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Put your senses in vacation mode with this Caribbean salad drizzled with honey lime dressing made famous by Disney's 'Ohana restaurant. Pineapple, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, cilantro, green onions, and more will tantalize your taste buds.
Kick off your shoes. You're in for a treat!
I don't want to rush things because spring is a perfectly lovely time of year. But, I'm ready for a relaxing summer vacation. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles before me, including the end-of-school-year hustle and bustle.
Luckily, I discovered a way to transport my senses, if only for the dinner hour, to paradise.
Caribbean salad with honey lime dressing...take me away!
For some reason, I'm on island time when feasting on tender salad greens mingled with fresh pineapple chunks, mandarin orange segments and dried cranberries. (I am partial to butter lettuce, but mixed greens would be nice too.)
Cilantro and green onions add another delicious flavor dimension.
And, then there is the eye appeal of sesame and Chia seeds. Aren't they festive? They add to the mood that I'm trying to set with this salad.
Not to mention, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate the powerhouse Chia seed into meals other than my morning oatmeal!
I'm still obsessing over the honey lime dressing served at Disney’s ‘Ohana restaurant at the Polynesian resort. I used a version of this recipe, minus the onions, in Quinoa Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing. For this salad, the onion adds just the right zing to the dressing.
Or, you can use shallots, like the orange blossom honey mustard dressing drizzled over summer fennel salad with watermelon bits.
The salad pictured is topped with black beans for a vegetarian dish. Add whatever protein suits your fancy. Next time, I might add blackened honey chicken or Margarita Shrimp. 🙂
I'm imagining a fancy drink with a little pink umbrella, warm breezes and sand between my toes. Ahhh...all thanks to this easy Caribbean salad.
Pin it to your salad board:
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Caribbean Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 cups salad greens I used butter lettuce
- 2 cups pineapple cut into small cubes
- 2 cups mandarin orange segments packed in water
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 bunch green onions sliced
- 4 teaspoons Chia seeds
- 4 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 2 cups black beans chicken, shrimp or your favorite protein
Honey Lime Dressing
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ cup canola oil, organic and cold-pressed
- 1 Tablespoons onion finely diced or grated
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
- Layer salad greens, pineapple, mandarin orange segments, cranberries, cilantro and green onion between 4 plates or in a large bowl.
- To make the honey lime dressing, add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad.
- Sprinkle Chia seeds and sesame seeds over the top.
- Top with black beans or desired protein.
Lea says
Quick question. This salad looks great and I need to make it for a Caribbean-themed dinner party in a few weeks. There are already dishes planned that have chicken, shrimp and also a black bean curry. So-o-o-o ... what other 'protein' can I add that would work? Or, should I just make it a 'fruit' salad and leave it at that. Will it work well as just a fruit salad?
Marjory Pilley says
Hi! Love the menu! I would just leave the beans off! It has a variety of tastes and textures and would be perfect as a side salad. Enjoy!
MsCW says
Yum! Can EVOO be substituted for the canola oil? Also, how far ahead can this be made before it gets soggy? Thanks!
Marjory Pilley says
A mild oil is needed. Avocado oil would work too. Olive oil is usually too strong. Wait to add the dressing at serving time. However you can assemble everything else a few hours earlier for the best result.
Eric Snyder says
This recipe is so good!!!! I searched for Jerk chicken side dishes and that's where I found you. The Jerk Chicken I grilled from Grocery Outlet was great, but what stole the show was your salad recipe. I used salad greens from our garden and used MCT oil instead of Canola, and added mint cause we had extra, everything else was according to your recipe. I'm so happy, this is now in our regular rotation. Thank you So Much!
Marjory Pilley says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Corey says
Going to make the salad and dressing this weekend for a Caribbean themed party I am throwing. Just one question, what kind of onion did you use for the salad dressing? Just a regular yellow onion or something else?
Marjory says
Hi! A yellow onion or...a Vidalia sweet onion is really nice this time of year. Best wishes for a fantastic party!
Tonya at Caribbean Food says
You had me at Ohana. Love all the food there. Great use of the dressing and making this full of Caribbean Flavor.
Marjory says
Thank you so much! Ohana is awesome!
Tina says
Making this recipe for a group dinner tonight. Theme is Caribbean. My question is : could nuts be added (which ones would be good?) Also, some kind of cheese appropriate??
Need answer ASAP since dinner is this evening.
Thanks so much, Marjory.
Marjory says
Hi! You can definitely add nuts such as almonds or pecans. Coconut flakes are nice addition nice too. I looove cheese. But, I'm not quite sure what you would add, possibly goat cheese or Monterey Jack...I'd put it on the side! Hope you have a wonderful evening!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
I'm all over salads lately and this one looks so fresh! Pinning and trying soon!
Marjory says
Thanks Deb! I crave salads more than usual this time of year!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Beautiful Salad. And you bet, it sings Summer.
Tara says
That looks so delicious, I could eat it now for breakfast!!!
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
I'm with you on the whole spring thing only because the weather won't make up its mind and STICK with spring! Every time I think we've finally warmed up for real, the temps plummet again. I think it would help if you'd pass me a plate of salad. 🙂
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
Perfect summer salad, the honey lime dressing looks amazing! 🙂
Kim Beaulieu says
This is one seriously gorgeous salad. Love the dressing. I have to admit I'm a sucker for mandarin oranges. Big time.
Marly says
There's nothing better than a refreshing salad. This one looks great!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
The Poly resort is one of my faves and that salad looks so scrumptious! I love how you incorporated Chia seeds into it 🙂
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
Mmmm, I could totally go for this right about now 🙂
Paula - bell'alimento says
This sounds so refreshing!
Susan says
Summer vacation. That term sounds so foreign now that I no longer get it! Oh well, guess I'll just have summery salads and dream of those days long gone! I need to get on that chia train too. I love it in my granola but haven't tried it elsewhere.
Nutmeg Nanny says
What a totally delicious looking salad! Love that honey lime dressing...yum!
Marjory says
Thank you! I've been using the dressing on just about everything these days!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Well, wouldn't you know...I just bought a pound of chia seeds and need something else to use them in besides pudding. Huzzah!
Marjory says
Lol! I have pudding on my to-do list!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
Love using apple cider vinegar in a dressing and with lime, yummo!
Marjory says
Thanks Brenda! I love that combo too!