This mixed greens salad with fruit, goat cheese and nuts is perfect for a beautiful side dish or brunch spread! It comes together quickly and is finished with a super easy honey-lime vinaigrette.
I have partnered with La Terra Fina on this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Are you feeling merry and festive and joyous and bright?
Or are you frantically running around trying to do all the holiday shopping and events and parties and checklists?
I'm somewhere in between myself
We had family in last weekend and my in-laws come today for a long weekend and that just fills my heart up. And the kiddos have had some fun holiday-themed events and parties.
And we've got plenty more to come, including J's preschool Christmas performance tomorrow morning, which is definitely a highlight of the season!
I'm also REALLY looking forward to time off next week, to having the kids home all day, to slowing down and savoring each moment.
Sigh... 'tis a wonderful time of year indeed! ❤️
But for today, I’m excited to bring you my favorite brunch salad!
It’s easy — takes just 10 minutes to put together — plus it’s gorgeous on a table and it’s always a hit!
This mixed greens salad with fruit and goat cheese and nuts and a super simple honey-lime vinaigrette is just what your brunch needs to take it over the top!
(And maybe some champagne brunch punch or a poinsettia cocktail. Because bubbles. )
The sheer simplicity and yet amazing flavor of this mixed greens and fruit salad also makes it a favorite. Because no one wants to get up at the crack of dawn before a brunch party to slave away in the kitchen, right?
Yup, me neither.
So I grab a few ingredients from the store, dump them in a bowl strategically arrange them in a pretty and intentional way and shake up a simple homemade dressing in a jar.
Done and done! Crack that champagne!
But wait… you can’t just serve salad.
So one of my other favorite tricks is to pull out one of these gorgeous and delicious La Terra Fina quiches.
Yup, your favorite dip maker also has quiches available in a ton of great flavors! And they are all chef-inspired with high-quality ingredients and all using egg whites. ❤️
And trust me, they are SO good! I picked the Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche for this pairing today but any of their amazing flavors would work.
Classic Quiche Lorraine, Spinach and Artichoke Florentine, Fire Roasted Veggie Medley… take your pick.
Or get a couple, especially for a larger crowd! (Psst, they sell variety 2-packs )
Quiche and this salad (and bubbles) and brunch is served!
If you want to go homemade all the way, check out this classic sausage and egg casserole that's perfect for brunch. It's a make-ahead, overnight casserole too, so nothing to do in the morning but bake it off.
Or if you're looking for a salad for your holiday dinner, this beautiful Christmas salad in a wreath is just the thing.
Notes on mixed greens salad with fruit:
- The recipe below is a mere starting point. Feel free to substitute baby spinach or baby kale for the mixed greens.
- You can also change out the berries and fruits to use your favorites or what’s in season.
- I love the creamy goat cheese with this, but you could use feta or your favorite cheese.
- I tend to have pecans and walnuts on hand and have used both in this salad, but you could use almonds, cashews, pine nuts - any of your favorites!
- To really bring out the nuttiness of your nut of choice, lightly toast it in the oven or in a pan for a few minutes. (Just be sure to watch it closely so the nuts don’t burn!)
- This homemade honey-lime vinaigrette really ties everything together and it’s as simple as adding your ingredients to a jar and shaking it up. However, you could substitute a good store-bough citrus vinaigrette if you prefer.
Also, just to note: this makes a large salad for a bigger crowd.
If you want to serve this for a smaller group - or just as a side salad for a family dinner - you can easily halve the recipe.
I hope you give this fun mixed greens and fruit salad a try, whether for brunch, your holiday table or just as a side salad!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. If you love breakfast and brunch recipes like I do, and want to add to your table, check out my healthy sausage balls, whole wheat cinnamon sugar baked donuts, homemade veggie cream cheese to pair with some bagels and any of my healthy muffin recipes.
You'll have quite the spread!
Mixed greens salad with fruit
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 6-8 oz. bags mixed greens
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
- 1 cup mandarin orange slices, from about 2-3 mandarin oranges
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ½ cup chopped pecans, or substitute your favorite nut
For the honey-lime vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- To make the salad, place the lettuce in a large serving bowl. Top with fruit, cheese and nuts.
- To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a mason jar or container with a tight fitting lid. Shake to combine until the honey is dissolved and the dressing is well mixed.
- Pour the dressing over the salad, starting with about ⅔s and adding to suit your tastes. Toss to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Kelly Jones
What a delicious way to brighten up the freezing weather we have here in Philly now!
Kathryn
Fresh fruits and veggies always brighten up the day!