Description
This Tasty Easter Spring Salad with Goat Cheese is a fresh, vibrant salad perfect for celebrating the spring season. Featuring a colorful mix of salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, it’s topped with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and sweet dried cranberries. The salad is dressed with a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette enhanced with honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the perfect balance of flavors. Quick to prepare and ideal for Easter gatherings or light lunches, this recipe provides a delightful combination of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the greens: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed salad greens as the base for your salad.
- Add tomatoes: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and gently add them to the bowl with the greens.
- Slice cucumbers: Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and include them in the salad bowl for a refreshing crunch.
- Add onions: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad mixture to introduce a mild pungency.
- Add goat cheese: Crumble the goat cheese evenly over the top of the vegetables to add creamy texture and tanginess.
- Add walnuts: Chop the walnuts into small pieces and sprinkle them over the salad for added crunch and nuttiness.
- Add dried cranberries: Distribute the dried cranberries evenly throughout the salad to bring a touch of sweetness.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey for a balanced, sweet and tangy dressing.
- Whisk dressing: Whisk or shake the dressing ingredients until smooth and well blended to coat the salad perfectly.
- Dress salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, ensuring all ingredients are lightly coated.
- Season: Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the salad to enhance the natural flavors.
- Toss salad: Gently toss all ingredients together to mix the flavors thoroughly without bruising the greens.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste and optimal texture.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be prepped a few hours ahead by keeping the dressing separate until serving.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
- Honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly dressing.
- Use gluten-free ingredients to keep this salad suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to increase protein content if desired.