Bright Garden Fresh Mixed Greens Salad Recipe for Spring
Summer’s bounty bursts with vibrant colors in this garden fresh mixed greens salad that celebrates seasonal produce.
Crisp, tender leaves dance with ripe vegetables straight from local soil.
Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and flavors that sing of sunshine and fertile earth.
Light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients, the salad brings farm-to-table magic to your plate.
Delicate herbs and garden-picked ingredients mingle in a harmonious blend.
fresh ingredients create a dish that feels both simple and sophisticated.
Let this colorful salad become your new warm-weather favorite.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 180 kcal
Servings: 5
What’s in Garden Fresh Mixed Greens Salad
For Base Greens:
Mixed Greens: Crisp and vibrant salad foundation that provides a nutritious canvas with varied textures and subtle flavors.
Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds a clean, peppery note and boosts the salad's visual appeal.
Fresh Cilantro: Zesty herb delivering a bold, citrusy undertone that elevates the overall taste profile.
Green Onions: Crunchy aromatics that introduce a mild, sharp kick to complement the softer greens.
For Textural Crunch:
Almonds: Protein-packed nutty elements that provide delightful crispness and earthy depth to each bite.
For Creamy Accents:
Goat Cheese: Tangy, silky cheese that adds luxurious richness (easily omitted for vegan preferences).
Avocado: Buttery, nutrient-dense fruit that contributes smooth texture and healthy fats.
For Dressing:
Lemon Honey Vinaigrette: Bright, balanced dressing that ties all ingredients together with sweet-tart harmony.
Tools for Tossing a Mixed Greens Salad
Chef's Knife: Sharp, essential for finely chopping herbs, green onions, and almonds.
Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safe and easy ingredient preparation.
Large Salad Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and tossing all salad ingredients.
Measuring Cup: Helps accurately drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad.
Mixing Spoon or Tongs: Perfect for gently tossing and coating ingredients with dressing.
Salad Assembly Instructions
Ingredient Harmony Gathering the freshest mixed greens, herbs, and delightful accompaniments creates the foundation for an extraordinary salad experience.
Texture Symphony Finely chopping almonds, parsley, and green onions introduces layers of crunch and aromatic flavor that will dance across your palate.
Botanical Blend In a spacious bowl, elegantly combine the mixed greens with the delicate herbs, nutty almonds, and creamy goat cheese, allowing each ingredient to complement the others.
Avocado Crown Gracefully place smooth avocado slices atop the verdant landscape, adding a luxurious richness that elevates the entire composition.
Zesty Finale Drizzle the bright Lemon Honey Vinaigrette over the salad, gently tossing to ensure every leaf and morsel is kissed with tangy, sweet notes that bring the entire creation to life.
Ideas for Dressings & Crunch Add-Ons
Salad Savvy Secrets: Fresh Flavor Boosters for Your Mixed Greens
Green Swap Magic: Replace goat cheese with feta or blue cheese for a different tangy profile that transforms the entire salad's flavor experience.
Protein Power Play: Toss grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu on top to turn this light salad into a satisfying complete meal that keeps you full longer.
Crunch Factor Upgrade: Mix in toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or candied pecans instead of almonds for unexpected texture and nutty depth that delights every bite.
Season Sensations: Sprinkle dried herbs like oregano or za'atar over the salad to introduce Mediterranean-inspired taste notes that elevate the entire dish's complexity.
Storage Smart Move: Keep dressing and salad ingredients separate until serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp vegetables, ensuring maximum freshness for leftovers or packed lunches.
How to Serve Greens the Garden Way
Sunlight Social Feast: Serve this vibrant salad during an outdoor brunch or afternoon garden party where fresh, light flavors shine beautifully.
Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, salmon, or seared shrimp on top to transform this salad into a complete and satisfying meal packed with nutrients.
Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different soft cheeses like feta or blue cheese to customize the flavor profile and add extra richness to the mixed greens base.
Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the tangy vinaigrette and fresh herbs with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio for an elevated dining experience.
Prep Tips for Mixed Greens Storage
Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Chop vegetables and toast almonds a day ahead to streamline salad assembly. Store ingredients separately in airtight containers, keeping greens and wet ingredients apart to maintain crispness.
Refrigerator Storage Savvy: Keep dressed salad separate from undressed components. Goat cheese and avocado should be added right before serving to prevent browning and maintain optimal texture. Store vinaigrette in a sealed jar for up to 5 days.
Smart Portion Control: This salad serves 2-3 people. Prepare individual portions in mason jars for easy grab-and-go lunches. Layer ingredients strategically with dressing at the bottom to prevent soggy greens.
Ingredient Substitution Tips: No goat cheese? Try feta or ricotta. Missing almonds? Swap with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Customize according to your pantry and dietary preferences while maintaining the salad's fresh, vibrant profile.
Culinary enthusiasts will adore this garden fresh mixed greens salad recipe that combines crisp vegetables with tangy vinaigrette. Mediterranean herbs and seasonal produce create a light, refreshing meal you can enjoy at any summer gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
6–8 cups (1.4–1.9 L) mixed greens
1 small avocado, sliced
¼ cup (60 mL) goat cheese, crumbled
⅓ cup (45 g) almonds, chopped
4 tbsps fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup (60 mL) green onions, chopped
⅓–½ cup (80–120 mL) lemon honey vinaigrette
Instructions
Vinaigrette Preparation: Whisk lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified, creating a vibrant and smooth dressing that will complement the salad’s complex flavors.
Ingredient Preparation: Finely chop almonds, mince parsley, cilantro, and green onions with precision, ensuring uniform pieces that will distribute evenly throughout the salad.
Salad Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, create a lush base of mixed greens, spreading them evenly to provide a fresh and crisp canvas for the remaining ingredients.
Herbal and Nutty Layer: Generously sprinkle chopped herbs and almond fragments across the greens, introducing layers of aromatic and textural complexity to the dish.
Creamy Elements: Delicately crumble goat cheese over the salad, allowing soft white clusters to nestle between leaves, and arrange avocado slices strategically to add a rich, buttery dimension.
Final Composition: Drizzle the prepared Lemon Honey Vinaigrette over the salad, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is lightly coated and the flavors are harmoniously blended, creating a vibrant and refreshing culinary experience.
Notes
Chop Carefully: Use sharp knife and cutting board to create uniform, small pieces of almonds, parsley, and green onions for even flavor distribution.
Layer Strategically: Build salad in a spacious bowl, starting with mixed greens as a foundation, then artfully arranging herbs, nuts, cheese, and avocado.
Dress Delicately: Drizzle Lemon Honey Vinaigrette sparingly, tossing gently to coat ingredients without drowning the salad’s delicate textures.
Serve Immediately: Prepare just before serving to maintain crisp greens, crunchy almonds, and the vibrant freshness of herbs and dressing.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.