This Loaded Garden Fresh Italian Veggie Salad with Spring Mix has all the healthy ingredients your body needs to fuel up for the day! Full of color and bursting with flavor, this salad is great as a side or perfect on its own. Want to use up all of those fresh vegetables? Make it as a meal prep!
Ingredients
- Lettuce - The spring mix variety was used in this salad.
- Tomato - We prefer grape tomatoes, but use your favorite!
- Cucumber - English cucumbers are our pick for fresh garden salads.
- Carrots - One small carrot peeled and diced.
- Olives - Large Queen olives with pimento
- Radish - One small radish will do.
- Bell Pepper - Any color will work. Use what you have left over.
- Onion - Red onions make a great salad onion
- Croutons - Croutons are best when made homemade. Yum!
- Salt
- Pepper
Dressing
- Italian Vinaigrette
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Dressing
There are several ways to prepare homemade salad dressings:
1). Use a bowl to whisk or stir the ingredients together.
2). Put all of your ingredients in a mason jar with a lid, then give it a little shake.
3). Use a stick blender to blend the salad dressing ingredients together. This is helpful if the dressing includes a garlic clove or anchovies.
4). Use an oil and vinegar dispenser with your favorite extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to drizzle on salads as needed.
Homemade salad dressings are easy to make if you keep some essential ingredients on hand. See our Top 10 Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes for the dressings we love the most.
Step Two: Prepare Homemade Croutons (optional)
Preparing homemade croutons is as easy as cutting up a loaf of french bread, mixing in some melted butter, topping it all with your favorite herbs and spices, then baking for 10-15 minutes in the oven. They really add such amazing flavor!
Step Three: Prepare Ingredients
Cut or tear up lettuce into small portions. Wash all lettuce and produce thoroughly, then set it aside to drain in a colander. While lettuce is draining, dice all remaining ingredients into small salad-sized portions.
Step Four: Assemble and Serve
Assemble the salad in layers with lettuce on the bottom, followed by fresh diced vegetables, and any additional cheeses, croutons, nuts, and/or seeds.
Add a small amount of dressing and give it a good toss. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve immediately.
Equipment
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Storage
Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator without dressing for 2-3 days. If the salad is moist from being washed, place a paper towel on top of it to draw out the moisture.
Top Tips
Buy pre-washed and ready-to-eat lettuce to save time.
More Recipes
Have leftover ingredients?
- Leftover radish can be used in this Ahi Tuna Steak Salad or this Poke Bowl.
In the mood for a similar dish?
Try these other salad recipes ideas:
Even more lunch recipes you will love:
FAQ
If you prefer a milder taste, then yes. Soaking red onions in ice water for 20-30 minutes will mellow out their flavor.
📖 Recipe
Loaded Veggie Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- ½ head Lettuce
- 5 qty Grape tomatoes
- ⅓ qty English cucumber
- ½ small Carrot (peeled and diced)
- 1 slice Bell pepper
- 5 qty Queen olives
- 1 small Radish
- 1 thin slice Red onion
- 10 qty Croutons
- ¼ teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper (or to taste)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoon Italian Vinaigrette
Instructions
Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Salad
- Wash lettuce and set it aside to drain in a colander.
- Wash remaining produce and cut into small salad sized portions.
- Assemble salad with all ingredients.
- Drizzle prepared dressing on top.
- Gently toss the salad and serve immediately.
Food Safety
- Wash hands and create a clean work area.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
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