Arugula Spinach Salad with Winter Citrus

Bringing you this VERY simple and vibrant salad to kick off your wintry week! Peppery arugula balanced with fresh spinach and topped with thinly sliced sweet onions, winter citrus, and a VERY simple homemade vinaigrette. This salad feels like a promise of warmer days to come as I stare out my window at the snow. And it’s a promise that big taste can come from the simplest of ingredients.

Is it strange to anyone else that citrus season is at its peak in the dead of winter?  Winter citrus seems like such an oxymoron. Bright, brilliant color bursting with sweet juiciness offering up its sunniness just when we begin longing for something to offset the frigid temps of snowstorms and a polar vortex. I’m ready for summer. I even wore my flip-flops out recently. Call it premature optimism.

So I’m embracing some of the best flavors winter is offering us through this arugula and spinach salad with winter citrus. Because snow is outside. And flip flops in the snow aren’t causing summer to come any faster.

So here’s why I love this salad:

• It’s so dang easy. I questioned whether or not I should even share this recipe with you because it’s so ridiculously simple. But then I decided that we all need the occasional reminder that some things in life can be easy.
• Less than 10 ingredients. 4 ingredients for the salad. 5 ingredients for the salad dressing. Yep, very basic.
• Big beautiful sunny taste. That juicy winter citrus combined with the mild, crunchy tang of a thinly sliced sweet onion and a spicy arugula/mild spinach combo is just so…(offers up an Italian chef kiss)
• Perfect for a party. It’s tasty and approachable for all preferences. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Paleo…you get my drift.
• No cooking required. Slice the citrus. Slice the onion. A quick mix of basic vinaigrette ingredients. Toss it up with some arugula and spinach. Done.
• It looks pretty. Maybe a weird reason to love a salad but I like pretty food. And I think people need pretty food to give them some cheer during the winter blues. Bonus: it’s super healthy too.

So there you have it. Big taste. Simple ingredients. What’s not to love?

And for those of you that need a little more flair in your salads. Try out one of these optional add-in ideas:

• sliced avocado
• dried cranberries
• chopped, dried cherries
• pomegranate arils
• soft goat cheese

So how ARE you guys holding up this winter?! Especially those of you in the polar vortex region?! I saw that Wisconsin hit a low of minus-31 degrees. Have mercy.

Arugula Spinach Salad with Winter Citrus

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• Author: Shannon
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 Servings 1x

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Description

A simple, tasty, and vibrant salad! Peppery arugula balanced with fresh baby spinach and topped with thinly sliced sweet onions, winter citrus, and a super simple homemade vinaigrette.

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Ingredients

SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

SALAD:

• 5 ounces (about 5 cups) equal parts arugula and baby spinach
• 1/2 cup very thinly sliced sweet onion (such as Sweet Mayans, Vidalia, or Walla Walla onions)
• 3 tangerines, sliced into rounds and peeled (or other sweet winter citrus such as mandarins, clementines, or oranges; adjust the amount of citrus you use based on its size)
• 1 batch Simple Vinaigrette Dressing
• Optional add-ins (choose one): sliced avocado, chopped dried cherries, dried cranberries, pomegranate arils, soft goat cheese

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Instructions

SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl (or shake together in a mason jar) until combined.

SALAD:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss until evenly combined.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

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• Category: Salad
• Method: Slice
• Cuisine: American

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Hello sunny salad.

MORE TASTY SALADS TO TRY OUT:

1. Spiralized Cucumber Summer Salad
2. Picnic Perfect Kale Quinoa Salad + Cider Vinaigrette
3. Green Salad with Grapefruit and Red & Golden Beets + Balsamic Dressing
4. Spicy Red Quinoa Salad
5. Brussels Sprout & Pancetta Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette
6. Three Bean Salad

Disclaimer: All brand recommendations are purely my own opinion and are brands/products that I personally use and enjoy. This post may also contain affiliate links which I may receive a small commission from (without any additional costs to you).