Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze
A crisp, refreshing salad packed with seasonal vegetables and a tangy balsamic glaze for a light, flavorful finish. This contemporary-inspired salads (vegan-friendly) ready in about 15 minutes pairs Mixed greens, medium, sliced Cucumber, pint, halved Cherry tomatoes 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
- 4 cups Mixed greens
- 1 medium, sliced Cucumber
- 1 pint, halved Cherry tomatoes
- 1 small, thinly sliced Red onion
- 3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 4 cups mixed greens, 1 sliced cucumber, 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 small thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl.
- Step 2: In a small jar, whisk together 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
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 Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
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 Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze 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.
Is Low-Calorie Garden Salad with Balsamic Glaze vegan-friendly?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect salads recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
