Easy Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe With Summer Berry Salad
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a tangy citrus vinaigrette and seasonal healthy salad. Citrus Vinaigrette and Berry Salad are full of fresh ingredients that are so easy to throw together for a quick lunch or at the end of a long day. Making your own dressings takes any salad to the next level and this healthy dressing is better than anything you’ll find at the grocery store!
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Why You’re Going to Love This Easy Summer Salad
- Just look at it – it’s so pretty! The citrusy flavors are perfect for your family or as an easy way to impress guests this summer.
- Kids love berries – and this is a great way to sneak fresh fruit into your dinner rotation.
- The homemade dressing with citrus juices is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. Plus, homemade salad dressings let you control the ingredient list and can be made on-demand to suit the salad you’re serving.
- It’s so easy to make changes to the salad ingredients based upon what you have at home or your family’s preferences. Check out the suggestions in the section below for some of my favorite swaps!
A Few Suggestions For This Recipe
- This recipe is easily customizable to your family’s tastes – which is super important if you have a house full of picky eaters!
- You can substitute the spring mix for spinach or romaine lettuce.
- Swap out the chopped pecans for sliced almonds or chopped walnuts. Or, if there are allergies in your home, simply leave the nuts out and you’ve still got an amazing salad everyone can enjoy.
- Mix and match the berries depending upon what you have on hand – you can even add in a drained can of orange slices or a chopped apple.
- When using feta cheese, I highly recommend using fresh feta (the type that comes in full blocks, in a tub of brine). It is on an entirely another level than the dry crumbled feta and will make this salad stand out. You can also substitute crumbled goat cheese on the salad.
- It’s best to use pulp-free orange juice when making the salad dressing. It still tastes basically the same if you use juice that has pulp in it, but the balsamic vinegar gravitates to the pulp and you end up with brown sticky pieces all over it. (For this reason, I also avoid using fresh orange juice.)
What You’ll Need to Make Summer Berry Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing
Healthy Salad Ingredients
- 12 cups of spring mix salad greens
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/3 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pulp-free orange juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
If you want to change the flavor in the dressing up a bit, substitute the balsamic vinegar for white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar is a great option. You could also add a little bit of orange zest for an extra flavor punch.
How to Make the Summer Berry Salad & Citrus Dressing
Step One
In a large serving bowl, combine the spring mix lettuce, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Next, top the salad mixture with the chopped pecans and feta cheese.
Step Two
In a separate, small bowl, mix together the orange juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey with a whisk until it’s completely combined. (You can also put all of the ingredients into a mason jar, close the lid, and give the covered jar a good shake to mix everything together.)
When you’re ready to serve the salad, pour the dressing into the salad bowl and use tongs or salad serving utensils to toss the salad and dressing together until it’s coated.
The citrus salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container or glass jar in your refrigerator for up to a week.
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
- Mediterranean Salad Dressing Recipes With Greek Chopped Salad
- Grilled Chicken and Chickpea Salad With a Simple Vinaigrette
- Best Every Rosemary Balsamic Steak Salad (My FAVORITE dressing ever!)
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken – the Perfect Meal Prep Start to So Many Healthy Recipes
- How to Make the Perfect Restuarant Style Salad
- Cauliflower Broccoli Salad With Bacon
- Seared Ahi Tuna Greek Chopped Salad
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Easy Summer Berry Salad with Citrus Dressing
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 12 cups of spring mix salad greens
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 1/3 cup pecans chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Citrus Salad Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pulp-free orange juice
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1.5 TBSP balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
Step One
- In a large serving bowl, combine the spring mix lettuce, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
- Next, top the salad mixture with the chopped pecans and feta cheese.
Step Two
- In a separate, medium sized bowl, mix together the orange juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey with a whisk until it’s completely combined.
- When you’re ready to serve the salad, pour the dressing into the salad bowl and use tongs or salad serving utensils to toss the salad and dressing together until it’s coated.
