Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A crisp, no-filter salad featuring fresh herbs and bright citrus dressing, mirroring a clean DSL setup. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, 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 220 calories and feeds 2, 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 oz mixed greens
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash and dry 5 oz mixed greens thoroughly in a salad spinner. Divide evenly between two plates.
- Step 2: Arrange 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion over the greens.
- Step 3: Zest 1 lemon into a small bowl, then cut it in half and juice 2 tbsp. Whisk in 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1/2 tsp honey until emulsified.
- Step 4: Drizzle dressing over salad immediately before serving, ensuring every leaf is lightly coated without sogginess.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
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 Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
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 Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Direct Connection Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
