Salad needs to be exciting for me to want to eat it. This mixed greens salad ticks all the boxes with a bit of crunch + lots of strawberries. Don't be intimidated by the fact that a mixed greens recipe has a little bit of everything in it... these greens all have different flavors that come together for a tasty lunch.
Who says a mixed greens recipe has to be boring? Not me!
Well, at least not me anymore. I used to cringe at mixed greens... yet I realized not all salads are created equal. Take this gem for instance. This mixed greens recipe is filled with a nutrient-rich leafy green base, tangy green apple, creamy avocado, and crunchy almonds. Seriously, this salad is the perfect way to fuel your body with tons of plant based goodness!
What to do with mixed greens
Making a salad that actually tastes good only takes a few key elements: fresh greens, toppings and a good dressing. As a result, the days of ranch on iceberg are over for good! Hallelujah!
Why are leafy greens good for you?
Did you know you can get not only nutrients, but also water, minerals and fiber from an awesome salad of mixed greens like this one? Obviously these are some pretty powerful plants!
According to a study done by Harvard, greens like kale, spinach and arugula are powerhouses when it comes to providing you with nutrients like Vitamin A, folate and Vitamin C - plus fiber, water and magnesium to help your digestion. Meanwhile, you just thought you were enjoying a yummy bowl of mixed greens topped with your fav homemade dressing. Go you!
To wash or not to wash?
There is a great deal of debate on whether or not you should wash greens before using. Haven't we all been there? You show up to a friend's house for dinner, excited to get in the kitchen to help - only to be mortified to see her dump a plastic box of greens into a bowl for tonight's salad. If it's pre-washed, then is it okay? What about organic?
Turns out, if your packaging states those lovely mixed greens have been pre-washed by a company that uses GMP or "good manufacturing processes", you're good to go.
That's according to most sources, including an article published by the University of Minnesota. On the other hand, a recent study done by Consumer Reports says that we should all be washing any produce that comes into our cooking spaces, whether "pre-washed", organic or otherwise. This is because even those mixed greens carefully washed by well meaning producers can still contain contaminants from ewwwie poo-ies (E. coli, etc.), chemicals and more.
After reading that, um...would you excuse me one sec while I wash up some leafy stuff for this mixed greens recipe?
How to take your salads on the go
Now, back to the reason we're here. On with the salad! The strawberry herb dressing included in the recipe below is ah-mazing. Seriously, I could drink it.
If you want these greens to travel, then you can prep your salad ahead of time in a mason jar. It's seriously so easy! Simply layer the ingredients in the mason jar, but store the (yummy, strawberry) dressing in a separate container. When you're ready to eat, pour the dressing on, give the mason jar a good shake, and enjoy!
More simple salad recipes
Does this recipe have you jonesing for more fresh ways to use those mixed greens in your fridge? Yeah, me too. If you're ready more crunch and more yummy homemade dressings, here's a list of my favs for you!
- Pear Salad with Pomegranate
- Hearty Mason Jar Salad
- Healthy Taco Salad
- Vegan Salad with Spiralized Sweet Potatoes
- Strawberry Arugula Salad
- Berry Salad
If you give one of these or the recipe below a taste, then let me know by rating and commenting below!
Mixed Greens Salad
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
FOR SALAD:
- 2 cups mixed greens (loosely packed)
- ½ cup cucumber (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup apple (green, diced)
- ½ avocado (sliced or diced)
- 2 tablespoon almonds (sliced)
FOR DRESSING:
- ½ cup strawberries (diced)
- 1 tablespoon basil (fresh, roughly chopped)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon lemon (juice)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- pinch sea salt
- pinch black pepper (ground, to taste)
Instructions
- Arrange salad ingredients on a large plate.
- Puree the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Drizzle some of the dressing over salad (you may not need all of it). Eat immediately.
Notes
- Sub in 2 cups of spinach or 1 cup spinach, 1 cup baby kale for 2 cups mixed greens
Stacia Frazier
I can't wait to make this at dinner...sounds great! I'm a fan of mixed greens!
Laurie
Great recipe. Just wondering where the team fat is coming from.
Laurie
*trans fat
Vickie
I enjoyed it, nice combination of sweet and crunchy. I would make it again.
LoveToSalad
This salad is like a breath of spring, especially wonderful if you live where the snow is still blowing! The colors make this an especially beautiful plate but it is the wonderful dressing that really won my tastebuds.
I did cheat a bit by browning the almonds in just a wee bit of butter, but liked that toasty bit in there, too.
YUM!
Simple Green Smoothies
Sounds delicious! 🙂
Jules
Great combination of flavors and textures. Very satisfying and delicious!
Lynda
I was so excited, I started the challenge early. This is a salad I can see doing again. It's tasty and easy. Strawberries were expensive and sad looking so I used frozen ones and that worked great. I put extra almonds in and a hardboiled egg for protein.
It was about a meal and a half for this ultra runner so I added more greens and made the rest a side salad to my next meal.
Matthew
Not big on fruit or nuts in a green salad but this is a good recipe.
B
I have enjoyed this salad and am looking forward to making the other nine salads!
Ruthe Maison
Mixed Greens the best Summer Salad, magnificent flavor & Healthy!
Erin Smith
This salad was delicious! Love the crunch of the apple and the dressing was my fav part!
Debb
Loved this salad and the dressing was so delicious! Definitely adding to our favorites and will be making again and again!
Judy
We eat a slightly different version of this salad several times a week. It never disappoints!
Gina
Delish! I Love homemade dressings and this was great! Healthy at its best!
Jules
Great combination of flavors and textures. Very satisfying and delicious!
Chetna
Such a healthful, delicious, and wholesome recipe! I used blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in lieu of strawberries to maximize the fiber and nutrition content of this awesome recipe.
Alyssa
Loved the use of the strawberries in the dressing! I’ve never done that before and I will definitely be making this salad again!