Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Recipe
There’s something so satisfying about tossing together a Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette—the kind of dish that feels as fresh, vibrant, and celebratory as a sunny spring afternoon. With juicy Honeycrisp apple, tangy goat cheese, and jeweled dried cherries, each bite delivers a medley of flavors and textures, all harmonized by a homemade raspberry vinaigrette that’s tart and lush. It’s a recipe anyone can master and everyone will adore, making it a go-to whether you’re hosting brunch or craving a salad that actually excites you!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette truly celebrates simple ingredients, letting each element shine on its own while also playing together beautifully. Every item on this list adds an important note—fresh crunch, creamy tang, sweetness, or that pop of color that makes your bowl irresistible.
- Mixed leafy greens: The fresh, crisp foundation of your salad; choose your favorite blend for texture and color.
- Honeycrisp apple: Thinly sliced for the best crunch and natural sweetness that pairs wonderfully with savory flavors.
- Red onion: Sliced as thin as possible, these lend sharpness and a vivid purple hue that enlivens the whole salad.
- Dried cherries: Juicy and chewy, they bring pockets of tart-sweet goodness scattered throughout.
- Pecans: Toasted or raw, their buttery crunch adds depth and a nutty aroma in each bite.
- Goat cheese: Creamy, tangy, and just a bit earthy; the herb version gives an extra flavor boost.
- Lemon juice: A quick squeeze keeps your apples from browning while imparting brightness to the salad.
- Olive oil: The velvety foundation for your vinaigrette; use the best you have for maximum flavor.
- Cherry preserves: Adds luscious fruitiness and balances the tang of the vinegar in the dressing.
- Fresh raspberries: These provide gorgeous color and a vibrant, fruity zing to the vinaigrette.
- Red wine vinegar: Brings needed acidity to pull the dressing together and enhance every flavor in the bowl.
How to Make Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Gather every component of your Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, and organize them on your countertop. Wash the greens and spin them dry for maximum crispness, then thinly slice your Honeycrisp apple and red onion. Measure out your dried cherries, pecans, and crumbled goat cheese for quick assembly later.
Step 2: Build the Salad Base
Place the leafy greens in a large platter or your prettiest salad bowl, spreading them out so there’s plenty of room for all the toppings to show off. Lay the apple and onion slices artfully over the greens, then scatter the dried cherries and pecans. Crumble the goat cheese over the top, letting creamy white clouds nestle among the veggies. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over everything—this step brightens the flavors and keeps your apple slices looking just-picked.
Step 3: Make the Raspberry Vinaigrette
In a blender or food processor, blend together the olive oil, cherry preserves, fresh raspberries, and red wine vinegar. Whiz on high for about 30 seconds, until the dressing becomes a dreamy, smooth mixture in a glowing ruby color. Taste and add another spoonful of preserves if you want a sweeter drizzle. This raspberry vinaigrette’s homemade tang is what makes this salad so memorable!
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Transfer your raspberry vinaigrette to a small pitcher or pretty jar so it’s easy to drizzle. Pour the dressing lightly over the salad, starting with less and adding more to taste—a little goes a surprisingly long way. Toss just before serving to coat every leaf and topping evenly. Any extra dressing can be refrigerated and will easily perk up tomorrow’s lunch salad.
How to Serve Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Garnishes
Finish your Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette with a scattering of extra raspberries or a twist of fresh cracked pepper for a lovely visual and flavor boost. Fresh herbs like chives or tarragon, or even lemon zest, can also add a fragrant note if you want to get fancy.
Side Dishes
This beautiful salad loves sharing the table with crusty bread or baguette slices for soaking up any leftover vinaigrette. It’s also a fantastic match for grilled chicken, salmon, or roasted vegetables. If you’re planning for a brunch, serve with frittata or quiche—trust me, this combination is always a hit.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, assemble the Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette on individual plates, layering the ingredients for a restaurant-style effect. Or, serve in a wide, shallow dish for a dramatic presentation at a party buffet. You can even stuff the salad into pita bread for a refreshing picnic-friendly option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, keep the salad and dressing separate for best results. Store the undressed salad in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture—the salad will stay crisp for about 2 days. Keep the extra raspberry vinaigrette in a covered jar in the fridge for up to five days.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad; leafy greens and fresh fruit lose their texture and become soggy once thawed. However, the raspberry vinaigrette can be frozen in a small airtight container for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and shake well before using.
Reheating
No reheating needed for this dish—just toss and enjoy! If you chilled the salad beforehand, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving to restore its flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of apple?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples are ideal for their sweet-tart flavor and crunch, feel free to try Gala, Fuji, or even a tart Granny Smith if you like a sharper bite—they all work beautifully.
What’s a good substitute for goat cheese?
If goat cheese isn’t your thing, try crumbled feta for a more pronounced tang or soft fresh mozzarella for a milder, creamy texture. Blue cheese is also delicious if you’re in the mood for a bolder flavor.
Is there a nut-free option?
Of course! In place of pecans, use toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or just leave the nuts out entirely. The salad is still brimming with wonderful textures.
Can I make the vinaigrette without a blender?
Yes! Mash the raspberries with a fork, then whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients by hand. It won’t be quite as smooth but will still taste sensational on the Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette.
Will the vinaigrette work on other salads?
Definitely. The raspberry vinaigrette is incredibly versatile—try it on spinach salads, with roasted beets, or drizzled over grain bowls. Its sweet-tart profile makes any salad feel like a treat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a recipe that transforms everyday ingredients into something truly special, you can’t go wrong with this Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette. The burst of flavors, stunning colors, and ease of preparation make it an absolute staple in my kitchen—I hope it becomes one in yours, too!
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Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Simple Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette is a delightful mix of fresh greens, fruits, nuts, and cheese, topped with a tangy homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Mixed Leafy Greens:
6 cups
Honeycrisp Apple:
1 large (thinly sliced)
Red Onion:
1 small (thinly sliced)
Dried Cherries:
½ cup
Pecans:
1/3 cup
Goat Cheese:
1/3 cup (crumbled herb goat cheese)
Lemon Juice:
Juice from 1 lemon
Olive Oil:
1/2 cup
Cherry Preserves:
2 tablespoons
Fresh Raspberries:
½ cup
Red Wine Vinegar:
1/4 cup
Instructions
- Prepare Greens: Place mixed greens in a large platter or bowl.
- Make Raspberry Vinaigrette: Blend olive oil, cherry preserves, raspberries, and red wine vinegar in a blender until smooth.
- Drizzle and Serve: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toppings. Use as much dressing as preferred.
Top with apples, onions, cherries, pecans, and goat cheese. Squeeze lemon juice over the salad.
Add more cherry preserves for extra flavor if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more cherry preserves.
- The vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for future use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: Green Salad, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Mixed Greens, Healthy Salad
