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A refreshing twist on a classic, this spinach salad combines the sweetness of mandarin oranges with the rich, savory warmth of a bacon dressing. It’s the perfect balance of bright and bold flavors for any season.

🍴 Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)

For the Bacon Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons bacon drippings (from cooking)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

🔥 Instructions
Cook the Bacon:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings.

Make the Dressing:
To the warm drippings, add vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and emulsified. Keep warm.

Assemble the Salad:
In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, mandarin oranges, red onion, almonds, and sliced eggs if using.

Dress and Serve:
Drizzle warm bacon dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Top with crispy bacon and serve immediately.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Zesty Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Warm Bacon Dressing

• 🥓 Premium Thick-Cut Bacon – Great for that deep smoky flavor and perfect bacon drippings
• 🍊 Mandarin Oranges in Juice, 6-Pack – Sweet and juicy, ready to toss into your salad
• 🍳 Cast Iron Skillet – Ideal for rendering bacon and making warm vinaigrettes
• 🥄 Mini Whisk Set – Essential for perfectly mixing your bacon dressing
• 🥗 Large Glass Salad Bowl – Sleek and spacious for tossing and serving
• 🧅 Adjustable Mandoline Slicer – Quickly slice onions and other veggies to perfect thinness

💡 Helpful Tip: For extra crunch and flavor, try adding crispy wonton strips or crumbled feta to this salad. A splash of fresh orange juice in the dressing can also enhance the citrusy notes.