Fresh Spring Mix Salad with Berries
A quick, easy, and refreshing salad combining tender spring mix greens with sweet berries, toasted nuts, and a light homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for a healthy summer meal that is colorful, wholesome, and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups spring mix greens (about 150g) – a tender mix of baby lettuces, spinach, and arugula
- 1 cup fresh berries (about 150g) – a mix of sliced strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries
- ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts (about 50g), roughly chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 75g), optional
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt to taste (start with ¼ teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: Place pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the berries: Rinse berries gently under cold water and pat dry. Hull and slice strawberries; leave blueberries and raspberries whole. Set aside.
- Slice the onion and chop mint: Thinly slice red onion into rings and finely chop fresh mint leaves.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine spring mix greens, berries, toasted nuts, sliced onion, and feta cheese if using. Sprinkle chopped mint over the top.
- Toss gently: Drizzle dressing over salad and toss carefully with salad tongs or spoons to coat leaves without crushing berries or wilting greens.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy fresh to preserve crisp textures and vibrant flavors. If prepping ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.
Notes
Toast nuts just before assembling to enhance flavor and crunch. Rinse berries gently and pat dry to avoid bruising. Use a light coating of dressing to prevent soggy greens. Thinly slice onion and soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you want to mellow its sharpness. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead and toss just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups per ser
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: spring mix salad, berry salad, healthy salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, fresh salad, quick salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad