Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons
A garden salad featuring homemade croutons made from auctioned bread, topped with a light vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs Mixed greens, Cherry tomatoes, 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 210 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
- 6 cups Mixed greens
- 1 cup, halved Cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced Cucumber
- 4 oz, cubed Bread
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 4 oz cubed bread with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt, spreading in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until golden and crisp, then let cool.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and 1/4 tsp salt until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 6 cups mixed greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/2 cup sliced cucumber. Drizzle with 3/4 of the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.
- Step 4: Divide salad among plates, top with cooled bread cubes, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil. Serve with remaining vinaigrette on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons?
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 mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons?
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 Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons 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 Brainerd Estate Salad with Lure Croutons?
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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
