massage the Kale. Rubbing the kale with olive oil and lemon juice softens the tough fibers and makes the greens more tender and flavorful.
- Choose the Right Mandarins: Satsumas or clementines are perfect for this salad; they’re easy to peel, juicy, and have a great balance of sweet and tart.
- If you’re prepping ahead, add the croutons right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
- Adjust the Dressing to Taste: You can start with less and add more to suit your flavor preference.
- Red onion can be strong, so thin slices go a long way. If you want a milder flavor, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad.
- I did not add salt to the salad because the miso dressing is well seasoned.
Storage
Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. If possible, remove the croutons before storing, they’ll turn soggy if left in the salad.
Crouton Storage Tip: Store leftover croutons separately in a small airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunch.
Kale Orange Salad
Kale Mandarin Salad is simple to make, holds up well for meal prep, and delivers a perfect balance of crunch and citrusy goodness. Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a make-ahead side, this salad brings a bright twist to any meal.
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Kale and Mandarin Orange Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, about 8 ounces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ fresh lemon, juiced
- 3-4 small mandarins, peeled and segmented
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 12 ounces croutons
- 5-6 tablespoons Miso Ginger Dressing, our homemade recipe or store-bought
Instructions
- Rinse the kale under cold tap water and pat dry. Remove the spine of each leaf and chop the kale into small pieces.
- Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl, drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil. Using clean hands, massage the kale for 1-2 minutes, until it becomes slightly wilted and darkens in color.
- Add the mandarins, onion slices and croutons to the bowl of kale.
- Drizzle with the Miso Ginger Dressing, toss the salad to combine and serve.
Notes
- Massaging the kale with olive oil and lemon juice softens the tough fibers and makes the greens more tender and flavorful.
- Satsumas or clementines are perfect for this salad; they’re easy to peel, juicy, and have a great balance of sweet and tart.
- If you’re prepping ahead, add the croutons right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
- Adjust the Dressing to Taste: You can start with less and add more to suit your flavor preference.
- If you want the onions to have a milder flavor, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad.
- I skipped the salt in this salad since the miso dressing already adds plenty of seasoning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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