Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing salad featuring crisp greens, roasted beets, and a tangy citrus vinaigrette, mirroring the seamless experience of Budget's car rental reservations. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs mixed greens, beets, walnuts 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 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 5 oz mixed greens in a large bowl. Top with 2 medium diced roasted beets, 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper until fully emulsified.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, then toss gently using salad tongs until all ingredients are coated and the dressing is distributed.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately while greens are crisp and bright, ensuring the dressing doesn't wilt the vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing?

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 Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing?

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 Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing 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 Midtown Manhattan Salad with Budget Dressing?

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.

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