Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad inspired by the Land of Oz's vibrant landscapes, featuring crisp greens and a zesty citrus dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed baby greens, medium, thinly sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion 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 280 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
- 5 oz mixed baby greens
- 1/2 medium, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup, pitted kalamata olives
- 1/2, diced avocado
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp lemon zest until combined.
- Step 2: Gradually whisk in 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 5 oz mixed baby greens, 1/2 medium thinly sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, and 1/2 diced avocado.
- Step 4: Drizzle 2/3 of the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and the greens are lightly dressed. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus 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 baby greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus 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 Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus 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.
What goes well with Oz's Emerald Garden Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
