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Spring Mix Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Fresh spring mix salad with lemon vinaigrette in a bright homemade close up

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A vibrant, crisp salad featuring fresh spring mix tossed in a perfectly balanced, emulsified lemon vinaigrette. This recipe celebrates simplicity and seasonal joy, making it a versatile side or light meal. Mastering the vinaigrette technique ensures every leaf is coated in bright, fresh flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For the Salad Base:
  • 5 oz (about 8 cups) fresh spring mix greens
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced or chopped
  • 1/4 of a small red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the vinaigrette first. In a small bowl or jar with a lid, combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until well blended.
  2. Emulsify the dressing. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously, or add all oil to the jar and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until thickened and unified. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Prep the vegetables. Wash and thoroughly dry the spring mix greens. Halve the tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. For milder onion, soak slices in ice water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
  4. Assemble and toss. In a large salad bowl, combine spring mix, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle about half of the vinaigrette over the top. Gently toss to coat evenly, adding more dressing as needed. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese just before serving.

Notes

Ensure greens are completely dry for the vinaigrette to cling properly. Dress the salad immediately before serving to prevent wilting. Leftover vinaigrette can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; shake well before using.

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