Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing – this salad is easy, quick, healthy, and tossed in the most addictive teriyaki vinaigrette dressing!
Happy Salad Monday!!! I’ve been looking forward to this moment because this salad is my new obsession. I mean… it’s not like I’ve already made it three times in the past five days or anything…
Oh wait. yes I have.
Once for my husband and myself, then for a neighbor (and myself), and then for a huge family gathering on Sunday (where I was present). Every single time it completely disappeared and everyone raved about it.
And I’m just going to be totally honest – this dressing is positively addictive. It completely makes the salad. And that’s saying something because the combination of craisins + spinach + mandarin oranges + pine nuts + cilantro borders on magical. But the dressing. THE DRESSING.
It makes me want to cry.
Tears of blissful heavenly joy.
I’ve actually doubled the dressing recipe and saved half to keep in the fridge. All day long I find myself looking for anything and everything to dip in this stuff. Pasta, chicken, pretzels, cucumbers. And yes, once or twice I may have opted to go straight for the spoon.
One taste and you will understand what I’m talking about. I am begging you. Make this salad.
Pretty pretty pretty please. Something this incredible has to be shared.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Salad
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta noodles
- 4 cups spinach leaves
- ½ cup craisins
- ⅓ cup cashews or Diamond of California Pine Nuts
- 1 4-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce (the thicker, the better!)
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar (may sub apple cider vinegar)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (if you have it)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup oil (such as vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil)
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- While pasta is boiling, prepare the dressing. In a jar combine all dressing ingredients. Cover and shake to combine. Chill until ready to use.
- In a large bowl toss together pasta, spinach, raisins, nuts, mandarin oranges, and cilantro. Just before serving pour dressing over salad, toss, and serve.
Recipe inspired by The Style Sisters.
A huge thank you to Diamond of California Nuts for sponsored this awesome salad recipe!
Diana
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for different kinds of salads to make to mix it up a bit.
Tiffany
And it’s SO easy – I made it 3 times this week, it’s quickly become a go-to!
Beverly Henderson
I can only find rice vinegar @ my store NOT rice wine vinegar. Can you give me the brand and where you buy it? Thanks.
Tiffany
Hi Beverly, Rice Vinegar will work as well. 🙂
AJ
You can get it at any Asian supermarket, or online.
BTW UPDATE: I made this dressing…the recipe advises to use a thick teriyaki sauce, all I had was a thin one. But if you add corn starch or xanthan gum (about a Tbsp), shake well, and cook on the stove until it thickens, you’ll have the perfect sauce and the house will smell SO GOOD too!
Adele
Thank you! I used Fusia brand from Aldi…delicious and thick but when added to this recipe, not thick enough. Corn Starch helped.
Karen
Rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are one and the same.
Karen
Can’t get rid of those darn stars…
Jamie Jarvis
Also, rice vinegar comes plain and flavored.
LaVonne
This is absolutely the best salad I have EVER had!
Tiffany
Isn’t it addicting?! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Michelle
Made this tonight and it was a-mmm-azing! I used sesame oil for the dressing…delish!
Question… will this keep overnight? Like a prepare ahead salad?
Robin
You can make it ahead. The spinach will wilt down if you add the dressing but if is still very yummy!
Carlo
What could be used as a substitute for craisans? Suggestions?
Judy
I’ve used snipped dried apricots as a substitute for craisins. in a similar salad. You don’t get the pretty red color, but the taste is just as good.
Carol
dried cherries
Michele
try dried cherries in place of the craisins … Costco sells them
also added diced, cooked chicken .. so good!
Christy
Dried cherries
Darlene
I had a salad like this and had chow mein noodles on top! Was excellent!
Sue Burnham
I have made this salad 6 times. Every time I make it, everyone wants the recipe. Thank you for a fresh, fresh, fresh, awesome salad!
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek
That looks so yummy. I have never had a teriyaki dressing before so I’m looking forward to something new.
Tiffany
That dressing is honestly probably the best thing you will ever taste – so crazy good!!!
Trisha
I just made this salad. My husband says, of all the salads I’ve made, this has to be his favorite. The dressing is to die for. I’m going to marinate chicken with it.
Tiffany
I agree about the dressing! So glad you both enjoyed this recipe!
Nicole - Coking for Keeps
Your salads are always so creative and GORGEOUS! I love that there’s teriyaki dressing, so unique!
Tiffany
Nicole you are so nice – thank you!!! This dressing, I’m totally hooked on it and want to put it on EVERYTHING.
Melissa
This sounds super yummy! Have you ever added chicken to this salad? You could even bake some teriyaki chicken and throw it in for a main dish salad. I would love to give that a try!
Tiffany
I actually meant to put chicken in this salad!! I had it all planned out and then when I went to make it I realized I hadn’t thawed any chicken from the freezer – gah! so I made it without the chicken and it came out great but I’ve made it since WITH chicken and it was wonderful!!! Definitely perfect for a main dish!
Lisa Baginski
For the dressing ingredients, am I using store bought teriyaki salad dressing or just the typical teriyaki sauce? It said dressing so I’m making sure. Can’t wait to try this!
Tiffany
For the dressing, you use teriyaki sauce that you can find in the Asian aisle! I love the Kikkoman kind in a big bottle, it’s really thick and has sesame seeds in it – it’s my favorite!
Pam
Believe I HAD the stuff you’re talking about …I could see the sesame seeds in it but thought maybe that was the wrong stuff so got the Kikkoman teriyaki baste and glaze..it says can use in bbqing & as a dipping sauce and also has some seeds in it and is also thick. Hope I didn’t mess up my dressing …will let you know…
Sue hesano
I bought stir fry sauce, im nervous as iTs for a party
Francis landivar
Tastes like heaven!
Andrea @ Chocolate & Sea Salt
I’m also looking for new homemade salad dressing recipes. And I love that the bowties are mixed in. YUM!
Susan Cleland
My partner HATES cilantro, but I love it. This salad sounds awesome. Any suggestions for a substitute herb?
Tiffany
Oh what a shame – cilantro is a beautiful thing I would die without it!!!! But you can definitely throw some parsley in there instead. 🙂
Michele
My husband and daughter hate cilantro as well. I substitute with parsley and it works!
Susan Cleland
Thanks for the suggestion. I might make a portion or two with parsley and the remainder with cilantro. I LOVE it.
Susan Cleland
Great idea!
Jana
Is there a difference between rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar?
Tiffany
Hi Jana, you can probably use either!
Amy Baker
Would there be any reason to not use fresh mandarins, Halos? I don’t care for the canned ones and the fresh are in the stores now.
Tiffany
Hi Amy – you could definitely use the fresh ones! The only reason I mentioned the canned ones in the recipe is that they are available all year round and I don’t want anyone to think they couldn’t make this recipe in November! 🙂
Treva
I couldn’t find rice wine vinegar, both of the stores I checked had either rice vinegar or white wine vinegar so I ended up using apple cider vinegar…….it was very good!
Lisa Wilson
Rice vinegar is the same thing
Leigh Wilmot
Yummy !
Kristen Jones
SO delicious! Love this salad and have made it three times this week. There’s more than enough dressing for this recipe – which is fine, because I can use it all week long. Double the entire recipe, and then in a sealable bowl, layer the cooked pasta, then the oranges, then spinach, then cranberries, then cilantro. No dressing. Then when I want it, I just add the nuts and dressing (already in a jar in the fridge), shake the bowl and done!
Lynda
Great idea!
Amanda
Completely obsessed with this recipe. It is so good!!!! It is going to be my new go to for lunches.
Patty
Which oil do you prefer to use when making this?
Can’t wait to try it!
Tiffany
I use vegetable oil and it comes out great 🙂
Janet
Turns out I’m not a fan of the concentration of oil. I think I’ll cut that in half next time.
Karen
Janet you could replacethe oil with No oil oil it has the same texture as oil and works geat in salads. To make it you need 1cup of clear broth or stock 1teaspoon of cornflour or cornstarch whisk together then cook on medium heat for about 7 minutes till clear. Then use in place of oil in salads.
Carol
Question: You mentioned using bowtie pasta salad. Do you mean bowtie pasta? Or is this some type of salad mix with bowtie pasta (like Suddenly Salad).
Tiffany
Hi Carol, it’s just bowtie pasta noodles. 🙂
June
What do you mean when you say 8 ounces bowtie pasta “salad?” Do you mean 8 ounces cooked bowtie pasta?
Tiffany
Yes it is bowtie pasta noodles.
Lindy
I am wondering about nutrition ad the recipe is written. It that available??
Tiffany
Hi Lindy, I don’t have the nutrition stats but you could always use http://www.myfitnesspal.com – it’s a great source!
Judy
If you need nutrition info you can figure for each ingredient & divide by the number of servings. Use the calculator at sparkpeople.com. I always use this site & the info from package nutrition labels when figuring my diabetic carb counting.
Becky w
i have a question when you say teriyaki sauce what exactly is that.
I have found kikkoman teriyaki marinade and sauce which is very thin and also
Kiikoman teriyaki baste and glaze. Which do you use or is it something different?
Thank you for your help.
Tiffany
Hi Becky, I’d go with the sauce/baste/glaze if it’s thicker. 🙂
Janeen
This looks DE-lish! I will be pairing this with frilled salmon this weekend. Can’t wait. Thank you.
Janeen
…and maybe Grilled salmon too 🙂
Kimberley Walker
I made this last night. I’m in love. Eating a big bowl of it a we speak. Nomnomnom. 🙂
Tiffany
Salmon would be PERFECT in this salad!
DeeLee
All I have ever made it with is the marinade and I think it is fabulous. My dish is always the hit of the party, which is fun.
Cali
This looks great! Could you use teriyaki marinade as a sub for the sauce? I’ve got some sitting in the fridge. Thanks!
Tiffany
Hi Cali! The thicker the teriyaki sauce, the thicker the dressing – which I prefer – but if you have a favorite marinade on hand, I’d give it a try! The flavor is the most important part!
Jill
How long could the dressing keep for to re-use for another salad? I made this 2 weeks ago and had more than enough dressing and want to make it again today- do you think the dressing is still good or should I dump it and make more? Thanks!
Tiffany
Hi Jill, I’ve kept this dressing for a couple weeks and it was still great – as long as it isn’t too coagulated it should be just fine! 🙂
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog
Okay, dumb question but – do you serve this as a side? Or as a full meal? I’m looking to make it this week but didn’t know if you were considering your portions to be full meals. Thanks!
Tiffany
Hi Natalie! I typically serve this as a side which feeds 6-8 easily, but I’ve also served it as a main dish for about 4-5 people and added grilled chicken breast. 🙂
Cindy
I have made this salad twice. I LOVE THIS SALAD. I actually feel like my body craves it. Very good. I omitted the oranges and cilantro and added chopped red onion. SO GOOD!
Tiffany
Chopped red onion = GENIUS! I love red onion so I absolutely have to add that next time!
Cindy Thede
Would you by any chance know how many calories this salad might have? Probably not too bad. Just curious.
Thanks!!
Tiffany
Hi Cindy, I don’t have the nutrition stats on hand but I recommend using http://www.myfitnesspal.com – it’s free, easy, and I feel like it’s pretty accurate! 🙂
Nina
You were right – that dressing is amazing! And this is my new favorite salad. Thanks so much for posting this recipe.
Christine
1. You’re right, the dressing is AH-mazing!!!
2. Loved the salad
3. I plugged it into my fitness pal, and calculating with 6 servings, it came to 257 calories. I used raisins, olive oil, and pine nuts
CC
I feel like this recipe is totally plagerized from a salad posted on melskitchencafe.com in 2009. The dressing especially. Do you regularly lift recipes from other bloggers and then credit yourself as the “author”? Shady.
Tiffany
No, I never “lift” recipes from other bloggers – as you would have noticed if you had looked at the recipe card, I credited The Style Sisters for inspiration for this recipe. Have a nice day!
Cbhash
Don’t let the trolls bring you down!
joy
This was amazing! I added a bit of arugula and turkey quinoa meatballs. I had fresh mandarins for once so used 2 instead of the canned. Such a fresh, nice salad and I believe I have a new favorite dinner! Thank you!
Lori Lynn
Holy mother of all things heavenly! I do food prep every Sunday for my work week in my Mason Jars and so I put this salad in the jars (dressing separate). Just had my first today after 3 days of sitting in fridge. It was still fresh, crisp and my all time favorite salad now! I just put the dressing in a small container, poured a little in jar and shook up real good, then poured out on plate. Used a spiral whole wheat noodle and regular raisins but those were the only 2 changes I made, (because they were all I had) and YUMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! My new favorite! Thank you so much for posting!
Anne
Hey, I did see someone asked a questions about which Kikkoman teriyaki sauce to use. I have seen both the “marinade & sauce” which is the thinner one and the “baste & glaze” which is the thicker one. But my friend found the Kikkoman Original Teriyaki which is under the Takumi Collection and in a brown bottle. Was the one you used in a brown bottle, a red bottle or an orange bottle. I just want to make it exactly the way you did. On a side note, when my friend was originally making this recipe before she passed it along to me, she missed the part about Teriyaki Sauce and used Soy Sauce instead and said it was the BEST thing ever. I told her it was supposed to be Teriyaki Sauce and she said she can only imagine how good it would be with that instead. So I guess soy sauce is a good alternate if you can’t find Teriyaki sauce where you live. Thanks for the awesome recipe!!!
Tiffany
Hi Anne! Wow, I can’t believe it came out so great with soy sauce, I’m going to have to try that now!! As for the teriyaki sauce, I use this exact one here!
Andrea Nelson
If I were to make this for a family how soon in advance do I need to make it? Driving to North Carolina with it?
Tiffany
Hi Andrea, not sure how far away North Carolina is for you but if you make it just before you head out you should be fine. Just wait to toss the salad with the dressing until you’re ready to serve!
Jennifer
What type of Kikkoman teriyaki sauce do you use? Regular or the glaze? Sorry, I saw what you used in a prior post.
Kim
This salad is sooo awesome! Made again for today’s pool party. The dressing is to die for:)
Jacqui
I have an aunt that makes a version of this salad but marinates the cooked pasta in the dressing overnight and uses honey roasted peanuts! This really is one of the best salads I have ever had!!
Tiffany
Ooh I had never thought to marinate the pasta, that sounds amazing!!
Robbin Walker
I just made this for dinner last night with one variation – I added sliced, grilled chicken breasts to make it more of an entree! This is a divine salad and I will definitely make again. I may add some grilled pineapple chunks, next time, too. Thanks for sharing! (And you are right – the dressing is to to die for!). Bon Appetit!
Tiffany
I love adding chicken to salads to make them a perfect main dish! So glad you enjoyed it and agree that the dressing is so amazing!!
GIna
This salad dressing is AWESOME!!! The BEST Asian I have ever had!! All others fall short. The salad is delicious, I used sugar snap peas, red onion, carrots honey roasted almonds and the spinach and mandarin oranges of course. A very versatile salad!
Tiffany
OOh, I definitely have to try adding some sugar snap peas that would be amazing!! Thanks for the idea Gina!!
Cindy
I can’t wait to make this salad, but I have a question. My husband is allergic to pine nuts. But he can have peanuts or almonds. What would you suggest using?
Tiffany
I would go with the almonds!!
Sherwood
This printed weird. All the “Follow on [social media]” links overlaid the Notes section. Also, the eCookbook promo code printed on there (though without obstructing the recipe text). Dunno if anything can be done about that…
Tiffany
Hi! Sorry about that, it occasionally happens with some printers/devices but I’ve gone ahead and emailed you a print-ready version!
Tiffany
Hi! Sorry about that, it happens occasionally with some printers/devices but I’ve gone ahead and emailed you a print-ready version!
Ema
OK. So. At first I was like: “Why is she begging me to make this salad? What is so good about it?” haha…But then I decided to make it and after one bite I screamed: “NOW I know!” It was delicious. All ingrediends were really good friends and the DRESSING. I made homemade Teriyaki dressing and after I finished eating I had to make more for my mom. I bet she will love it! Wonderful! Thank you 🙂
Tiffany
See?? I wasn’t kidding this salad really is incredible right?! Haha – so glad you gave it a try and loved it as much as I do!!!
Gina
this salad is very adaptable, using items you have on hand. I did use apple cider vinegar instead of The rice wine vinegar as that is what I had. The dressing is AWESOME!!! I’ve tried other Asian salad dressings, none of them compare to this!
Sherwood
Made this yesterday. It’s got a lot of tastes in it that I’m not used to, but it’s addictive in its strangeness. I had to keep the dressing separate, as the salad’s going to be sitting around for days before it’s finished off, and I had to withhold the pine nuts (to be sprinkled on top) due to concerns of food sensitivity with a roommate. While I’m eating it, I’m never quite sure if I like it, yet I keep going back for more… Thanks for sharing!
mike clemens
This is my family’s new favorite salad! Everyone that has the opportunity to taste it loves it. I recently retired from the Fire Dept and this would have been a huge hit in the Firehouse. Thanks for posting it, it is very rare to have something this easy and wonderful come along. (we also often add grilled chicken or steak to it and it becomes our summer night main dish)
Tiffany
So glad you’ve enjoyed it Mike! I love that you add steak to it, we’ve done chicken many times but now I am craving it with steak!!
Beth
I love looking for new recipes but what I love more are the comments when people actually make it and this one sounds like a winner! I am going shopping for the ingredients today! Thank you!
Lynda
Your recipes are always winners! In making the sauce, I only had runny teriyaki sauce but did have some of your recipe sweet and sour sauce. I put the s & s sauce in the 1/3 measuring cup and topped it off with the runny teriyaki sauce. Debated on leaving out the sugar, because of the s & s sauce, but ended up adding 2 tsp. sugar substitute. It taste great! Eventually I’ll make it the proper way, but this more than works for now. Thank you thank you thank you!
Margie Torregrosa
Just made the Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad… Everyone here loved it!!! Guess what will be my lunch tomorrow??? 😍😍😍
Elaine
This looks amazing. I can’t wait to make it for a family party. How much should I make for 25 people as a side dish?
Susie G
Made this tonight and my family really enjoyed it. The dressing is excellent! I need to bring a pasta salad for a large outing and will substitute sunflower seeds in lieu of the other nuts.
Denise Rypma
Made this today… Love it !!!! Had to make my own teriyaki glaze as I didn’t have any on hand. Put sunflower seeds (all I had) right in the dressing. So good !!! Will use this recipe often!
Jess W.
The awesom picture drew me in but the way you talked about this dressing…my stomach is roaring! I’m going to try this for lunch for sure. Great post!
Tiffany
I hope you do try it Jess, this salad gets amazing reviews and I personally am pretty much obsessed with it ha!
Tammy
Sooooo, I didn’t make the salad, but I did make the dressing. I made a cold pasta salad and wanted a different dressing than the usually creamy options. Oh my word, this is amazing! And I recommend having a spoon nearby so you can get all the dressing from the bottom of the bowl! Of course, if you’re alone just tip the bowl right up to your mouth!
Shirley caniford
I saw this recipe and decided to fix it for our Woman’s Club meeting tonight at which time we have a fascinator hat making workshop. I just finished boiling the pasta, draining and rinsing it, drained the mandarin oranges and added the pine nuts for now. Have sealed that and refrigerated. Tonight I will add the raisins and spinach and dressing before serving. I hope it’s a success! Never made it before but it came so highly recommended I couldn’t resist.
Courtney
You weren’t lying about this dressing.., WOW. So delicious and unlike anything else I’ve had before! I’m not a huge fan of cilantro so I omitted that and added in some red onion and chicken, and holy moly am I feeling fat and satisfied after just gobbling up a huge bowl 😊 will definitely be making again!
Jennifer Jaras
So beautiful and healthy! I’m always looking for new salad recipes.
Michelle Sersch
My family loves this pasta salad! We make it with grilled salmon or have added cooked chicken to it as well. It’s my favorite thing to bring to BbQs or big gatherings as its a great crowd pleaser!
Betty
This looks absolutely delicious. What I was wondering was how big of a batch does this make? Was wanting to make as a dish to pass for a get together.
Tiffany
I think this serves about 8 people easily as a side dish! You could easily double the recipe if you need more than that! 🙂
heidi
this is so good. i bought the ginger teryiaki. whole family loved it
Tiffany
Yay!! So glad you loved it Heidi!!
Issie
I made the dressing the day before and put it in the fridge.
The dressing is Wonderful, yes you could just drink it!
It is now my favourite dressing
Think it would also make a nice marinade for chicken
Made the salad but could only find craisin in cranberries here in the UK so used those.
Love spinach, love salad, love pine nuts and mandarins love pasta
So this salad was a hit for us…..
For my granddaughter I just served the pasta with the fruit and the dressing she loved it.
This salad is the best.
gloria Mostyn
Craisin is one of the brands of dried cranberries.
diane brophy
I wish all recipes came with nutritional values. Is it possible to include?
Olga
Super!!! This is the best salad….este cea mai buna salata!!! in romaneste
Liz Woods
I made this with no spinach and no cilantro – -did not have it in the house,
But i did have the following, crazins, a small can of corn, 1 can of diced tomatoes, mandarin oranges and pine nuts – -ITS AMAZING!
Thanks for the recipe.
mandy
This is the most delicious dressing I have ever tasted!!! I had to hide it in the back of my fridge so there would be some left to put on the salad for dinner.
anita williams
OMG this is great made for supper last night and not one drop left.I through my sister would eat the bowl.
Loes
Thank you for this recipe! I made it with chicken and fresh mandarins and it was delicious! Will definitely be making this again and sharing it with friends.
Linda O
Made this and my family loved it! Only difference was that I used Honey Roasted Cashews and 16 oz. drained Mandarin Oranges. It is delicious and makes an attractive presentation! Thank you.
Super Healthy Cooking
This Pasta Salad sounds something I would definitely Love!! 🙂 Looks fantastic!
April Jones
One of my go to recipes!
Hayley
I couldn’t wait to try this so I went out the next day and bought the ingredients and it was delicious I added sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts because that’s what I had but it was still delicious
Tami
Have you tried this without nuts? My husband cant have nuts.
Tiffany
Yes! It’s still delicious without nuts!
Elizabeth Gawalek
I made this salad for the first time today and it was ah-MAZ-ing! I love the textures, the flavors, EVERYTHING! Definitely adding this to my normal rotation.
Thank you for a wonderful new salad variety!
Tiffany
Isn’t it amazing??? It’s my go-to potluck salad – wows everybody!! 🙂
cindy kern
Omg…………I didn’t even put the mandarin oranges in it, because I didn’t have any, and it was still awesome!!!!
Tiffany
I’m so glad you liked this recipe!
Keesha
Can i use coleslaw mix with the dressing?
Tiffany
Yes definitely!
D
Don’t see why not, it will be delicious
Barbara
This was a huge hit tonight – easy to make and absolutely delicious! Such a great combination of flavors. We sauteed shrimp on the side for those who might want some protein – it also made it a great main dish. Yummy sauce!!!
Tracy Douglas
Love, love this!! The dressing is amazing!! Addictive just like you said!! My husband actually had 2 bowls! I took your recipe and tweeked it to match Corner Bakery’s spinach salad which I ❤️! Keeper all the way!!!!!!!
Sherry
Hi this looks great and looking forward to making. My question is this…… the amount of dressing made,is that the amount to use on the whole salad in the bowl in order for it to taste right? Saw many people commenting on how they had a lot left. Also can I just make the whole salad and have chill in the fridge ? Actually I can waiit until ready to server but I’m thinking more about the leftovers. Will it wilt to the point of ruining it. I know certain alads taste better once sitting for awhile. Thoughts? Tia.
Beth Slatnick
I wish this was printed in printing format so I could print it out easily.
Donna
Is it possible to make this as a hot pasta dish? 🤔
CAROL HACKER
Hi!!! I am diabetic, I don’T watch much, But I was told to bot exceed 40g of carbs in any one meal. I was all set to make this salad, and when I put the igredients into my WW fitness pal (gives caloric and nutritook breakdown per serving) and this salad contains 91g of carbohydrates!!!!! I really wanted to try it, but even f I made this exact quantity but turned it into 8 servings, it would still exceed 40g.😕
Liz
Thanks for this recipe.
It looks fabulous.
BA
this looks totally yummy and maybe you could double the dressing, use half to marinade skinless chicken breast, grill them and then sliced up into salad or plated on the side
is there any way to save these recipes to my phone? I get to the store and can’t remember what ingredients I need to buy to make something.
Thanks for sharing! can’t wait to try it
Roger
How heart healthy is it…i need to watch my sodium intake…
Joyce Kramer
This recipe as is, makes how many servings as a side dish and how many as a meal.
1. What would you make with this if served as a side dish.
2. Would you add anything to this if served as a meal?
Diana
Want to try it. Can’t print it, can’t save it. ☹️
Rosie
Can you make the salad the day before a party amd dress the day before?
Cameo
About how many carbs per serving? Do you think I could substitute Stevia for the sugar? It looks delicious.
Bonnie
I’m making this salad . Something different the dressing sounds so good. Thanks again!!
Bryn
I am going to a ladies luncheon this week and everyone is bringing a dish to share. There will be about 20 of us but since everyone is bringing something – I’m sure a scoop is enough for each of us. Should I double the recipe or triple? Dressing too?
Tiffany
I would triple just to be safe! 🙂
Rose
I’m making it today. Already made the dressing and yes it is fantastic. I’m [email protected]
Suanne Jennings-Esposito
Could this salad be made with grilled shrimp to add a little extra color and taste ?!
Tiffany
Absolutely!!! Love this salad with shrimp!!
Sandy
This is the best salad I’ve ever tasted – The flavors are really AMAZING!
I usually eat salads with mixed greens. I now prefer this spinach salad over all the others.
Stephanie
Yum
Pat morgan
Do you have nutrition info? Specifically I need the protein content. Also, would sunflower seeds be a good substitute for pine nuts?
Mary
I need it broke down with calories, protein, sugar, carbohydrates please.
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Joyce costa
Can’t wait to try this!!!!
Dana
What brand of teriyaki do you use? You make it sound so
Good and I want mine to be that good too!
Tiffany
I use Kikkoman – it’s this one —> http://www.kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/products/products_hc_details.php?pf=10301 By far my favorite teriyaki sauce, bar none!
Sandy Moyer
Which one? This has their entire linE. Baste & glaze is SUPER THICK! Thsnk you.
Tiffany
Sandy- I used the Baste & Glaze!
Brenda
Love this salad! I added some sauteed shrimp and left out the oranges. I will definitely be making this a lot!!
Tiffany
I love that you added shrimp! Great idea!!
Gail mcclure
Could you make this whole 30 compliant? Have you ever substituted oo for oil and coconut aminos for teriyaki sauce?
Sandra in RVA*
This salad was quite possibly the best salad I have ever eaten! It was absolutely amazing!!! I omitted the cilantro since I’m allergic to it but W.O.W!!!! after eating dinner, I realized that I didn’t add the tablespoon of sugar to the dressing. Honestly, the dressing was savory and sweet enough, in my opinion, simply being combined with the mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. I will make this again and again!!! Thanks for sharing.
Tiffany
So happy to hear that Sandra!! This is my favorite, I swear if I could only live off of one salad for the rest of my life this would be IT. And great to hear you like it even without that extra sugar!
Jean Baxter
How do you PRINT the recipe …I see the “Pin it” …but nothing to print it !! This salad is PERFECT for light, summer fare ! Thanks. Jean
Tiffany
Hi Jean,
The print button is under the small image in the recipe section.
marcia
Can’t wait to try
mary t
nutritional info, please?
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Robyn valdez
I’m trying to pin this and can’t! I don’t want to lose this on my timeline
Cheri Bowen
Wondered if we had a calorie count on this salad, carbs etc.
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Pamela Stolarek
is this 8oz pasta dry or cooked?
Tiffany
8oz uncooked 🙂
Tboll
Looks great but before you go crazy thinking this is diet salad, it’s actually 622 cal per SERVING
8 ounces bowtie pasta noodles 840cal
4 cups spinach leaves 28
½ cup craisins 169
⅓ cup cashews or Diamond of California Pine Nuts 302
1 4-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained 43
¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped 1
dressing
⅓ cup teriyaki sauce (the thicker, the better!) 80
⅓ cup rice wine vinegar (may sub apple cider vinegar) 11
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder (if you have it)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar 48
½ cup oil (such as vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil) 964
Total 2486
Per Servng (1/4th total) 621.5
D
Make it a complete meal by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, BBQ pork, beef, tofu, etc……..anything that strikes your fancy!
Debbie
Do you have nutritional values?
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Janet G Richards
How many calories?
Christina
Do you have nutritional values for the salad??
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Jennifer
Has anyone made it with Kale? thoughts? Thanks
Karen Bellantoni
I wish I could pin it.
Debra
Just made this for dinner – amazing! I added chicken because I had some leftover. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca
Is there nutritional information available? I’m on a low cal/ low sodium diet. This looks yummy!
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
EZ
You know what you do have? The patience of a saint. Good gravy with all these comments. :o)
Tiffany
Haha! Comment of the week. Thank you! 😉
Nadine
Made this last night and added some leftover sliced grilled pork tenderloin…….Fantabulistic!
Michelle S
For anyone with a tree nut allergy, do you think sunflower seeds would be an okay replacement? Or would it be better to leave it out altogether?
susan
My granddaughter has a tree nut allergy; I just toasted pine nuts and put them in a separate bowl so those who wanted them could use them and she could still eat the salad. Yummy.
Fonda Stefane
Would you happen to have the nutrition breakdown? If so, I’d love to see it. I’ve been really watching what I eat. I’d love to try this because it looks yummy, but I’d like to know what I’m eating. I don’t want to regain what I’ve already lost. I’d really appreciate it.
Tiffany
I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Jenel
Made this for Mothers Day and it was a hit!!! Now I just made it again at home and it’s all gone! So fresh and great tasting!
Bev W
Sadly this dressing is not all suitable for anyone on a low sodium diet. In fact one tablespoon of teryaki sauce has over 700mg of sodium. A healthy person should not be having more than 2400mg per day from all sources. I can’t see why you would want to add more salt on top of this! I am sure it tastes wondrrful, but the dressing can’t be called healthy and as my sodium restriction is 1500 mg/day I guess I will never get to find out for myself.
Nnacy
Looking forward to making this tomorrow.
Tonia
Do you happen to have nutritional value and calorie amout per serving? Thank you. Can’t wait to make this.
Tiffany
Hi Tonia! I don’t have the nutritional info on hand for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has an awesome tool that calculates all that out for you! Here’s the link: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/box. It’s free and all you do it copy and paste the recipe URL into the Recipe Importer and it will tell you everything you need to know! 🙂
Beverly A Cook
I am deathly allergic to cilantro! 🙁 Can’t think of what to replace it with to keep the balance of flavors. What would you recommend?
Tiffany
That is such a bummer! You could do parsley or basil! 🙂
stacey
My BF hates cilantro so whenever I make this I always leave it out and don’t replace it with anything else. I’ve brought it to several functions without the cilantro, and every time, I’ve still been asked for the recipe.
caroline
do you think this would go well with crab cakes?
Carla
I am a big fan of cheese added to salads! What cheese do you think would best compliment this recipe, goat cheese, bleu cheese, suggestion? Thanks 🙂
Tiffany
Goat cheese and feta both work great in this recipe!!
Jane
Absolutely delightful!! Just made a double batch for small group potluck and there were no leftovers as most went back for seconds. I followed recipe exactly and then made one addition for extra crunch: a chopped apple.
1 to 100 Hindi
This looks amazing!
Carol
Where do I begin?? I am not a girl who falls in love with salad. I fall in love with sushi, or pizza, or ramen, or chocolate. But, this salad dressing is absolutely delicious! The salad, too! I used the thick teriyaki sauce from Aldi, and it’s as good as the Kikkoman thick sauce, which I love. I added a little grilled chicken, craisins, and sunflower seeds, and used tiny clementine sections instead of mandarin oranges. With tons of spinach, I made a huge salad, took it to work, and loved every bite. Bowtie pasta is perfect in this salad. I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow. Thanks for this easy and life-changing recipe!
Anne Haley
Thank you very much for this recipe! Made it last week and it was so delicious. The many layers of flavours are incredible! Your right about the dressing I keep looking for stuff to dip in it as well. Enjoy your recipes very much!
Susan
I want to make this pasta spinach salad for a party this weekend. I am having 40 people…….how do I change the recipe accordingly.
Jean
Yummy I b et grilled shrimp would be fantastic in here as well!
Tiffany
I completely agree!
kelly
I did make this, and you are right! The dressing is amazing and makes the salad! I am planning to make it again soon, and this time, I will make double the amount of dressing! Love love love it! I winner!
Cbhash
Hi
This salad is so yummy. I only eat whole foods so instead of the oil I ised 1/2 cup of cashews and instead of sugar I used maple syrup. I ran it through the Vitamix and had a nice creamy dressing with fatty goodness! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
June
I plan to make this tomorrow to take to a potluck party on Memorial Day. I am anxious to try it and also see how everyone likes it………by the way all your review look it should be a winner. Thanks……………june
Tiffany
I hope it’s a huge hit!
Judy
This is similar to a spinach & mandarin salad I’ve been making for years with onion, candied slivered almonds, & a sweet & sour dressing. Made your recipe for lunch today. Wow! Loved the new flavors. I’m going to try the leftovers for dinner, but add some leftover rotisserie chicken. Thanks for a day with almost no cooking at all. 🙂
Tiffany
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
Sandy
Several friends on facebook posted this recently so I made this tonight and it tasted really good but it seemed that there was too much dressing. I doubled checked the amounts of everything and I made it correctly. Do you use all of the dressing or just some of it?
Tiffany
Hi Sandy! I use all the dressing, but feel free to only use as much as you prefer! 🙂
mike
Is that 8 oz of cooked pasta? Making for over 20 people. Wondering how much dry bow tie pasta to cook? This will be a side dish at party
Tiffany
This is for 8 oz of dry pasta. 🙂
Gail
I’m not able to eat spinach or any other dark green leafy vegetables. Can you suggest any other vegetables that I can substitute. Thank you!
lois dynes
Hit print button but it won;t do anything. What am I doing wrong?
Bonita
This salad is amazing..we loved it, I used strawberries the third time I made it because I didn’t have mandarin oranges & I doubled the pasta, it’s a go to recipe….
Brian
Fabulous. I added soy-garlic marinated grilled chicken tenders for a complete meal.
Tiffany
YUM! So glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Brenda C.
I made a gluten-free version of this salad, and it was a big hit! I used a brown rice pasta and had my own homemade teriyaki sauce in the fridge to use, along with apple cider vinegar because I am allergic to white distilled vinegar. It was so good that I making it again for a potluck this weekend.
KP
Adding goat cheese makes this salad even BETTER!!
Helen
Cannot wait to try this!!! Two questions:
1. Can I make it a day in advance for the same great result?
2. If so, what should be refrigerated with what?
Please and thank you!!! 😀
Tiffany
Hi Helen! Yes, you can make this a day in advance. Just make it as the recipe says, but don’t add the dressing until the day you will be serving it. 🙂
Tandra
Have you made the salad without the addition of sugar? Would like to try if possible but don’t want to mess with perfection!
Marcia
After all the great reviews, I tried this for a birthday party. It was a hit and so delicious.
One guest asked to take some home..he took all that was left!
Judy
Whoops…..I grabbed the red wine vinegar instead of the rice vinegar. Tastes good though.
Robin
Made this tonight, you totally knocked it out id the park on this one. After reading all reviews, added cole slaw veggies, some romaine along with the spinach, used pecans because that’s all I had..just what I was looking for. Thank you and your Aunt for sharing this recipe.
Robin
Oops. Sorry, was thinking of another dish that their aunt had shared. This is awesome.
Erin McGrane
I haven’t made it yet, but I will use fresh minced garlic and shallot. Why the powdered stuff?
P.S. person who asked about adding sugar, there is PLENTY of sugar in Teriyaki Sauce.
Shannon
I am in LOVE with this salad. I can prep/buy all the ingredients at the beginning of the week and then I have a delicious lunch always ready. I have made this so many times it has become a go-to recipe for sure. I have used mini bow-tie pasta as well as whole wheat pasta and both worked great. I have used pine nuts, sunflower seeds and pecans, all of which add a wonderful crunch. I also add a sprinkle of feta cheese and it is a perfect addition if you can eat dairy. You MUST make this salad, it is just so yummy!!!
Joanne Cockayne
excellent salad, young children ate it up, spinach an all!!!
Made almost exactly as recipe suggests, forgot to add the cilantro (it is still in the fridge) but i bet it would be even better had I not had that glass of wine prior!
I was a little concerned about the dressing, but it was lovely. Hubby wants it again.
thanks
Gloria
I make a different version of this with strawberries, blue berries along with the mandarins and swap the pine nuts for pecans or walnuts. The dressing is absolutely delicious.
Anna Beemer
Delicious!! I am wondering if anyone worked up some nutritional numbers for this? Calories, protein count, etc?
Tiffany
Hi Anna – My Fitness Pal has a tool that will calculate nutritional information for any recipe.
TRISHA geide
Love yo recipes
Michelle Casey
Can’t wait to try this! Going back to my VEGETARIAN ways after the new year! Thanks for posting this.
Cindy Lou
i ADD BLUE CHEESE TOO…YUM!
Cindy Lou
and pickled beets…
Amy Lemay
i have made this, too many times to count, and each time i have added grilled shrimp, using the salad dressing to marinate the shrimp before cooking, and the same with steak, letting it marinate afew hrs before grilling, and adding it to the salad….my family scrapes the bowl
The style sisters
I was looking around the Internet and came across this recipe that is similar to mine and sure enough you mentioned that you were inspired by mine 😍 how sweet of you! Thank You!
Karin
Denise
nutritional values? would like to calcculate WW point value
Tiffany
Hi Denise – My Fitness Pal has a great tool that will calculate the nutritional information for any recipe on my website.
teresa
Just need clarification: is it one 14 oz. can of MANDARIN oranges or one 4oz. can. There is a space between the 1 and the 4, so I thought I would ask. I am not even sure they come in 4 oz. cans.
Tiffany
Hi Teresa – The recipe calls for one 4-ounce can of mandarin oranges. sorry for the confusion.
Sue hesano
Couldnt find teIyaki sauce so i bought kk teiyaki stir frY sauce. Its for a friend, think thiS will work?
Tiffany
That substitution should work just fine.
Crab Dynasty
I would use chopped walnuts and leave out cilantro. Looks sooo good
Denise Graff
This salad is SO good. I add grilled chicken to make it an entree dish. I also have added wonton strips for some crunch.
Tiffany
Wonton stripes is a great idea! I bet it was delicious! 😉
BarBara
This is a great salad. Only needed half the dressing. put cooked chicken and feta cheese in bowls on the side although the salad doesn’t need anything extra.
Tiffany
Chicken is delicious with this isn’t it?! Happy to hear that you loved it!
Cecilia E Ramirez
I really enjoyed making those salad with fruit and nuts and cheese and pasta love it.
Tiffany
So glad that you loved this!! This salad is one of my all time favorites!
Cheryl
Best pasta salad on the planet. Used pecans and dried cherries I had on hand. Fabulous. Making again today
Tiffany
I am a huge fan of pecans- I definitely need to try them on this pasta! This is my go-to dish for parties and other gatherings! Happy that you love it!
wendee madison
Can’t wait to make the spinach, orange, mandarin, pine nut salad
Tiffany
It’s so delicious! Definitely a fan favorite. I hope that you love it!
Healthy Eating
Mandarin teriyaki? Looks pretty good. I’m bookmarking this for my healthy salads. Really trying hard to stay healthy!
Tiffany
I hope that you loved it!! It’s my favorite salad that I’ve done yet!
Nihat
One of my favorites. I substitute parsley for cilantro since I grow it during the summer.
Tiffany
Fresh parsley- that sounds so great! Thanks for sharing!
Susan
Hello. I’ve subscribed but can’t get your recipe’s to pin for me? Is there a reason?
Tiffany
Hi Susan- shoot! I have NO idea what is going on! You should be able to pin all of my recipes. I will look into things on my end, however, in the meantime, you can try looking up the pins on my cremedelacrumb Pinterest account. All of my blog recipes are on there and have their own category!
Janice
Twelve on a scale of ten! Omg!
Tiffany
Hi Janice! So glad that you love this SO much! This may just be my most favorite salad on my entire site! 🙂
Shaban Prela
Very very nice thank you.
Margie
What’s the nutritional value?
Tiffany
Hi Margie- I recommend using My Fitness Pal. They have an awesome online tool (that is free!) where you can input any recipe URL and it will generate the nutritional values for you! Hope you love this dish! 🙂
Carole
This was very good. loved it
Tiffany
Hi Carole- happy to hear you loved this salad! It is hands down, my most favorite salad on here!! 🙂
Lisa
Made mine with tomato, red pepper, PURPLE onion, and chicken. Delicious.
Tiffany
Lisa- sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing! 🙂