Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad
A minimalist salad embodying the 'authentic' philosophy of simplicity, featuring crisp greens and a bright vinaigrette with no unnecessary additions. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs (halved) cherry tomatoes, (thinly sliced) red onion, (sliced) cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 115 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 5 cups (butter lettuce, arugula) mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup (halved) cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup (thinly sliced) red onion
- 1/4 cup (sliced) cucumber
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare vinaigrette: Whisk 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 5 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 1/4 cup cucumber slices, and 1/4 cup shredded carrots.
- Step 3: Drizzle 2 tablespoons vinaigrette over salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and greens are lightly dressed.
- Step 4: Taste and add remaining vinaigrette if desired (avoid over-dressing). Divide among plates immediately before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (halved) cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Existentialist Garden Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
