Quick Balsamic Vinegar Salad (Printable)

Crisp greens tossed in a tangy balsamic reduction with olive oil and fresh vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine, radicchio)
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
05 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer the balsamic vinegar for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and walnuts if using.
03 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard if using, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the balsamic reduction until smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra cracked black pepper if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes flat, and most of that time is just watching vinegar do its thing on the stove.
  • The balsamic reduction is almost dangerously good—you'll want to make extra and drizzle it on everything.
  • It's the kind of salad that feels light but actually fills you up, especially with those toasted walnuts.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after reducing the balsamic—poured hot over delicate greens, it'll start cooking them and they'll lose their crispness.
  • The salad tastes best within a few minutes of dressing it; the greens will start to soften if it sits too long.
03 -
  • A pinch of sugar added to the vinegar as it reduces helps balance the acidity and speeds up the thickening process.
  • Toss your greens with just a tiny bit of the oil before adding the full dressing—it helps them catch it more evenly.
Go Back