Bright Spring Mix Salad
You will love this bright & refreshing spring mix salad with a tangy Citrus-herb vinaigrette. It combines fresh spring greens with colorful veggies, and creamy avocado. This is great as a side dish or healthy lunch that is easily customizable with other toppings you enjoy!
What you’ll love about this:
If it’s spring season when you’re reading this… AKA that time of year when we all start throwing the soup and stew to the side and start craving fresh veggies….then I’ve got the perfect side salad or lunch for you!
This easy spring mix salad recipe comes together in just 10 minutes. I love to make this for a make–ahead lunch (store the dressing on the side).
I’ve also served this at a dinner party for friends as a side green salad and everyone loves it!
You will also love…
- Check out my lemony Quinoa Salad with chickpeas and other fresh veggies that’s another healthy side or lunch!
- Everyone loves my Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with a tangy pickle twist!
- If you want a refreshing appetizer to pair with this, try out my simple Cucumber appetizer with sliced cucumbers topped with hummus, tomato, and feta!
Ingredients
What is in Spring Mix Salad?
Spring mix salad typically contains a variety of tender young salad greens, such as baby spinach, arugula, mizuna, frisée, and radicchio. Sometimes it may also include other ingredients like baby lettuces, chard, and herbs like parsley or cilantro, but this really depends on the brand and store you are buying from.
- Spring mix greens: You will need 5 oz of spring greens (which is a common size for spring green mixtures in the grocery store). Make sure to choose fresh salad mix that’s not wilting!
- Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, shredded carrots
- Feta cheese: I love to use a dairy-free version like the one from Follow Your Heart or Violife.
- Seeds: Use either pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (I prefer mine roasted and salted!).
Spring Mix Salad Dressing
This dressing is easy to make in minutes!
For the vinaigrette you will need orange juice, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Veggies: Feel free to add or sub with other veggies like red onion, diced red pepper and more.
- Salad greens: This is easily customizable as well. Sometimes I love to add in some baby spinach or baby arugula for a little bite. You could even add in some kale too.
- Fresh fruit: This salad is amazing with the addition of fresh fruit like juicy blueberries, orange pieces, raspberries, and more
- To make this a complete meal: Add in some chickpeas, white beans, tofu, or protein of choice.
- Salad dressing: You can make your own salad dressing if you prefer, or use a store bought vinaigrette. This would also be delish with a raspberry vinaigrette.
📝How to Make This Spring Salad Recipe
This spring mix salad is SUPER easy to make!
Step 1: If you haven’t yet, wash and dry the mixed spring greens thoroughly.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the Citrus-Herb dressing. Mix together olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 3: To assemble the salad, in a large bowl place spring mix, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, and avocado. Drizzle with the Citrus-Herb dressing. Give it a gentle toss to make sure all the ingredients are coated with the dressing. Finish it off by sprinkling the seeds and feta cheese on top. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store This Leftover Spring Mix Salad Recipe
Transfer it to an airtight container then refrigerate promptly. Use within 2-3 days for best freshness, and consider refreshing with additional dressing before serving if needed.
Meal prep idea: Make this spring mix salad for lunches during the week. Place salad into multiple airtight containers and dressing into separate containers. Add in other toppings for more protein like chickpeas, white beans, tofu, or whatever protein you like. The salad stays good in the fridge for up to 3 days!
For another refreshing salad, try out my Superfood Salad or Broccoli Crunch Salad!
Common Salad FAQs
Spring mix typically includes a variety of young, tender salad greens such as arugula, spinach, frisée, radicchio, and sometimes herbs like parsley or dill.
When serving spring mix salad at a party, consider assembling the salad components separately and tossing them together just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness!
In addition to the Citrus-Herb vinaigrette used my recipe, you can try other dressings like balsamic or raspberry, creamy dressings such as ranch or honey mustard which also taste amazing with this spring salad recipe.
To prevent your spring mix salad from wilting, thoroughly dry the leaves after washing, either by using a salad spinner or patting them dry with paper towels. Dress the salad lightly with vinaigrette or dressing just before serving to avoid moisture accumulation, which can cause premature wilting.
What to Eat with Spring Mix Salad
There are lots of great main dishes to serve with spring mix salad!
- A giant southwestern Black bean burger pairs great with a refreshing salad like this one.
- A hearty wrap like my Buffalo Tofu Wrap, Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap, or Crunchy Caesar Kale wrap are amazing with a salad on the side.
- Enjoy a soup and salad combo with my Mushroom Orzo Soup or Tuscan Chickpea Soup!
What to do with Spring Mix besides Salad?
You can serve spring mix in a wrap (like my buffalo tofu wrap!), in a sandwich like my delicious tempeh sandwich, in a warm bowl like my warm veggie quinoa bowl, and more!
Pro Tips ✔️
- Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like basil, mint, or parsley over your salad to add an extra layer of flavor and freshness.
- Incorporate seasonal ingredients into your salad to take advantage of the freshest produce available. For example in spring, add in some fresh roasted asparagus pieces or radishes. In summertime, add in some juicy berries and/or basil.
▶︎Try out another amazing dressing on thop of this salad! This honey lime dressing would be perfect!
More Salad Recipes
From greens to pasta to grains and more…salad comes in many forms!
Bright Spring Salad
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Ingredients
- 5 oz mixed spring greens
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- 1 large avocado diced or sliced
For the Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or mint
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry the mixed spring greens thoroughly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- To assemble the salad:I a large bowl place spring mix, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber , and shredded carrots. Drizzle with the Citrus-Herb dressing. Give it a gentle toss to make sure all the ingredients are coated with the dressing.Finish it off by sprinkling the seeds and feta cheese on top. Serve and enjoy!
Just made this Spring Mix Salad for lunch and it’s amazing! So fresh and flavorful – the creamy avocado and tangy dressing are perfect together.
Made this spring mix salad yesterday – I added some diced red pepper for an extra kick of flavor and it was so good. I loved this salad and I’ll definitely be making this on repeat this spring and summer
Thanks Maxine! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This dressing is amazing! Fresh and bright! I used fresh basil and mint and it was delicious on this salad. We had the salad with rotisserie chicken for a perfect warm weather meal!
Thanks Melissa! I love that dressing too. I love the idea of the fresh mint and basil too. I will try that next time!
I have been making this on repeat. I substitute goat cheese for the feta and add some green onion. My family loves it!
Hi Gwen- thanks for your review! Glad to hear your fam loves it!!
What a gorgeously fresh and delicious spring mix salad. Now the weather has warmed up here in the UK, it’s just what we need. Love the addition of avocado. It makes such a difference.