Best Simple Tossed Green Salad

Best Simple Tossed Green Salad is the easiest side dish and goes perfectly with just about anything! Totally customizable and tossed in the tastiest 6-ingredient homemade dressing!
WHAT ARE THE HEALTHIEST INGREDIENTS FOR A SALAD?
The following ingredients are some of the healthiest ones you can include in a salad. I’m all for moderation though, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you want to add in some cheese or croutons — I won’t tell!

Red or green leaf lettuce
Carrots
Yellow peppers
Spinach
Broccoli
Beans and legumes
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Sunflower seeds
Flax seeds
Tomatoes
Almonds
Cauliflower
Garlic
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Green peas
Swiss chard
Avocado oil
Walnut oil
Collard greens

HOW CAN I CUSTOMIZE THIS SIMPLE TOSSED GREEN SALAD?
This is the best part of this salad, I think. However, I do try to keep it simple. So to that end, here are the ways in which I’ve changed this salad around while not making it overly complicated.

Make it Mexican: Swap pepitas for sunflower seeds and add chopped tomatoes, black olives, finely diced jalapenos, and a sprinkling of queso fresco. For the dressing, use mayo, cayenne pepper, garlic and lime juice like I did in this Mexican Street Corn Salad.
Make it taste like the Mediterranean: This one is another favorite. Skip the sunflower seeds and instead add garbanzo beans. Add in sliced kalamata olives, halved cherry tomatoes, and a dash of each thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper before tossing the salad. Serve with a simple dressing of olive oil and reduced balsamic.
Have it Hawaiian: This is a little different but hang with me. Add a can each of drained, diced pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges, ham instead of (or in addition to) the bacon, and slivered almonds instead of sunflower seeds. I also like to add blue cheese to this kind of salad, something about the tanginess of the cheese with the sweetness of the fruit that just blend so well together.
For dressing, think simply. You already will have a sweet flavor from the fruit juices. Consider sprinkling some red wine or balsamic vinegar along with some oregano, salt, and pepper. Or add a store-bought strawberry vinaigrette.

Make it extra crunchy: Okay, while this isn’t a “theme” I still love, love, love an extra crunch to my salads. To this end, I like to add a bag of sliced Brussels sprouts and cabbage to the greens for starters. Keep the sunflower seeds, and add to this thinly sliced apples or pears. A little gorgonzola or goat cheese and some dried cranberries will also make this salad sing. The dressing can remain the same.

Best Simple Tossed Green Salad
Best Simple Tossed Green Salad is the easiest side dish and goes perfectly with just about anything! Totally customizable and tossed in the tastiest 6-ingredient homemade dressing!

Ingredients
▢5 cups loosely packed mixed greens – or any favorite lettuce
▢2 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds
▢¼ cup crumbled bacon – or bacon bits
▢¼ red onion – thinly sliced
▢1 cucumber – peeled and thinly sliced
Dressing
▢1/3 cup dijon mustard
▢¼ cup honey
▢¼ cup apple cider vinegar
▢1 teaspoon salt
▢¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢¼ cup oil – I use extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Combine dressing ingredients in a jar, cover and shake vigorously to combine.
In a large bowl combine mixed greens, sunflower seeds, bacon, red onions, cucumbers. Just before serving add dressing to taste and toss to combine. Serve immediately after tossing with dressing.
Notes
Tip: Feel free to add your favorite veggies like tomatoes, corn, or broccoli.
Tip: Turn this into a hearty main dish by adding your favorite protein like grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp.
Nutrition
Calories: 179 kcal, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 13 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 7 mg, Sodium: 661 mg, Potassium: 135 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 13 g, Vitamin A: 54 IU, Vitamin C: 2 mg, Calcium: 19 mg, Iron: 1 mg