You need just a couple of pantry staples to make this super easy and delicious Five-Minute Dinner Salad. It’s great as a nutrient-rich side dish for 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 rots in the back of your refrigerator before you get around to eating it? If so, you need this Five-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 I was never planning on sharing it 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 eight 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 soaks up the dressing, making every bite flavorful. You can use any kind of greens you like; kale would be great!
- Olive Oil – Olive oil is the main ingredient in 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 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 can substitute soy sauce, liquid aminos, or regular salt if you prefer.
- Dried Herbs – I’ve enjoyed using this Green Goddess seasoning blend from Trader Joe’s. It’s a mix of 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, which I usually use in my salads, but lately, I’ve been using granulated garlic; it isn’t too strong and mixes in nicely.
- Salt – The tamari is usually enough salt for me, but sometimes, I also add a small pinch of salt.
- 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.
Why Your Body Will Love This Quick and Easy Salad
- Vitamins – Lettuce contains vitamins A (important for the eyes), K (strengthens the bones), and C (supports the immune system and blood), iron, and potassium. It’s also a great source of fiber.
- Ode to Olive Oil – Olive oil is one of nature’s amazing elixirs and has been used throughout the ages as a healing balm for the body, inside and out. It reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, dementia, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. It has anti-inflammatory benefits and can help lower blood pressure.
- Gut and Metabolic Health – The probiotics in Apple Cider Vinegar promote gut health by supporting the healthy bacteria in the GI tract. It also slows the travel speed of food in our digestive tracts, improving metabolic health.
How To Make The Best Dinner Salad Recipe
If you like to have exact measurements, 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 all the remaining ingredients.
- I like using two big spoons or a pair of tongs to gently toss the salad to ensure 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 five minutes to make, so it’s easy to throw together before 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’s easy and does not require chopping. 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 tender lettuce, like spring mix, I would not recommend making it ahead of time because it will get soggy quickly. If you use romaine or kale, you might get away with it.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will reply ASAP!
Looking For More Super Easy Dinner Side Dish Recipes?
This easy salad can be made right in the bowl; no measuring is 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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