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Vibrant spring salad with asparagus, radishes, snap peas, and hard-boiled eggs in a black bowl.

Spring Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette

A light and vibrant spring salad featuring crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade lemon-mint vinaigrette, perfect as a refreshing side or a light lunch.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 210

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 1-2 lemons
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup optional, for sweetness balance
  • Pinch salt to taste
  • Pinch black pepper freshly ground, to taste
For the Salad
  • 5 oz mixed spring greens e.g., arugula, spinach, butter lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 4 oz asparagus spears trimmed and halved diagonally, optionally blanched
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
  • 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds optional

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's Knife
  • Salad Spinner

Method
 

Prepare the Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette
  1. In a small bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, finely chopped fresh mint, Dijon mustard, and honey or maple syrup (if using).
  2. Whisk vigorously until the vinaigrette is well emulsified and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
  1. Wash the mixed spring greens thoroughly and dry them using a salad spinner or by gently patting with paper towels. Place the dried greens into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced English cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the greens.
  3. For the asparagus, you can either add it raw for a crisp texture or blanch it briefly. To blanch, bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the asparagus, and cook for 1-2 minutes until vibrant green and slightly tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain well. Add to the salad.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Just before serving, pour the prepared lemon-mint vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl.
  2. Gently toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to bruise the greens.
  3. Divide the Spring Salad among individual serving plates. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toasted slivered almonds for extra flavor and crunch. Serve immediately as a refreshing side or a light meal.

Notes

For an enhanced flavor and crunch, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad. The vinaigrette can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; whisk well before using. Feel free to customize the salad with other spring vegetables like radishes, snap peas, or avocado.