A fresh and colorful Mixed Greens Salad with Basic Vinaigrette is the easiest way to upgrade your meal with vibrant vegetables and a simple homemade dressing. If you’re looking for a more hearty salad option, be sure to check out our Salmon Salad for another option that’s perfect for summer.
Easy Side Salad
This salad brings crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and pepitas together. The whole salad is tossed in a tangy vinaigrette that takes just minutes to shake up. Whether you’re serving it as a side or enjoying it on its own, this recipe is light, nutritious, and versatile.
Ingredient Tips & Variations
- Mixed Greens: Use a combination of spinach, arugula, and spring mix, or substitute with romaine or kale for extra crunch.
- Pepitas: Swap pepitas with sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, or sliced almonds for a different texture and flavor.
- Vinaigrette: Prefer a sweeter dressing? Add a bit more honey or swap the red wine vinegar for balsamic vinegar for a deeper flavor. Or, change it up completely and try a few of our favorites like avocado ranch, Greek vinaigrette, or classic Caesar dressing.
Make Ahead & Storage
You can prep all the side salad components in advance and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The vinaigrette will keep for up to a week when stored in a sealed jar—just give it a good shake before using. Toss the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
Side Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens, rinsed and dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- ⅓ cup pepitas
Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, add mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and pepitas. Toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently with tongs or clean hands to evenly coat the greens, vegetables, and pepitas.
- Serve immediately for the freshest taste and best texture.
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