Thank you so much, food angels, for reminding us that something as simple as bright spring greens and an incredible homemade maple balsamic dressing can literally save the day over and over and over. Did you get a vegetable on the table with the meal? Sure did! And it was this super delicious, slightly sweet, super flexible, add-what-you-want/nix-what-you-don’t green salad and we are eating it every day with wild abandon.
And this little babe is ready to greet you any old time. Dinner, of course. Lunch, yes that makes sense. Brunch, you better believe she’s going to shine next to a piece of quiche. It’s all honestly so easy and so good.
The BEST Homemade Dressing
Since we really cannot take any credit for the spring greens, they’re just doing their thing, let’s talk about this dressing. It’s got all the elements you need to really make it feel special even though it could not be easier and it’s just a few jar-shakes away from being yours all day every day. Deep rich balsamic, a hint of maple sweetness, a subtle little garlic bite. Just get everything together in a jar and then that magnificence is going to be at the ready for you in your fridge all week long.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- maple syrup
- garlic powder
- salt + pepp
That’s it, frands! Dressing dreams are yours!
Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?
How To Make This Green Salad (It’s Simple!)
You don’t really need a step-by-step here because it really only entails shaking up the dressing and plopping handfuls of greens into a bowl for gentle tossing, but there it is. Dressing ingredient jar-shake, greens plop, donezo. And then after that it’s really only the greens plop step since that dressing is already waiting in the fridge for you.
- Shake dressing ingredients in a jar.
- Plop your greens in a bowl for tossing.
- Donezo.
Wrote it out anyway, just in case you didn’t believe us.
The real beauty of this easy wonder is that it can go with anything! It’s so good with soup or as a side with a pasta dish, something bright and green to go with a casserole or seriously, it’s been brunch-fare around here and it has been WONDERFUL. It’s so fast to bring together that even if you think of it at the very last second, you can still get it out on the table in under a minute for a nice little green boost to any meal. You better believe our fridge has been steadily stocked with spring greens and dressing swirls for just such a last-second occasion.
Dress It Up If You Like
It’s been a meal plan staple around here just as is, but it is ready for any of your salad-making artistry. You can make it as hearty as you like by adding some goat cheese or any other you like, maybe a few nuts or seeds. Maybe a little dried fruit in there or a pile of extra veg if you’re chopping. Did someone mention big hunky croutons? Yep, that was us and they would definitely be great.
Get some grilled chicken going on that and you have yourself a whole meal outta this guy. But then just please make sure you stock up on some more spring greens so you can keep popping those on the side at every meal this week and feel like a darn fancy champ with this tangy, barely sweet stunner.
Ugh, it’s just so great with all the things. What is that Tina Turner song? “YOU’RE SIMPLY THE BEST!….The salad that’s lightly dressed….”
Not sure if those lyrics are right but…they feel right.
Simple Green Salad: FAQs
Dressing keeps well in the fridge for a week or more!
This goes well with literally everything: soups, pastas, casseroles, brunch – I’ve done it all. This is a weekly staple for us.
The greens will start to soften a bit when the dressing hits, so be sure to toss just before serving for optimal salad texture.
Simple Green Salad
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Every table needs this Simple Green Salad! Fresh spring greens drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing and sprinkled with whatever crunchies your salad-loving heart desires.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dressing
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
Salad
- 4 cups spring greens
- seeds, nuts, or any other crunchies for topping if you want (not necessary though!)
Instructions
- Shake dressing ingredients up in a jar. Taste and adjust to get it just right for how you like it.
- Toss a generous amount of spring greens with just a few light drizzles of dressing – you want to get the leaves entirely coated in dressing (but not so much that they get soggy). I often use my hands to gently toss it well without breaking all the greens. Serve immediately.
Notes
I usually do one generous handful of spring mix per person, and 1-2 circular pours of dressing from the jar – you really need less dressing than you think! Just need a really thorough toss to coat them well.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Toss
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: simple green salad, green salad, everyday salad
Other Super Simple Salad Recipes
- 5 Ingredient Vegan Vodka Pasta (SUPER easy take on vodka pasta – and vegan!)
- Zippy Orzo Summer Salad (made easy with rotisserie chicken)
- Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad (bright lemon, crisped-up bacon, tangy feta – everyone’s FAVORITE)
- Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad (lots o’ fresh veggies and noodles – just how we like it)
One More Thing!
This recipe is part of our January Meal Planning Bootcamp. Check it out!