Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A crisp, refreshing salad featuring heirloom vegetables and a bright citrus dressing, echoing the gated community's fresh gardens. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed baby greens, halved cherry tomatoes, medium peeled and sliced cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed baby greens
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 medium peeled and sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together 1/2 of a lemon (zested and juiced), 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed baby greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, and 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives.
- Step 3: Drizzle 3/4 of the vinaigrette over the salad, toss gently until evenly coated, and serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon 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 Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon 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 Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon 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 Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon 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 Sanford Gated Garden Salad with Lemon 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.
