All you need is a couple of panty staples to make this super easy and delicious 5 Minute Dinner Salad! It’s great as a side salad to accompany pizza, pasta, soup, sandwiches and more!
Are you one of those people who buy a box of spring mix with the perfect intentions but then it ends up rotting in the back of your refrigerator before you get around to eating it? If so, you need this 5 Minute Dinner Salad Recipe! It will have you tearing open that lettuce box as soon as you get home!
I’ve been making this homemade salad dressing for a while now, but was never planning on sharing it on here since it’s pretty simple to make and I don’t use measurements. Then, we had some people over for dinner and I got multiple compliments on this super simple salad so I thought I’d finally post it!
5 Minute Dinner Salad Ingredients
There are 8 ingredients in this salad dressing recipe but most are pantry staples so you might not even need to buy anything!
- Lettuce – I really like to use spring mix or a half spring mix, half spinach mix. I particularly like using this kind of lettuce because it really soaks up the dressing which makes every bite really flavorful. You can use any kind of greens you like, kale would even be great!
- Olive Oil – The olive oil is the main ingredient of the salad dressing. You want to use a good olive oil that you enjoy the taste of since there aren’t many other ingredients.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – I like to use apple cider vinegar this time of year, but any vinegar would work (red, white, balsamic, etc…)
- Fresh Lemon Juice – You don’t have to use both vinegar and lemon juice since they both act as the acid for the salad, but I really enjoy acid so I like to use both.
- Tamari – Tamari might sound like a strange ingredient in this salad but it’s adds a nice salty flavor that goes well with the oil and vinegar. I’ve been using it on my salads for years and love it! You could also substitute soy sauce, liquid aminos or regular salt if you prefer.
- Dried Herbs – I’ve been really enjoying using this Green Goddess seasoning blend from Trader Joe’s. It’s a mix of a few different herbs and spices and I enjoy the taste. You could also just use some dried oregano or basil.
- Granulated Garlic – I love fresh garlic and it’s usually what I use in my salads, but lately I’ve been using granulated garlic and it isn’t too strong and mixes in nicely.
- Salt – The tamari is usually enough salt for me, but sometimes I add a small pinch of salt as well.
- Black Pepper – I like to add a good amount of fresh cracked black pepper for some spice. Make sure to give the salad a taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
How To Make The Best Dinner Salad Recipe
If you like to always have exact measurements, then this salad might not be for you. I will try to give estimated measurements in the recipe card though!
- Start by adding your spring mix lettuce to a large bowl.
- Next, drizzle on the olive oil and add in all the remaining ingredients.
- I like to use two big spoons or a pair of tongs to gently toss the salad to make sure every leaf is coated with the dressing. At this point you can throw in another handful or two of the lettuce mix if it looks like there is a little extra dressing.
- Give the salad a quick taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- This dinner salad is best when enjoyed immediately because spring mix has a tendency to get soggy quickly. But, it only takes 5 minutes to make so it’s easy to throw together just before sitting down to dinner!
Dinner Salad Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I add other vegetables to this dinner salad? Of course!! I just did spring mix because it makes it super easy with no chopping necessary. I find that the dressing is so nice that I don’t miss having a variety of veggies.
- Can I use a different type of lettuce or green in the salad? Yes, you can use any kind of green you like! I prefer the spring mix because I feel that it really soaks up the dressing and you can just throw it in a bowl with no chopping!
- Can I make this salad ahead of time? If using a tender lettuce, like spring mix, I would not recommend making it ahead of time because the lettuce will get soggy quickly. If using romaine or kale you might be able to get away with it.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
Looking For More Super Easy Dinner Side Dish Recipes?
This easy salad can be made right in the bowl and there’s no measuring necessary! I like to add a little of each ingredient, take a taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Please let me know if you need exact measurements!
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Delicious 5 Minute Dinner Salad
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This delicious 5 minute dinner salad is so easy to make and will impress your dinner guests!
Ingredients
- 1 package spring mix salad, or favorite greens
- Olive Oil (1-2 tablespoons)
- Apple Cider vinegar (2-3 teaspoons)
- Fresh lemon juice (1/ large lemon)
- Tamari, or soy sauce (2-3 teaspoons)
- Granulated garlic (1/4 teaspoon)
- Dried Herbs, I like Trader Joe’s Green Goddess seasoning (1 teaspoon)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Start by adding your spring mix lettuce to a large bowl.
- Next, drizzle on the olive oil and add in all the remaining ingredients.
- I like to use two big spoons or a pair of tongs to gently toss the salad to make sure every leaf is coated with the dressing. At this point you can throw in another handful or two of the lettuce mix if it looks like there is a little extra dressing.
- Give the salad a quick taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- This dinner salad is best when enjoyed immediately because spring mix has a tendency to get soggy quickly. But, it only takes 5 minutes to make so it’s easy to throw together just before sitting down to dinner!
Notes
This easy salad can be made right in the bowl and there’s no measuring necessary! I like to add a little of each ingredient, take a taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Please let me know if you need exact measurements!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Category: Side, Salad
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
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