Name: Garden Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, butter lettuce, baby spinach, arugula); 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; 1 cup cucumber, sliced or diced; ½ cup shredded carrots; ½ red bell pepper, sliced thin; ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion; ¼ cup radishes, thinly sliced; ½ cup croutons (optional for crunch); ½ avocado, sliced or diced; ¼ cup black or green olives; ¼ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, feta, or parmesan); ¼ cup chickpeas or beans; 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or slivered almonds; Hard-boiled egg, sliced; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional); 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and black pepper, to taste

Ingredients

Scale

For the Garden Salad:

4 cups mixed greens (romaine, butter lettuce, baby spinach, arugula)
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, sliced or diced
½ cup shredded carrots
½ red bell pepper, sliced thin
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup radishes, thinly sliced
½ cup croutons (optional for crunch)

Optional Add-Ins:

½ avocado, sliced or diced
¼ cup black or green olives
¼ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, feta, or parmesan)
¼ cup chickpeas or beans
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or slivered almonds
Hard-boiled egg, sliced

For the Dressing:

¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Wash and prep vegetables

Rinse all vegetables under cold water
Pat dry using paper towels or a salad spinner
Chop or slice each vegetable according to the desired size and presentation

2. Prepare the dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper
Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference
Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use

3. Assemble the salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, onion, and radishes
Toss gently to combine

4. Add extras and toppings

Add your chosen add-ins such as avocado, cheese, seeds, olives, or croutons
For a heartier salad, add chickpeas or sliced boiled eggs

5. Dress the salad

Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving
Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly

6. Serve and enjoy

Serve immediately on individual plates or in a large salad bowl
Garnish with extra herbs, seeds, or a squeeze of lemon if desired

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1½ cups salad with dressing
Calories: 120
Sugar: 4g
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g