This spring mix salad combines fresh greens, seasonal fruit, crunchy sesame-roasted cashews, and tangy feta for a bright, balanced side or light main. A simple white-wine-and-honey dressing ties the flavors together, making this an ideal salad to serve with grilled chicken, steak, or on its own for a colorful lunch.
The Best Spring Mix Salad
If you love a salad that’s both fresh and satisfying, this spring mix salad delivers. It uses a prepared spring mix as the base and adds layers of texture and flavor: crisp cucumbers, sweet berries, sharp red onion, salty feta, and crunchy maple sesame cashews. The dressing is intentionally simple so the ingredients shine.
What’s in This Spring Mix Salad?
Here are the components that make this salad bright, textural, and satisfying:
- Spring mix lettuce — a blend of tender lettuces and baby greens.
- Sesame-roasted cashews — raw cashews coated in maple syrup and sesame for a sweet, nutty crunch.
- White wine vinegar and honey — the base for a light, tangy dressing.
- English cucumber — thinly sliced for cool crunch.
- Fresh blueberries and strawberries — seasonal fruit adds sweetness and color.
- Red onion — finely minced for a mild bite.
- Feta crumbles — bring salty creaminess to balance the fruit and nuts.
- Olive oil and lemon zest — finish the dressing for rounded flavor.
- Salt and pepper — essential seasoning throughout.
Variations
Mix up the vegetables
Swap ingredients to match the season or what you have on hand:
- Cucumbers → thinly sliced bell pepper (red or green)
- Red onion → sliced green onions
- Spring mix → arugula for more peppery flavor
Add the crunch
If you’d rather not make the sesame cashews, other crunchy toppings work well:
- Pistachios
- Maple-roasted pecans
- Slivered almonds
- Candied walnuts
Change up the fruit
Strawberries and blueberries are a classic spring pairing, but peaches, raspberries, apples, or dried fruit would also be delicious.
Sesame Roasted Cashews
The maple sesame roasted cashews are quick to make and add the signature crunch that lifts this salad. They’re made with just a few ingredients and bake in the oven until golden. You’ll likely have leftovers — store them airtight for snacking or future salads.
- 4 ingredients: raw cashews, maple syrup, sesame seeds, salt.
- Ready in 30 minutes: quick prep and a short roast time.
- Versatile: great on salads, as a snack, or in gifts.
All About the Dressing
The dressing is a simple white wine vinegar and honey vinaigrette brightened with lemon zest and finished with olive oil. Its light acidity and gentle sweetness complement the fruit and feta without overpowering the salad. Keep the dressing separate if you’re storing the salad in advance.
How to Make This Spring Mix Salad
- Prepare the cashews. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Toss raw cashews with maple syrup, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast, stirring every few minutes, until golden (about 9–10 minutes). Let cool until crispy.
- Marinate cucumbers. Whisk white wine vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Add sliced English cucumbers and let them sit in the vinegar mixture for 10–15 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for more flavor).
- Assemble the salad. Combine the spring mix, blueberries, sliced strawberries, and finely minced red onion in a large bowl. Remove cucumbers with a slotted spoon and add them to the salad.
- Make the dressing. Take about 3 tablespoons of the cucumber-vinegar mixture and whisk with 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, and a little black pepper to taste.
- Finish and serve. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently, then sprinkle with crumbled feta and ½–1 cup roasted cashews. Serve immediately.
What to Serve with This Salad
This salad is versatile. Enjoy it on its own for a light lunch, top with grilled or pan-seared chicken for added protein, or serve it as a side to grilled steak, burgers, or slow-cooked pulled chicken. The bright flavors pair well with simply prepared mains.
Storage
To keep the salad crisp, store the spring mix, fruit, cucumbers, and toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator and keep the dressing separate. Dress the salad just before serving.
More Salad Ideas
Salad Recipes
- Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Grilled Chicken Salad
- Easy Salmon Salad
- Steak Salad
- Butter Lettuce Salad
Spring Mix Salad Recipe
Prep time: 30 mins • Cook time: 9 mins • Total: 39 mins • Serves: 6
Ingredients
- For the cashews
- 2 cups whole raw cashews
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- For the salad & dressing
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sliced English cucumbers
- 5 oz spring mix lettuce
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced strawberries
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely minced
- 2/3 cup feta crumbles
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Notes & Tips
- You will likely have leftover roasted cashews — store them in an airtight container for snacking.
- Let cucumbers sit in the vinegar mixture for more flavor, or refrigerate them overnight.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
Nutrition (approx.)
Per serving: Calories: 307 kcal; Carbohydrates: 33 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 18 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 20 g. Nutrition values are estimates and should be used as a guideline.