A simple and delicious spring mix salad made with baby greens, tomatoes, cucumber, dried cherries, sunflower seeds and creamy goat cheese, drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing.

Is it weird to post a salad in February? It’s weird. But I don’t care because lately I’ve been eating like crap and now I’m craving all things SALAD.
If you guys have been here a while, you know I love me a good salad. Winter, spring, summer or fall – salads have a place in my heart and I feel like this Simple Spring Mix Salad is the perfect transition from winter to spring.
Here are the three things I always think about when making a salad.
- Color – I try to have different colors going on, so things pop and look appealing to the eye before you dig in.
- Texture – This is the most important thing to me. I want ALL the texture when it comes to salad. Crunchy, creamy, soft, you name it.
- Size – You want a salad to be fork friendly, meaning ingredients should be cut about the same size and easy to eat without getting smashed all over your face.
While salads don’t require cooking with heat, it’s all the more important to use high quality ingredients, including a high quality salt that brings out all the flavors in the surrounding ingredients.
The Home Cook’s Guide to Salt
Learn about the basics of salt, plus the best salt for cooking (hint: it’s Kosher salt!) with this easy-to-understand guide to salt for home cooks.
Another REALLY important, actually the most important part of a salad, is the dressing. Homemade salad dressing will change your life. I repeat.
HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSING WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
I promise you, it SO very simple to make, and you’re gonna love this wintery Maple Balsamic Dressing.
So if you’re like me and can pretty much taste spring, go ahead and give this recipe a try. You’re gonna love it!
10 Minute Simple Spring Mix Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad
Description
A simple and delicious spring mix salad made with baby greens, tomatoes, cucumber, dried cherries, sunflower seeds and creamy goat cheese, drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 bag greens (I use a spring mix)
- 2 small/medium tomatoes, cut into wedges (can also use cherry tomatoes)
- ½ large cucumber, sliced
- ⅓ cup dried cherries
- 3 tablespoons roasted, salted sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 – 1.5 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, dried cherries and sunflower seeds into a large bowl or platter. Toss lightly with desired amount of dressing then top with crumbled goat cheese.
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Whisk everything together until emulsified. Store remaining dressing in the fridge for 1 week.
Comments
Tracy
This has become a wonderful go-to light supper for my husband and me – we’ve been enjoying it as written or subbing crumbled gorgonzola or blue for the goat cheese – all taste great! So glad I stumbled on your blog, Laney, and look forward to trying more of your recipes – thank you!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you so much Tracy!
Lisa
I made this salad for my dinner party of 8, doubled the recipe including the dressing. It was delicious and a huge hit. I just sent it to my daughter in California who I know will also love it. I will make it again and again. Thanks for a great recipe! BTW I used a fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I love it, Lisa! And a good olive oil and balsamic make all the difference! Thanks for sharing and for the review.
Sheryl Cerniglia
Loved this recipe and posted it on my site with a link to yours it was absolutely delicious. I did not think maple syrup would work but it does.
Lisa Bailey
Made this salad for Christmas- so good! Will make again
★★★★★
Mary White
Cant wait to try this! I’m all about dried cherries right now. YUM!
I tried your lemon pasta with artichokes and it is delicious!
Thanks for giving me(cooking for 39 years) some new recipes I can get exited about!
Mary White
Life is but a Dish
I’m so happy, Mary!!
Rosy
It would be great if you’d tried it THEN post. It was easy and very good.
★★★★