Description
A vibrant and refreshing Bright Spring Salad featuring mixed greens, fresh strawberries, orange segments, cucumber, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Topped with creamy feta cheese and crunchy toasted nuts for a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a light, healthy meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, romaine)
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 medium orange, segmented
- ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
Citrus Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the mixed salad greens, hulled and sliced strawberries, orange segments, thinly sliced cucumber, and red onion slices. Mix gently to combine all the fresh ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Citrus Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, and honey or maple syrup until well emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to your taste, ensuring a balanced tangy and sweet flavor.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the combined salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly for about 30 seconds to ensure every leaf and slice is lightly coated with the dressing.
- Add Cheese and Nuts: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted walnuts or pecans evenly over the salad, adding both creaminess and a crunchy texture.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the salad to a wide serving bowl and serve immediately. Optionally, drizzle with extra vinaigrette just before serving to maintain freshness and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Substitute berries such as raspberries or blueberries for strawberries if preferred.
- Try blood oranges instead of regular oranges for a unique color and flavor.
- Swap cucumber with radishes for a peppery crunch.
- For a vegan salad, omit feta cheese and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
- Use sunflower seeds as a nut-free alternative to walnuts or pecans.
- Soaking red onion slices in cold water reduces sharpness if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
