Mandarin Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing
This salad is easy, quick, healthy, and tossed in the most addictive teriyaki vinaigrette dressing!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta noodles
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves the green star of the show
- ½ cup craisins add a sweet chewiness
- ⅓ cup pine nuts or cashews for that nutty crunch
- 1 4-ounce can mandarin oranges drained
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup thick teriyaki sauce
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar may sub apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup oil vegetable, canola, or olive oil
Instructions
Instructions
- First, cook your bowtie pasta noodles according to package instructions until they’re just al dente. You can do this right in the pressure cooker or on your stove. Then drain and set ’em aside so they don't get mushy.
- Grab a big mixing bowl. Toss in your spinach leaves, craisins, and your choice of nuts — pine nuts or cashews both work nice.
- Next, add the cooked pasta and those juicy mandarin oranges. Gently fold everything together so the fruit and greens start to hang out.
- Now, time for the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together that thick teriyaki sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic and onion powder. This combo is gonna bring the flavor punch.
- Slowly pour the dressing over your salad mix. Toss it gently but thoroughly so every bite gets a good coat of tasty sauce.
- Add the roughly chopped cilantro leaves on top for a fresh finish. Don’t skip this — it really lifts the whole dish.
Notes
If possible, opt for a thicker teriyaki sauce. My favorite brand is Kikkoman.