Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my spring mix salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Spring Mix Salad:
The salad itself has only 4 ingredients (count ’em!), but each gives you a different aspect — sweet, creamy, crunchy, juicy, peppery, nutty. I’ve got it all here.
Spring Salad Mix – The one I buy has 7 different kinds of greens: baby lettuce, red and green chard, mizuna, arugula, frisee, and radicchio. Many of these are actually available at any time of year. Still, there’s something about the spring mix that just feels like spring! If you really want to include some truly seasonal leaves in your salad, feel free to throw in some watercress or collard greens, or even baby spinach. Blueberries – Feel free to change it up with other berries, like raspberries or strawberries. I recommend using the same ones in your salad dressing. If you have extra fruit, use it to make my homemade fruit leather! Walnuts – You can buy raw or roasted, but I recommend roasting them if you buy raw. You could also use other nuts, such as pecans, almonds, or pistachios, or opt for sunflower or pumpkin seeds if you need a nut-free option. Goat Cheese – You can buy a log and crumble yourself, but I get already crumbled goat cheese for convenience. For a different flavor, try feta cheese, shaved parmesan, or even blue cheese.
Sometimes I throw in some diced cucumbers for a bright crunch, fresh peas for a different layer of sweetness, or thinly sliced red onions for a peppery bite.
Blueberry Vinaigrette:
To me, the blueberry dressing is what really steals the show in this spring mix salad. My family loves the fruity taste, and I love that they happily eat more salad!
Olive Oil – I recommend a light olive oil like this one, as I think it tastes better in a fruity dressing than extra virgin. Avocado oil also works well. Apple Cider Vinegar – I like this one with the mother. The vinegar helps the dressing emulsify, and also adds a tangy element. Lemon juice makes a good substitute if you need one. Blueberries – I mean, you can’t have a blueberry vinaigrette without blueberries. ? Sweetener – While the berries add a natural sweetness, the dressing isn’t really sweet at all from them alone. You don’t have to add a sweetener, but I add a touch of powdered Besti, which is all natural and dissolves effortlessly, without any gritty texture or added sugar. You can also use maple syrup or honey, or my natural sugar-free maple syrup or sugar-free honey for a pop of flavor. I don’t recommend using most other sugar substitutes, as most of them don’t dissolve well, but plain powdered allulose would also work. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Spring Mix Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Spring mix salad doesn’t store well once you’ve added the dressing. The leaves turn limp quickly! I always recommend a light vinaigrette for spring mix salad recipes, to avoid overpowering the delicate greens. If this one is “too much blueberry” for you, try my simpler lemon vinaigrette, the maple dressing from my kale salad, or the honey dressing from my pomegranate salad. However, you can store the salad and dressing in separate airtight containers (or a produce container) in the refrigerator. The salad will last only a couple of days, but I’ve made the dressing up to 5 days ahead with no issues.
Serving Ideas
Warm spring weather means I just want to be outside! So, I like to make some easy main dishes with this spring mix salad — either to make outside or at least let me get out there fast:
Meal Salad – One of the easiest ways to serve this salad is to simply add a protein on top and make it a meal! I like to add sliced grilled chicken breast or baked chicken breast for the easiest options, but it’s also yummy with a baked salmon fillet on top. Grill Mains – Spring is the best time to break out the grill and make my flaky grilled salmon, Mediterranean-inspired chicken kabobs, or a juicy grilled steak. And if you want to get fancy, grill up some lobster tails. Air Fryer Mains – If it’s raining, but I still want something quick and “springy”, I make air fried boneless chicken thighs, 5-minute air fryer brats, or the juiciest air fryer pork chops. Seafood – I love this spring salad with lemony recipes like my baked tilapia or garlic butter shrimp, but it really pairs well with any of my fish recipes. For a special date night meal, make my lobster recipe or crab legs. Steak – Anyone who knows me knows that I’d make filet mignon every day if it wasn’t so dark expensive, but you can totally make a more reasonable flank steak. Or just top your salad with my sirloin steak tips!
More Spring Salad Recipes
If you like my spring mix salad, you might also like some of my other spring salad ideas:
My Favorite Blender For This Recipe
With 5 different speeds, I can easily customize the consistency of the vinaigrette with this blender, but it’s also great for soups, sauces, and of course, smoothies! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
