Edible Flower & Green Spring Salad
A delicate salad featuring edible flowers and crisp greens, dressed in a honey-lime vinaigrette to capture the essence of a garden bloom. This general-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs mixed spring greens, nasturtium flowers, pansy flowers 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 80 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
- 4 cups mixed spring greens
- 1/4 cup nasturtium flowers
- 2 tbsp pansy flowers
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Gently wash and pat dry 4 cups mixed spring greens, then arrange in a shallow bowl.
- Step 2: In a small jar, combine 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 1/4 tsp sea salt; shake vigorously until emulsified.
- Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp of the dressing over the greens and toss gently until evenly coated and the leaves glisten.
- Step 4: Scatter 1/4 cup nasturtium flowers and 2 tbsp pansy flowers over the salad, then add the remaining dressing just before serving to keep flowers vibrant.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Edible Flower & Green Spring Salad 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 Edible Flower & Green Spring 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 mixed spring greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Edible Flower & Green Spring 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 Edible Flower & Green Spring Salad 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 Edible Flower & Green Spring Salad?
General 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
