Simple Spring Mix Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette: Light, Crisp, and Delicious
A fresh spring mix salad is a great way to add color and crunch to your meal. This simple recipe combines crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette for a dish that’s both easy and satisfying. It’s versatile, quick to prepare, and pairs well with any meal.
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Spring mix salad combines fresh greens like baby lettuce and spinach with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and nuts. The combination of crisp vegetables and creamy feta provides a satisfying texture and flavor.
This salad comes together quickly and works well as a side dish or a light meal. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing adds the perfect balance of tangy and sweet to complete the dish. With just a few fresh ingredients and a homemade dressing, this is the kind of salad that feels effortless but never boring.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Ready in just minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Fresh and vibrant: Packed with crisp, tender greens and colorful vegetables.
- Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit your taste or what you have available.
- Balanced flavors: The tangy balsamic vinaigrette complements the creamy feta and crunchy nuts.
- Versatile: Pairs well with a variety of mains, making it a great addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Spring mix: A blend of tender greens like baby lettuce, spinach, and arugula provides a mild, fresh flavor and crisp texture. Feel free to swap it with other greens like kale or romaine.
Feta cheese: Adds creaminess and a tangy flavor that complements the vegetables. You can use goat cheese or a dairy-free option for a different flavor.
Balsamic vinaigrette dressing: Made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, this dressing brings a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. It enhances the salad without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Spring Mix Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the spring mix, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, nuts, and dried cranberries.
- In another small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- The fresher your greens and vegetables, the better the salad will taste. Look for vibrant, crisp greens and ripe tomatoes.
- Toss the dressing just before serving: To keep the salad crisp, add the dressing right before serving rather than letting it sit on the salad. This prevents wilting.
- You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just give it a quick shake before using.
Serving Suggestions
- For a Potluck or Picnic: This spring mix salad travels well, especially if you keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving.
- As a side dish or light lunch: Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables for a light and balanced meal.
- With pasta: Pair this salad with pasta dishes like spaghetti or pasta primavera.
- With sandwiches or wraps: It complements a variety of sandwiches, wraps, or burgers, providing a crisp, refreshing side.
- For meal prep: This salad is excellent for meal prep. Keep the dressing separate and toss it with the salad just before eating to maintain freshness.
More Salad Recipes
- Simple, fresh, and bursting with flavor—this Italian Chopped Salad is everything you need for a quick, satisfying meal. Chop, toss, and dig in!
- This broccoli salad with bacon and cheddar is packed with crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful dressing. It’s an easy side dish that’s great for meal prep, family dinners, or bringing to a potluck.
- This raw carrot salad is crisp, refreshing, and packed with sweet and tangy flavors. A simple no-cook dish that comes together in minutes, perfect as a side or a light snack.
- Fresh, light, and full of flavor—this Garden Salad with Calamari is exactly what your weeknight dinners have been missing. With vibrant veggies and perfectly tender calamari, this salad is satisfying without being heavy.
- Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor—these Easter salad recipes are the perfect addition to your holiday table! From crisp greens to creative sides, these spring salads bring a pop of color and a whole lot of deliciousness to your Easter feast.
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Equipment
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups spring mix a blend of baby lettuces, spinach, and other tender greens
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cucumber sliced
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecan
- ¼ cup dried cranberries optional
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the spring mix, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, nuts, and dried cranberries.
- In another small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The fresher your greens and vegetables, the better the salad will taste. Look for vibrant, crisp greens and ripe tomatoes.
- Toss the dressing just before serving: To keep the salad crisp, add the dressing right before serving rather than letting it sit on the salad. This prevents wilting.
- You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just give it a quick shake before using.
