This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
This balsamic salad is a quick and easy side dish! In just 10 minutes you have a healthy accompaniment to any meal.
After posting our popular tomato artichoke soup, I mentioned that it might be helpful to serve this soup alongside something with added protein. So we’ve created that salad for you: a simple balsamic salad!
Why we love this recipe: This simple pile of greens stars our favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s so delicious and has been receiving rave reviews for years. Throw out all your old salad dressing bottles and use this recipe!
Tips for this simple balsamic salad
A few notes about building this lovely balsamic salad:
- Make your own vinaigrette. Use our balsamic vinaigrette or swap in this basic salad dressing. Our rule for making vinaigrette is 1 part acid (vinegar or citrus juice) to 3 parts oil (olive or grapeseed). Then add salt, pepper, and any add-ins you’d like, like chopped shallots or minced garlic, Dijon mustard, or minced herbs, and whisk to combine. There are endless possibilities!
- Use fresh greens, local if possible. Use any mix of greens you’d like. Our local farmer’s market has local greens year round, which we like to take advantage of when we can.
- Add crunchy elements for contrasts of flavor and texture. We like to add something crunchy like pecans, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Amp up the flavor by toasting the nuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes until they are browned and fragrant.
- Mix in cheese or fruit for a final touch. A flavorful cheese is a great counterpoint: we love feta, sharp cheddar, and goat cheese. You can also add a sweet component like dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots) or fresh fruit (apples, pears, strawberries).
What are your favorite salad combinations? We’d love to hear.
More green salad recipes
Want to make more great salads? Here are some of our top green salad recipes:
- Browse our 60 Salad Recipes Everyone Will Love
- Pick from 20 Tasty Green Salad Recipes
- Try our fan-favorite Chopped Salad, Apple Salad or Kale Salad
- Make a stunning Caesar Salad
- Go for the easiest Easy Arugula Salad
Dietary notes
This mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, omit the cheese crumbles.
Simple Balsamic Salad
This balsamic salad is a quick and easy side dish! In just 10 minutes you have a healthy accompaniment to any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the balsamic vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
For the salad
- 8 cups salad greens
- ¼ cup dried cherries (or cranberries)
- ¼ cup cheese crumbles (feta, goat, or gorgonzola)
- ¼ cup slivered almonds (or walnuts, pecans, or pistachios)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and salt until fully combined. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and whisking until it incorporates, until an emulsion forms. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired. Serve immediately or store refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving (keeps at least 2 weeks).
- Dress 8 cups salad greens with the desired amount of dressing; reserve the rest for future use.
- On each plate, place 2 cups salad greens and sprinkle with dried fruit, cheese crumbles, and nuts.
I made this last night for my wife and I, and we are hooked! Such a lovely, simply salad that surely isn’t lacking any flavor whatsoever!!
We will be eating this same salad tonight ?
So glad you loved it! :)
Your basic rule is 1:1 acid and oil but this recipe is 1:3. Please clarify. Thanks!
You are correct: this was a typo in the body of the post and this has been fixed! Thanks for your feedback!
How much in ml is 1/4 cup?
Good question: 60 ml!