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Fresh Spring Mix Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

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A quick and easy fresh spring mix salad tossed with a sweet and tangy honey balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for light lunches, picnics, or as a vibrant side dish.

Ingredients

  • Spring mix greens (baby lettuces, arugula, baby spinach, radicchio)
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Cucumber, sliced
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • Toasted pecans or walnuts
  • Extra virgin olive oil (⅓ cup / 80 ml)
  • Balsamic vinegar (3 tablespoons / 45 ml)
  • Honey (1 tablespoon / 15 ml)
  • Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon / 5 ml)
  • Fresh garlic, minced (1 small clove)
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (¼ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Rinse spring mix greens thoroughly under cold water. Spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with towels until crisp (about 5 minutes).
  2. Slice cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice red onion, and cut cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons (about 5 minutes).
  3. Toast pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool (about 5 minutes).
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
  5. In a large bowl, add dried greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle about half the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Add more dressing if desired (about 3 minutes).
  6. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts over the top. Toss gently or leave toppings on for presentation (about 2 minutes).
  7. Serve immediately. If making ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Dry greens thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Toast nuts separately and add just before serving for crunch. Whisk or shake vinaigrette well to emulsify. Dressing can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge. For vegan option, omit cheese and substitute honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: spring mix salad, honey balsamic vinaigrette, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-spring-mix-salad-with-honey-balsamic-vinaigrette-easy-homemade-recipe/