Summer is right around the corner, and there’s no better time than now for a bowl of mixed greens salad. The fusion of juicy oranges, crunchy strawberries, and zesty olives on a bed of greens creates a mouthful experience. This delectable salad is hard to resist.
Is Mixed Greens Salad Healthy?
Absolutely. If you are searching for a healthy yet flavorful dish, this mixed greens salad is just what you are looking for.
Romaine, iceberg lettuce, and red leaf lettuce are mixed to create a nutritious foundation for our salad. Lettuce is fully loaded with vitamins (A, K, and B-complex), minerals, and dietary fiber, all of which have several benefits for our body.
Moreover, the vitamin C in oranges and strawberries contributes to your healthy diet. Brighter skin, stronger bones, and mood improvement are only some of the benefits that vitamin C brings us.
For the long list of nutrients it carries, our salad contains only 1.6 g saturated fat and 297.4 mg sodium, staying perfectly within healthy limits. The calorie count for this salad is also surprisingly low at 124 calories per serving.
Main Ingredients
Mixed greens salad requires simple ingredients that you can get at any grocery store or supermarket. Moreover, you can be creative by swapping orange and strawberry for the fruits of your preference.
- Mixed greens: Three kinds of lettuce tossed together don’t just add more flavor, they also introduce multiple textures to our salad. You will experience triple layers of texture in one bite: soft red lettuce, leafy romaine, and crispy iceberg lettuce.
- Orange: This fruit definitely catches your attention with its bright color, but it’s the burst of sweet-tartness that’s the true showstopper.
- Strawberry: Together with orange, strawberry gives more color and character to our salad. Make sure to choose strawberries with a vibrant color and no blemishes.
- Olive: Olives, which add tanginess to our salad, are a staple for a bold dish.
- Dressing: Our chefs specifically call for Dijon mustard dressing to bind the ingredients in a sharp, tangy flavor.
- Cheese: Shredded parmesan cheese is added to the salad for a rich dairy flavor. If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, you can use plant-based cheese or simply skip this step.
How to Prepare the Ingredients
Green veggies and fresh fruit aren’t bothersome to prepare, as this does not involve much work.
1. Prepare veggies
- Remove lettuce leaves from the stalk and get rid of any wilted or damaged ones.
- Gently wash leaves in a sink or with cold water. Avoid running water as that can damage the leaves. If your lettuce is fresh out of the garden, you should soak them in water for 10 minutes to remove any dirt.
- Use a salad spinner to dry them.
- Chop them into bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare fruits
- Quickly run the fruits under the faucet. Dry them.
- Peel the oranges and de-stem the strawberries.
- Divide strawberries into halves and oranges into bite-sized pieces.
How to Serve
This versatile salad will be a great “sidekick” dish for any “superhero” main course. Whether you choose to pair mixed greens salad with grilled meat or seafood, it works wonders. The heavy feeling after a big feast will be toned down by fresh veggies and fruits.
Also, serving mixed greens salad on top of some toast sounds like a great breakfast idea. You can use a toaster or a skillet to accomplish the crispy golden-brown goodness.
How to Store the Leftovers
If stored properly in an airtight container, mixed greens salad can last up to 5 days in the fridge.
However, it’s best to eat the leftovers as soon as possible, as the salad will not taste the same after a few days.
How to Make Mixed Greens Salad
The fusion of juicy oranges, crunchy strawberries, and zesty olives on a bed of greens creates a satisfying experience. This delectable salad is hard to resist.
- prep TIME 10 mins
- total TIME 10 mins
- COURSE Side Dish
- CUISINE American, Global
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 123 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz iceberg lettuce (roughly chopped)
- 2 oz romaine (roughly chopped)
- 1 oz red lettuce (roughly chopped)
- 6 oz oranges (cut into bite-sized)
- 4 oz strawberries (halved)
- 1 oz black olives (halved)
- 1/2 tsp traditional Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard seeds
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 0.5 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp traditional Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard seeds, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
With 2 oz chopped iceberg lettuce, 2 oz chopped romaine, and 1 oz chopped red lettuce, make a bed of greens for your salad toppings. Arrange the other ingredients on the lettuce bed: 6 oz bite-sized oranges, 4 oz halved strawberries, 1 oz halved black olives, and 0.5 oz shredded Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary ConsultantLuna Regina
Writer, AuthorNatalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer- ahottchickaGreens galore, a healthy delight.