How to Make a Simple Tossed Green Salad
A simple tossed green salad is the perfect side dish to complement any meal from Baked Breaded Chicken to Oven Poached Salmon. It’s fresh, light, and full of nutrients, and best of all, it can be customized with various toppings, dressings, and add-ins. But don’t worry, I have a great Dijon vinaigrette recipe for you. Whether you’re serving it with a hearty main dish or just enjoying it on its own, this salad is both versatile and easy to prepare. Let’s dive into how to make the perfect tossed green salad and all the ways you can elevate it!
And be sure to pair it with Dinner Rolls and Salt Baked Potatoes as well as your favorite protein, for a great meal.
What You’ll Need
To make a basic tossed green salad, you don’t need much! Here’s what you’ll need for the simplest version:
Base Salad Ingredients:
- Mixed greens (such as romaine, arugula, spinach, or baby kale)
- Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion (optional)
- Carrot ribbons or slices
Dressing Recipe
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup oil – I use extra virgin olive oil
Alternative Dressing:
- Olive oil (about 2 tablespoons)
- Vinegar (such as balsamic, red wine, or apple cider vinegar—about 1 tablespoon)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or honey for added flavor
How to Make A Tossed Salad
- Wash and Prep the Veggies: Start by thoroughly washing your greens and any veggies you’re using (like tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots). Pat the greens dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water.
- Chop and Slice: Slice your cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and the red onion into thin slices (if using). If you’re adding carrots, peel them and slice them into thin ribbons or rounds.
- Assemble the Salad: Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Add the sliced veggies and toss gently.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and texture!
Other Things to Add
While this basic salad is delicious on its own, you can easily elevate it by adding a variety of toppings or mix-ins. Here are some ideas to get creative:
- Cheese: Crumbled feta, goat cheese, or shredded Parmesan are all great options.
- Nuts and Seeds: Toasted walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch.
- Fruit: Fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, apple slices, or orange segments can add a refreshing sweetness.
- Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, or chickpeas for a protein-packed salad.
- Olives: Kalamata olives or green olives bring a salty, savory flavor to the salad.
- Croutons: Homemade or store-bought croutons add crunch and flavor to every bite.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado slices or cubes make the salad feel more substantial.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil, parsley, or cilantro can bring a fresh, aromatic touch to your salad.
Substitutions and Variations
- Greens: If you don’t have mixed greens, use any leafy green like spinach, romaine lettuce, or arugula. For a different flavor, try adding in some baby kale or Swiss chard.
- Dressings: Swap the olive oil and vinegar dressing for ranch, blue cheese, or balsamic vinaigrette if you prefer a creamier dressing. You can also make your own dressing by adding lemon juice, tahini, or even avocado for a rich, creamy base.
- Vegetables: If you’re not a fan of cucumbers or tomatoes, try adding bell peppers, radishes, or shredded cabbage for different textures and flavors.
- Fruit: You can easily switch up the fruits in your salad based on what’s in season or what you have on hand. Try adding mango, pomegranate seeds, or even dried cranberries or raisins for a pop of sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
A simple tossed green salad can be served as a side or made into a main dish. Here are some ideas for how to serve it:
- As a Side: Pair your tossed green salad with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes, or sandwiches for a balanced meal.
- For Meal Prep: This salad can easily be prepped ahead of time. Keep the dressing separate from the salad to avoid soggy greens. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and add the dressing just before serving.
- With Grains: For a more substantial meal, serve your salad with a side of quinoa, couscous, or farro. These grains add texture and make the salad feel more filling.
- For a Crowd: If you’re hosting a party or gathering, double or triple the recipe to serve a larger group. Add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh.
Tips for the Perfect Tossed Green Salad
- Don’t Overcrowd: If you’re making a large salad, it’s better to toss it in batches to ensure the dressing coats everything evenly.
- Keep It Fresh: Make sure to dry your greens well after washing. Wet greens can make the salad soggy.
- Add Dressing Sparingly: Start with a little dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more, but it’s harder to remove excess dressing once it’s mixed in. Or allow everyone to dress their own salad.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best flavor, let your dressing and other salad components come to room temperature before mixing them together. Cold dressing can weigh down the greens.
A simple tossed green salad is a timeless dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it with a weeknight dinner or bringing it to a potluck, it’s always a hit. With endless customization options, you can make this salad as simple or as fancy as you like. The key is using fresh, quality ingredients, and of course, a good dressing to bring it all together. So, next time you’re looking for a fresh, light side dish, toss together this easy, delicious salad!
Other Salads You’ll Love:
- Berry Feta Spinach Salad
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Beet Salad
- Corn Salad
- Couscous Salad
- Easy Asian Cucumber Salad
Tossed Green Salad
Ingredients
Base Salad Ingredients:
- 8 cups Mixed greens such as romaine, arugula, spinach, or baby kale
- 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Cucumber
- 1/2 cup Red onion optional
- 1/2 cup Carrot ribbons or slices
Dressing Recipe:
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup oil - I use extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and Prep the Veggies: Start by thoroughly washing your greens and any veggies you’re using (like tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots). Pat the greens dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water.
- Chop and Slice: Slice your cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and the red onion into thin slices (if using). If you’re adding carrots, peel them and slice them into thin ribbons or rounds.
- Assemble the Salad: Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Add the sliced veggies and toss gently.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and texture!
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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