Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad combining tropical fruits and fresh spinach tossed in a zesty citrus dressing for a light, nutrient-packed vegan dish. This international-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes pairs baby spinach leaves, mango, papaya into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 2 International cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups baby spinach, 1 cup diced mango, 1 cup diced papaya, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp orange juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp agave syrup, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the dressing emulsifies and becomes slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: Pour the citrus dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the fruit and vegetables evenly.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately as a fresh vegan salad full of tropical flavors and bright colors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep baby spinach leaves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Vegan Tropical Fruit and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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