Simple Strawberry Spring Mix Salad
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Effortlessly create a nutritious and flavor-packed strawberry spring mix salad with just a handful of ingredients! This easy seasonal salad recipe is quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for serving at your next lunch or brunch.
A Salad with Simple Elegance
This strawberry spring mix salad is proof that sometimes the simplest things really are the best. With strawberries at their juicy, Vitamin C-packed peak here in the PNW, now’s the perfect time to work these berry gems into your weekly lineup.
We’re big fans of fresh, flavor-forward salads around here, and this one has quickly earned a spot in our regular spring and summer rotation.
We’re talking crisp spring greens, juicy strawberries, a sprinkle of toasted almonds, all tied together with a bright and tangy balsamic citrus vinaigrette. Simple. Beautiful. Delicious.
The Simple, Versatile Salad You’ll Keep Coming Back To
This easy salad is endlessly adaptable—think of it as your favorite brunch side’s stylish best friend who also knows how to keep things low-maintenance.
Originally born from the search for a salad that could play nice with rich, eggy brunch dishes like baked eggs and savory quiche, this one checks every box. The sweet strawberries, nutty almonds, and spring greens offer a fresh counterpoint to buttery pastry and gooey cheese.
We love it with our homemade balsamic citrus vinaigrette (truly couldn’t be easier!), but if you’re in a pinch, your favorite bottled balsamic will do just fine—shoutout to the Primal Kitchen version for being a solid store-bought option.
Craving More Fresh Salad Inspo?
If this salad has you in your spring greens era, don’t miss our other fresh picks:
– Northwest Summer Berry Salad
– Italian Spinach and Arugula Salad
– Lemony Green Bean Salad
– Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
– Simple Field Greens Salad
What’s in a Spring Salad?
A spring salad usually stars fresh greens (like baby lettuces and herbs), bright seasonal fruits (hello, strawberries and citrus), crunchy toppings like nuts or seeds, and a zippy vinaigrette.
Spring mix—readily found in most grocery stores—is a blend of tender baby greens like romaine, arugula, spinach, mizuna, chard, and more. Basically, it’s salad magic in a bag.
Ingredient Notes
Spring mix salad greens: To create the base of your salad. Most blends typically include a combination of mild, sweet leaves and bitter or peppery leaves, and tender baby lettuce leaves. The mix of textures and flavors will elevate every forkful.
Fresh strawberries: Look for ripe, juicy strawberries that are at the peak of their sweetness. Their natural tang and vibrant color will lend a burst of freshness to the salad.
Honey: A drizzle of golden honey on the strawberries adds a touch of natural sweetness, complementing the strawberries and balancing the flavors. Adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness.
Sliced almonds: Toasted almond slices provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the salad. Make sure to lightly toast them beforehand to enhance their taste and texture.
*For the full list of ingredients and quantities see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Salad dressing: A light vinaigrette is recommended for this recipe. Our own easy balsamic citrus vinaigrette is a perfect match (dressing ingredients below). Poppyseed dressing, lemon vinaigrette, and raspberry vinaigrette are good options. Or just try it with your favorite salad dressing!
- Balsamic vinegar
- Orange – fresh squeezed juice and zest
- Honey
- Salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh mint (optional): This ingredient is completely optional, but oh so worth it! Mint brings a burst of coolness and a fresh herbal flavor that adds an extra layer of complexity to the salad.
Step-by-Step Directions
Time needed: 15 minutes
- Toast the almonds.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Evenly distribute the almond slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Toast them for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as almonds can quickly go from toasted to burned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
- Make the balsamic citrus vinaigrette (if using).
Zest the orange so you have enough for 1 tablespoon of zest. Then squeeze the orange until you have about 1/3 cup juice. In a small mixing bowl whisk together all of the dressing ingredients-orange juice and zest, balsamic vinegar, honey, and salt-until well combined. (Alternatively, shake the ingredients together in a small mason jar).
- Prepare the strawberries.
In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and honey until they are lightly coated in the honey.
- Assemble the salad.
In a large salad bowl combine the spring mix greens, strawberries, toasted almonds, and chopped mint. Then drizzle and toss with the dressing. (Alternatively, plate the dressed spring greens and then top with the strawberry slices and sprinkle with a few extra almonds for an eye-pleasing presentation).
- Serve and enjoy!
Elevate the presentation by serving the strawberry spring salad on individual plates. It adds a touch of elegance and enhances the dining experience.
Substitutions and Variations
Fruit substitutions: Instead of strawberries, experiment with other fresh berries like raspberries and blueberries and fruits like sliced peaches, nectarines, or even pomegranate seeds. Choose fruits that are in season and complement the flavors of the salad.
Nut substitutions: Swap out the toasted almonds for different nuts or seeds such as pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, poppy seeds, or sunflower seeds. These alternatives will offer a unique taste and texture to complement the other ingredients.
Greens substitutions: Experiment with different greens based on your preference or what’s available. Instead of the traditional spring mix, you can use baby spinach, arugula, romaine lettuce, or a combination of your favorite salad greens.
Cheese variations: Consider adding some cheese to your salad for added flavor. Crumbled cheeses like feta cheese, goat cheese, or gorgonzola blue cheese can add a creamy and tangy element to the salad.
Dressing variations: Instead of the balsamic citrus vinaigrette dressing, you can try other dressings like lemon-shallot vinaigrette, raspberry vinaigrette, or creamy poppy seed dressing. Each dressing will impart a distinct flavor profile to the salad.
Additional ingredients: Customize your salad by adding complementary ingredients like thinly sliced red onions, avocado slices, roasted beets, or grilled chicken for added protein.
By incorporating these substitutions and variations, you can create a diverse range of flavor combinations and make the salad truly your own. Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize the salad to your liking!
FAQs
Spring mix, also known as mesclun, generally consists of a blend of various young and tender baby greens like spinach, arugula, romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, lollo rossa, chard, frisée, mizuna, and radicchio. The specific combination may vary based on the brand or region, but these are some common types of lettuces and greens you might find in a spring mix.
Why is it called spring mix?
“Spring mix” is the perfect name for this salad blend as it captures its association with the spring season. It is composed of young lettuces and greens that flourish abundantly during springtime, ensuring optimal freshness and flavor. With its evocative name, spring mix has gained popularity as a go-to choice for those seeking light, refreshing, and seasonal salads that perfectly embody the freshness and renewal of spring.
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Strawberry Spring Mix Salad
Equipment
- microplane zester or other zester
- mason jar optional
Ingredients
For the salad
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- 1 quart strawberries, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 10 ounces spring mix salad greens
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped (optional)
For the balsamic citrus vinaigrette
- 1 orange (1 tbsp zest and ⅓ cup juice)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
For the balsamic citrus vinaigrette (if using)
- Zest the orange so you have enough for 1 tablespoon of zest. Then squeeze the orange until you have about ⅓ cup juice. In a small mixing bowl whisk together all of the dressing ingredients-orange juice and zest, balsamic vinegar, honey, and salt-until well combined. (Alternatively, shake the ingredients together in a small mason jar).
For the salad
- Toast the almonds: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Evenly distribute the almond slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Toast them for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as almonds can quickly go from toasted to burned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
- In a small bowl, combine the strawberries with the honey until they are lightly coated in the honey.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl combine the spring mix greens, strawberries, toasted almonds, and chopped mint. Then drizzle and toss with the dressing. (Alternatively, plate the dressed spring greens and then top with the strawberry slices and sprinkle with a few extra almonds for an eye-pleasing presentation).
- Serve and enjoy: Elevate the presentation by serving the strawberry spring salad on individual plates. It adds a touch of elegance and enhances the dining experience.
Recipe Notes
- Greens – spinach, arugula, romaine, or butter lettuce.
- Fruit – blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or pomegranate seeds.
- Nuts – pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds.
- Cheese – feta, goat cheese, sharp cheddar, or blue cheese.
- Dressing – lemon vinaigrette, champagne vinaigrette, raspberry vinaigrette, or poppyseed dressing.
- Additional – red onion, avocado, beets, and grilled chicken.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Maplevine Kitchen makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
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Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback is important to us. Thank you for visiting Maplevine Kitchen!
Great combination of flavours.
Thank you so much for the 5 stars! I’m so glad you enjoyed the combination of flavors—it’s one of my favorites too.