Michigan Cherry and Goat Cheese Mixed Green Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A fresh mixed green salad combining sweet dried Michigan cherries, tangy goat cheese, and a zesty balsamic vinaigrette for a light but flavorful starter or side. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs mixed salad greens, dried Michigan tart cherries, crumbled goat cheese 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 210 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 mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup dried Michigan tart cherries
• 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/4 cup, roughly chopped toasted walnuts
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

The salad spinner we’d dry the greens in → Best Salad Spinners for 2026: Picks That Actually Dry Greens

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, 1/2 cup dried Michigan tart cherries, 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese, and 1/4 cup toasted walnuts.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.