Bright Lemon Vinaigrette Salad (Printable)

A vibrant spring salad with radishes, peas, mixed greens, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups mixed spring greens (arugula, baby spinach, and watercress)
02 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and sliced diagonally
03 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen green peas
04 - 6 radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

06 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, sugar snap peas, green peas, radishes, and red onion.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Drizzle lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls.
05 - Garnish with fresh chives and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes, which means you can make it on a weeknight without the fuss.
  • The lemon vinaigrette is so bright and alive that it makes even simple greens taste like something special.
  • Those crispy radishes and sugar snap peas stay crunchy right up until you eat it, which honestly feels like a small victory.
02 -
  • If you dress this more than a few minutes before eating, the radishes will start to lose their crunch and the greens will wilt—so make the vinaigrette ahead if you want, but dress the salad at the last possible moment.
  • Taste your lemon juice before you use it; sometimes it's more sour than bright, and adjusting the honey or adding a tiny pinch more salt can save the entire balance of flavors.
03 -
  • Make the vinaigrette in a jar so you can shake it right before serving if it's separated—this takes five seconds and fixes everything.
  • If you're cooking for someone who is particular about onion, shave it even thinner or reduce it to just a few wisps; raw onion can surprise people if they're not expecting it.
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