Simple Spring Mix Salad
This Simple Spring Mix Salad is the ultimate no-fuss, no-cook recipe that delivers big on freshness and flavor. Tender baby greens are topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber slices, shaved Parmesan, and crunchy croutons, then finished with a bright homemade lemon vinaigrette that ties everything together beautifully. It comes together in just 10 minutes and works perfectly as a light side dish or the base for a more substantial meal.
Equipment
- Large salad bowl For assembling and tossing the salad
- Small mixing bowl or jar with lid For whisking or shaking the lemon vinaigrette
- Whisk or fork For emulsifying the dressing
- Sharp knife and cutting board For slicing cucumber and halving cherry tomatoes
- Measuring spoons For accurate dressing measurements
- Salad tongs or two large spoons For tossing and serving
- Salad spinner (optional) For drying the spring mix greens thoroughly after rinsing
- Colander For rinsing the spring mix and cherry tomatoes
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 5 oz spring mix lettuce about 142g; rinsed and thoroughly dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes about 150g; halved
- ½ English cucumber about 150g; thinly sliced into rounds, approximately ¼ inch thick
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese about 20g; use a vegetable peeler or Microplane for thin shavings
- ¼ cup croutons about 15g; added just before serving to preserve crunch
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil about 45ml
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice about 22ml; from approximately 1 medium lemon; bottled juice not recommended
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard acts as an emulsifier to help bind the dressing
- salt to taste; start with a small pinch and adjust
- black pepper to taste; freshly cracked preferred
Instructions
- Rinse the spring mix under cold running water and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels — wet greens will dilute the dressing. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the cucumber into thin rounds about ¼ inch thick.
- In a small bowl or sealed jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper, then whisk vigorously or shake for 15–20 seconds until the dressing is emulsified and slightly creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add the dried spring mix to a large salad bowl, then layer the halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and shaved Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Drizzle about two-thirds of the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently with tongs, adding more dressing as needed until the greens are lightly coated. Scatter the croutons on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Dry your spring mix thoroughly before assembling — any moisture on the leaves will dilute the dressing and cause the greens to wilt faster.
- Always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best flavor in the vinaigrette. Bottled juice lacks the brightness of freshly squeezed.
- Dress the salad right before serving. Once dressed, the greens will start to wilt within 20–30 minutes.
- Add the croutons at the very last moment so they stay crunchy. Never add them to a dressed salad in advance.
- To make the dressing ahead, store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before each use as the oil and lemon juice will separate.
- For a gluten-free version, swap the croutons for toasted pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds.
- To make this a full meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, canned salmon, or roasted chickpeas on top.
- Store undressed salad components separately in the fridge — greens and prepped vegetables will keep for up to 1 day and 3 days respectively. Do not store dressed salad.
- Chill your salad bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before assembling to keep the greens extra crisp.
- If the dressing tastes too sharp, balance it with a small drizzle of honey. If you want more tang, add a little extra lemon juice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 8mg
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