A Simple, Bright Spring Salad

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This salad is all about balance—crunchy greens, sweet fruit, creamy cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing. It’s refreshing without being boring and flexible enough to adapt based on what you have on hand.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, but recommended)

For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare your base
   Wash and dry your greens thoroughly, then place them in a large bowl.
2. Add the fresh ingredients
   Top the greens with strawberries, cucumber slices, red onion, and nuts.
3. Make the dressing
   In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Assemble the salad
   Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat.
5. Finish with cheese
   Sprinkle the goat cheese or feta on top just before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Add protein: Grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas turn this into a full meal.
• Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
• Switch the fruit: Blueberries, raspberries, or sliced apples work beautifully.
• Extra crunch: Toss in sunflower seeds or sliced almonds.

Final Thoughts

This spring salad is a reminder that simple ingredients can create something really special. It’s fresh, fast, and full of flavor—the kind of dish you’ll find yourself making again and again as the weather warms up.

If you’re looking for something easy that still feels elevated, this is it.