Simple Life-Inspired Fresh Veggie Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

A crisp, refreshing salad packed with fresh vegetables and a bright homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegan, gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs mixed salad greens, cucumber, 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 110 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 salad greens
• 1 medium, sliced into half-moons cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 small, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 small, thinly sliced red onion
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 medium cucumber sliced into half-moons, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 small diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 small thinly sliced red onion.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly.
3. Step 3: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all vegetables evenly.
4. Step 4: Serve immediately for a fresh, vibrant salad experience.