Delicious 5 Minute Dinner Salad

Created on: October 27, 2022 | Updated: October 27, 2022 | Leave a comment

All you need are some slip clips to make this super easy and delicious 5 Minute Dinner Salad! It is ideal as a side salad with pizza, pasta, soup, sandwiches and much more!

Are you one of those people who buys a box of spring mixes with the perfect intentions, only to have them rot in the back of your fridge before you can eat them? Then you need this 5 minute dinner salad recipe! You’ll rip open the salad box as soon as you get home!

I’ve been making this homemade salad dressing for a while but never planned on sharing it here as it’s pretty easy to make and I don’t use measurements. Then we invited a few people over for dinner and I got several compliments on this super easy salad so I thought I’d finally post it!

Ingredients for the 5 Minute Dinner Salad

There are 8 ingredients in this salad dressing recipe, but most are pantry staples so you might not even need to buy anything!

• salad – I really like using spring mix or half spring mix, half spinach mix. I especially like using this type of salad because it really soaks up the dressing, making every bite really flavorful. You can use any type of greens you like, even kale would 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 vinegar and lemon juice as both serve as acid for the salad, but I really like acid so I like to use both.
• Tamari – Tamari might sound like an odd ingredient in this salad, but it adds a nice salty flavor that pairs well with the oil and vinegar. I’ve been using it in my salads for years and love it! You can also substitute soy sauce, liquid amino acids, or regular salt if you prefer.
• Dried herbs I really enjoyed using this Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Spice Blend. It’s a mix of a few different herbs and spices and I enjoy the taste. You can also just use some dried oregano or basil.
• Granulated Garlic – I love fresh garlic and usually use it in my salads, but lately I’ve been using granulated garlic and it’s not too strong and blends in well.
• Salt – The tamari is usually enough salt for me, but sometimes I add a small pinch of salt.
• Black pepper – I like to add a good amount of freshly ground black pepper for some spice. Be sure to flavor the salad and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

How to make the best salad recipe

If you always want accurate measurements, this salad may not be for you. I will try to provide estimated measurements in the recipe card though!

• Start adding yours Spring mix salad to a large bowl.
• Next, Drizzle olive oil over it and add all remaining ingredients.
• I like to use two large spoons or tongs to gently toss the lettuce to ensure each sheet is coated in the dressing. At this point you can Toss in an additional handful or two of salad mix if it seems like there might be some dressing left.
• Give the salad a quickly taste and adjust spices as needed.
• This evening salad is best enjoyed immediately because spring mix tends to get soggy quickly. But it only takes 5 minutes to make, so you can just throw them together before sitting down for dinner!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dinner Salad Recipe

• Can I add other vegetables to this evening salad? Naturally!! I just made Spring Blend because it’s super easy with no chopping required. I think 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 leaf for the salad? Yes, you can use any type of green you like! I prefer the spring mix because I feel like it really soaks up the dressing and you can just toss it in a bowl without cutting it!
• Can I make this salad ahead of time? If you’re using a tender lettuce like a spring mix, I wouldn’t recommend making it ahead of time as the lettuce gets soggy quickly. If you use romaine or kale, you might be able to get away with that.

Do you have a question that I haven’t answered? Ask me in the comments section below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Looking for more super easy dinner side dish recipes?

Easy Homemade Bean Sauce

Easy Roasted Vegetables

Cucumber Edamame Salad

Easy vegetarian pasta salad

Easy Homemade Coleslaw

This easy salad can be made right in the bowl and no measuring required! I like to add a little of each ingredient, take a taste and adjust the spices as needed. Please let me know if you need exact measurements!

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