An Easy Green Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and healthy dish that’s perfect for any meal. Packed with a variety of leafy greens, crisp vegetables, and a simple dressing, this salad is a quick and easy way to incorporate more nutrients into your day. It’s light, refreshing, and customizable, allowing you to add your favorite ingredients or toppings to make it your own. Whether you’re serving it as a side or as a main, this salad is always a crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Easy Green Salad is incredibly versatile and takes just minutes to prepare. The combination of fresh greens like spinach, lettuce, and arugula provides a variety of textures and nutrients, while the simple dressing ties everything together with a light, tangy flavor. It’s a great base for any meal, whether you’re serving it with grilled chicken, fish, or enjoying it as a healthy lunch on its own. Plus, you can easily add extras like nuts, seeds, or cheese to make it more filling and flavorful.

Easy Green Salad

Ingredients

4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and lettuce)
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup carrots, julienned or shredded (optional)
1/4 cup avocado, sliced (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry the mixed greens. Slice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion. If using, shred or julienne the carrots and slice the avocado.
Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and carrots (if using). If adding avocado, add it on top for a creamy texture.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Toss the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, making sure all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Serve: Serve immediately as a side dish or enjoy it as a light main course. You can also top it with nuts, seeds, cheese, or your favorite protein for a more filling meal.

Servings and timing

Servings: 2-4
Prep time: 5-10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Variations

Add protein: For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or tofu. You can also add hard-boiled eggs or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
Add cheese: Top the salad with crumbled feta, goat cheese, or shredded Parmesan for added richness and flavor.
Nuts and seeds: Add toasted almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for crunch and extra nutrients.
Fruit: Toss in some fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, apples, or grapes for a sweet contrast.
Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro for added flavor and freshness.

Storage/reheating

Storage: This salad is best served fresh, but you can store the dressing separately and keep the salad ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Add the dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Reheating: This salad is meant to be served cold, so no reheating is needed.

FAQs

1. Can I use different greens for this salad?

Yes, you can use any combination of leafy greens like Romaine lettuce, kale, baby kale, or mixed spring greens. Just make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly.

2. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time, but it’s best to wait to add the dressing until just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting.

3. How can I make this salad more filling?

Add extra protein, like grilled chicken, beans, or tofu. You can also add nuts, seeds, or a hard-boiled egg for added protein and healthy fats.

4. What dressing options can I use besides the vinaigrette?

You can use any dressing you like, such as ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, tahini dressing, or a yogurt-based dressing.

5. Can I add other vegetables to this salad?

Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, cucumber, radishes, or even roasted vegetables for added flavor and texture.

6. Can I use bottled dressing?

Yes, if you prefer convenience, bottled dressing works well. Just choose one that fits your flavor preferences or dietary needs.

7. Can I add grains like quinoa or couscous to the salad?

Yes! Adding cooked quinoa, couscous, or brown rice can make the salad more substantial and turn it into a meal on its own.

8. Is this salad vegan?

Yes, this salad is naturally vegan. To keep it vegan, make sure the dressing doesn’t contain any dairy, and choose a plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas.

9. Can I use different fruits for this salad?

Yes! You can add fruits like apples, pears, pomegranate seeds, or citrus fruits like oranges for a fresh, sweet contrast to the savory ingredients.

10. How can I make this salad spicier?

You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing or top the salad with sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.

Conclusion

This Easy Green Salad is the perfect way to enjoy fresh vegetables, vibrant flavors, and a healthy, nutrient-packed dish in just a few minutes. It’s light yet satisfying and offers endless customization options to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or enjoying it as a main, this easy salad is a delicious and refreshing way to incorporate more greens into your meals.

Chef MARTHA