Fresh Garden Greens: A Lively Green Salad Recipe for Every Table

Fresh summer gardens burst with vibrant green salad ingredients that promise crisp, delightful flavors.

Colorful vegetables dance across ceramic plates, inviting adventurous palates.

Crisp lettuce leaves whisper of cool, refreshing moments waiting to unfold.

Seasonal produce brings unexpected textures and bright nutrition to your plate.

Crunchy cucumber slices mingle with tangy tomatoes, creating a symphony of natural goodness.

Herbs scattered generously add unexpected zest and aromatic complexity.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this simple, elegant creation.

Fun Variations of Mary Berry Green Salad to Try

• Vegan Green Crunch: Replace bacon with crispy tofu bits or tempeh crumbles for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Garden Mix: Swap sunflower seeds with almonds or pumpkin seeds and eliminate onions for a keto-friendly version.
• Mediterranean Green Splash: Add feta cheese, replace sunflower seeds with pine nuts, and incorporate olive oil with herbs for a Mediterranean-style salad.
• Gluten-Free Fresh Blend: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use tamari instead of traditional soy-based dressing ingredients.

What Works Well with Mary Berry Green Salad

• Enhance Crisp Flavors: Pair this green salad with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, whose bright acidity complements the fresh vegetables and tangy dressing perfectly.
• Elevate Protein Balance: Serve alongside grilled chicken or pan-seared salmon to create a complete meal that highlights the salad's crunchy textures and light profile.
• Bread Companion: Enjoy with a rustic sourdough or warm garlic bread to soak up the delicious dressing and add a satisfying carbohydrate element to the dish.
• Match Herbal Notes: Select a light, herbal-forward white wine like Pinot Grigio, which echoes the green ingredients and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the bacon's richness.

How to Store Mary Berry Green Salad for Freshness

• Keep salad components separate from dressing to prevent wilting. Store greens, cucumber, and other ingredients in one sealed container, and dressing in another. Consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
• Salad ingredients like cucumber and leafy greens lose crispness and texture when frozen. Bacon and sunflower seeds may become soggy and unappetizing after thawing.
• Before serving leftovers, drain any excess moisture. Gently re-toss ingredients with fresh dressing. Add extra crispy bacon or seeds to restore crunch.
• Enjoy salad immediately after preparation for maximum flavor and texture. Prepare smaller portions to minimize potential waste and maintain quality.

FAQs for Mary Berry Green Salad

• What types of greens work best for this salad?

Crisp lettuce like romaine or mixed spring greens are ideal. They provide a fresh base and hold the dressing well without getting soggy.

• Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon. You can replace it with roasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch and protein.

• How long can I prepare the dressing in advance?

The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake before using.

• Is this salad good for meal prep?

While best served fresh, you can prep ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent wilting.

What Makes Mary Berry Green Salad So Refreshing

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients based on your pantry or preferences, making this green salad incredibly flexible for any meal or dietary need.
• Quick Assembly Magic: Prepare the entire dish in mere minutes, perfect for busy individuals seeking a nutritious and delicious side or light meal.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Packed with vibrant textures and flavors from crisp greens, crunchy seeds, and savory bacon, this salad appeals to everyone from kids to adults.
• Healthy Indulgence: Combines fresh vegetables with protein-rich toppings, offering a balanced and satisfying dish that doesn't compromise on taste or nutrition.

All the Ingredients for Mary Berry Green Salad

• Greens: A crisp base for the salad that provides freshness and nutrition.
• Cucumber: Adds a cool, crunchy element to the salad.
• Red Onion: Brings a sharp and tangy flavor to the dish.

• Bacon: Adds a savory and crispy texture to the salad.
• Sunflower Seeds: Provides a nutty crunch and additional protein.

• Olive Oil, Vinegar, Salt, Pepper: Create a simple and flavorful dressing that ties all the ingredients together.

Putting Together Mary Berry Green Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing

Grab a jar and toss in all the dressing ingredients. Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until everything blends into a smooth, tantalizing mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Chop and Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Fresh crisp greens
• Crunchy cucumber
• Sharp red onion
• Nutty sunflower seeds
• Crispy bacon bits

Slice and dice each ingredient into bite-sized pieces that’ll create a delightful texture explosion.

Step 3: Toss and Coat with Flavor

Drop all your chopped ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl. Pour the just-made dressing over the top. Use salad tongs or two large spoons to gently mix everything, ensuring each morsel gets a delicious coating of the zesty dressing.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Immediately

Transfer your green salad to serving plates or a beautiful bowl. The key is to enjoy right away while the greens are crisp and the dressing is perfectly distributed. Each bite promises a burst of fresh flavors and satisfying crunch.

Great Tips for the Perfect Mary Berry Green Salad

• Shake Dressing with Vigor: Combine ingredients in a sealed jar and shake vigorously to create a smooth, well-blended vinaigrette that coats every ingredient perfectly.
• Chill Ingredients First: Refrigerate greens and vegetables before assembling to keep the salad crisp and refreshing, enhancing the overall texture and flavor.
• Prep Seeds and Bacon Ahead: Toast sunflower seeds lightly and crisp bacon in advance to add extra crunch and depth to the salad.
• Dress Just Before Serving: Add dressing moments before serving to prevent wilting and maintain the salad's fresh, vibrant appearance and crisp texture.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap bacon for plant-based alternatives or omit for a vegetarian version, and use gluten-free seeds for those with specific dietary restrictions.

Green Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crisp Mediterranean Green Salad brings refreshing flavors straight from coastal kitchens, combining vibrant ingredients with zesty dressing. Tangy herbs and crunchy vegetables create a perfect light meal that will delight your palate with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 cups mixed greens or lettuce
• 1 cucumber
• 1/4 red onion

Protein and Toppings:

• 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup crumbled bacon or bacon bits

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Gather fresh crisp greens and slice ingredients into uniform pieces for balanced texture and visual appeal.
2. Combine dressing components in a sealed container, vigorously shaking for 15-20 seconds until ingredients emulsify and form a smooth, cohesive mixture.
3. In a spacious mixing vessel, layer chopped greens as the foundational element, strategically arranging cucumber slices, thinly cut onion, crunchy sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon for maximum flavor distribution.
4. Immediately prior to presenting the salad, drizzle prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently toss using salad utensils, ensuring each component is lightly coated and flavors are thoroughly integrated.
5. Transfer salad to serving dish and consume within 10-15 minutes for optimal freshness and crisp vegetable integrity.

Notes

• Chill plates and serving bowl beforehand to keep salad crisp and refreshing.
• Prep ingredients right before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent wilting.
• Customize by swapping bacon with plant-based bacon or omitting for vegetarian version.
• Store dressing separately from salad to prevent soggy greens and preserve texture until serving moment.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Shaking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 170 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg