Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
A layered salad featuring fresh garden vegetables and a vibrant herb dressing, inspired by their planter design workshops. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 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 180 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 greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/4 cup radishes
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 1 tbsp fresh mint
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash and dry 4 cups mixed greens thoroughly. Slice 1 cup cherry tomatoes in half, dice 1/2 cup cucumber into 1/4-inch pieces, and thinly slice 1/4 cup radishes.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 2 tbsp chopped basil, and 1 tbsp chopped mint until emulsified.
- Step 3: Arrange mixed greens in a shallow bowl, then layer sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and radishes evenly over the greens.
- Step 4: Drizzle the herb vinaigrette over the salad, using 2/3 of the dressing. Toss gently with salad tongs until all ingredients are coated and the greens are evenly dressed.
- Step 5: Season with a pinch of sea salt and serve immediately, drizzling with the remaining dressing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 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 Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb 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 Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb 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 Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb 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.
Is Garden Center Planter Salad with Herb Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.