Clean Herb Lemon Green Salad
A crisp, refreshing salad featuring mixed greens, zesty lemon dressing, and a blend of fresh herbs for a light, vibrant meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs (120g) mixed greens, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil 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 120 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 (120g) mixed greens
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- 1 tbsp (chopped) fresh mint
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 2: Add 5 cups mixed greens to a large bowl, then pour the dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clean Herb Lemon Green 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 Clean Herb Lemon Green 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 (120g) mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clean Herb Lemon Green 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 Clean Herb Lemon Green 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 Clean Herb Lemon Green 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
