Elegant Fruit-Cheese Salad
A vibrant and refreshing fruit-cheese salad featuring crisp lettuce, sharp cheddar, sweet mandarin oranges, and creamy avocado, perfect for light lunches or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 2 large heads lettuce, torn ⓘ
- 4 oz. sliced sharp Cheddar cheese, cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced celery
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/3 cup wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons grated onion ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin orange sections
- 1 (8 oz.) can jellied cranberry sauce, chilled and cubed ⓘ
- 1 medium avocado, peeled and sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine lettuce, cheese, and celery in a large salad bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, wine vinegar, sugar, grated onion, dry mustard, and salt.
- Pour the dressing over the lettuce mixture to coat lightly.
- Toss the salad gently to combine.
- Add mandarin orange sections, cubed cranberry sauce, and sliced avocado to the salad.
- Toss gently again to incorporate all ingredients.
- Pass the remaining dressing on the side for serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier dressing, consider adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream. If you prefer a lighter option, substitute olive oil for vegetable oil. You can also replace sharp Cheddar with a milder cheese like Monterey Jack. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can add a delightful twist to the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Elegant Fruit-Cheese Salad is perfect for brunch or as a light lunch. It pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a bowl of soup, such as Two Bean Chowder. For a festive touch, serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal that balances flavors and textures.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the salad fresh, consider storing the dressing separately. If the salad becomes soggy, you can refresh it by adding a handful of fresh lettuce and a bit more dressing when ready to serve.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Elegant Fruit-Cheese Salad contains roughly 189 calories, with 4g protein, 6g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (22% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 809mg per serving (35% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the lettuce from wilting. If using avocado, consider adding it just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
What can I substitute for mandarin oranges?
If you can't find mandarin oranges, feel free to use fresh orange segments or canned peach slices as a substitute. Both options will provide a sweet, juicy element to the salad. Alternatively, you could use berries for a different flavor profile.
How can I make this salad vegetarian-friendly?
This salad is already vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat. However, to enhance protein content, consider adding chickpeas or nuts like walnuts or pecans. These additions will complement the other ingredients beautifully while maintaining the salad's elegant appeal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).