Description
A fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make side salad featuring mixed greens, crunchy cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a quick, healthy accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 (5 oz) container mixed leafy greens or Romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced and quartered (approximately 3/4 cup)
- 1/2 to 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, sliced thin and halved
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup kalamata olives (black olives can be used as substitute)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder, a pinch or to taste
- Salt, a pinch or to taste
Instructions
- Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt until fully combined and emulsified. This vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for several days.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens or romaine lettuce, sliced and quartered cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss and Serve: Just before serving, toss the salad ingredients with the vinaigrette to taste. To maintain freshness, dress the salad right before serving.
- Presentation Tips: For a visually appealing presentation, serve the salad on a flat platter to showcase all the colorful ingredients.
- Storage: Any extra vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and used for future salads.
Notes
- Use black olives if kalamata olives are not available.
- Adjust garlic powder and salt according to taste preferences.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
- The vinaigrette can be made in advance and stored refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Serving the salad on a flat platter enhances ingredient visibility and overall presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: side salad, simple salad, balsamic vinaigrette, mediterranean salad, mixed greens salad, easy salad recipe
