This refreshing Orange and Avocado Salad makes a colorful and flavorful lunch or dinner meal salad. I especially love this salad served as a side dish with a Mexican-inspired meal.
If I were forced to choose just one canned fruit to enjoy indefinitely, my top pick would undoubtedly be mandarin oranges.
Teamed up with avocado in this Orange and Avocado Salad, these citrus gems are the ideal counterpoint to the savory flavors found in this salad.
Why I Love This Avocado and Orange Salad Recipe
- All ingredients are available throughout the year.
- The dressing is bright and flavorful, which is especially nice in the winter.
- It’s easy for me to make in minutes.
- I love that this salad pairs well with savory and spicy main dishes.
- I add chicken, shrimp or salmon and make it into a meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Fresh Orange Juice: Adds the burst of expected citrusy freshness to the dressing. I stick with fresh because store-bought is too sweet and dull tasting.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The zesty kick that enhances the overall acidity. While bottled lemon juice can be used, I prefer fresh to maximize flavor.
- Avocado Oil: The richness in the dressing. I will use extra virgin olive oil as an alternative.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dressing for a balanced flavor profile. You can try honey or maple syrup as a more natural sweetener.
- Kosher Salt: Flavor enhancer. Feel free to use regular table salt, but adjust the quantity.
- Mandarin Oranges (Canned): The star of this salad for sure!
- Avocado: Adds creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Red Onion: Adds crunch and pungency. If you don’t have red onions, you could try shallots, which a have a similar flavor profile.
- Lettuce Greens (Romaine and Spring Mix): The base for the salad. Spinach could be considered as an alternative.
How to Make Orange and Avocado Salad
- Combine orange juice, lemon juice, oil, sugar, and salt in a mason jar, shaking vigorously until well blended.
- In a large bowl combine mandarin oranges, avocado, and red onion. Carefully fold in the orange juice mixture, being careful not to mash up the avocados. Cover and allow it to chill for 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Add lettuce to the cooled orange mixture and give it a gentle toss.
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Recipe Tips
- To get the most juice out of your citrus, use my favorite handheld squeezer. It’s by far my absolute favorite kitchen gadget.
- Use premium canned mandarin oranges if you can find them. I love the ones they sell at Costco, they are bigger and juicier.
- Make sure your avocado is ripe, but not mushy.
- Let the dressing and the avocado mixture chill together for at least 30 minutes. This really brings the flavors together.
- Use a mix of crunchy and less crunchy salad greens for the best texture.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I prepare the dressing in advance and store it for later use? I love making this dressing in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. I give it a good shake before using to recombine the ingredients. But I prefer to use it the same day for the best flavor.
- Can I make the salad a few hours before serving? When I do this, I keep the ingredients separate and combine them right before serving. I do leave the avocado whole and slice right before tossing the salad.
More Orange Recipes
More Avocado Recipes
Orange and Avocado SaladThis refreshing Orange and Avocado Salad makes a colorful and flavorful lunch or dinner meal salad. I especially love this salad served as a side dish with a Mexican-inspired meal.
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 305kcal
Ingredients
Instructions
NotesFor optimal outcomes when preparing this orange and avocado salad, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations
The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select. NutritionNutrition Facts
Orange and Avocado Salad
Amount Per Serving (250 g)
Calories 305
Calories from Fat 133
% Daily Value*
Fat 14.8g23% Saturated Fat 2g13% Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g Monounsaturated Fat 10.1g Sodium 196.1mg9% Potassium 709.9mg20% Carbohydrates 37.1g12% Fiber 6.8g28% Sugar 27.8g31% Protein 2.9g6%
Vitamin A 630IU13% Vitamin C 92.4mg112% Calcium 116mg12% Iron 2.7mg15% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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