Zesty Ina Garten’s Green Salad Vinaigrette Recipe for Fresh Dining

Weeknight dinners demand something fresh and vibrant, and this Ina Garten green salad vinaigrette recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

green salads can feel mundane, but her technique changes everything.

The classic French-inspired dressing brings zesty brightness to simple greens.

Each ingredient plays a harmonious role in creating a balanced, lively flavor profile.

She crafts a vinaigrette that’s simultaneously elegant and approachable.

The homemade dressing takes mere minutes to whip together, promising restaurant-quality results.

You’ll want to drizzle this irresistible vinaigrette over everything from crisp lettuce to grilled vegetables.

How to Make Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

Vibrant Green Salad

• Fresh Greens Foundation

Select crisp, colorful salad greens from your local market or garden. Choose a mix of textures like tender butter lettuce, peppery arugula, and crunchy romaine for a dynamic base.

• Zesty Vinaigrette Magic

Combine tangy lemon juice with smooth olive oil in a small container. Sprinkle in a pinch of sea salt and a dash of cracked pepper. Shake vigorously until the mixture transforms into a silky, harmonious blend.

• Elegant Tossing Technique

Gently drizzle the vinaigrette over the greens. Use delicate hand movements to coat each leaf, ensuring a light, even distribution that enhances without overwhelming the natural flavors.

• Delightful Presentation

Transfer the glossy salad to a beautiful serving dish. Serve immediately to capture the peak of freshness and crispness, creating a stunning side that complements any main course.

Tips & Twists for Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

• Experiment with mixed salad greens like arugula, baby spinach, or butter lettuce to add different flavors and textures to your salad.
• Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, or sliced almonds for extra crunch and richness that elevates the simple vinaigrette.
• Chop fresh herbs like basil, chives, or parsley directly into the dressing to create a more complex and vibrant flavor profile.
• Prepare extra vinaigrette and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for future salads.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

• Pair with Protein: Complement this light green salad with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or roasted shrimp for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Add Texture Toppings: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta cheese, or crispy bacon bits to enhance the salad's crunch and flavor profile.
• Create a Meal Prep Option: Pack the dressing separately from the greens to keep the salad crisp and fresh for a delightful lunch or quick work-day meal.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped fresh basil, chives, or parsley to add a burst of brightness and aromatic dimension to the simple vinaigrette.

Storing & Prepping Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

• Store Salad Greens Smartly: Keep unwashed greens in a sealed container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, extending freshness up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Separate Dressing Strategically: Store vinaigrette in an airtight glass jar at room temperature for up to 3 days, shaking well before each use to recombine ingredients.
• Prep Ahead Wisely: Chop greens and mix dressing components separately, combining just before serving to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavor.
• Revive Wilted Greens Quickly: Soak slightly droopy leaves in ice water for 15 minutes to restore crispness before serving, ensuring a delightful salad experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

• Mixed Greens: Crisp foundation that brings vibrant textures and fresh garden flavors to the dish, opt for a blend of tender and crunchy leaves for maximum enjoyment.

• Lemon Juice, Olive Oil: Bright citrus and silky oil create a zesty, smooth dressing that elevates the entire salad with tangy sophistication, choose fresh lemons and high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasoning warriors that transform bland into bold, select freshly ground pepper and coarse kosher salt for maximum flavor punch.

• Extra Olive Oil: Additional drizzling oil to add luxurious sheen and richness, select cold-pressed varieties for deeper taste profile.

Kitchen Gear for Ina Garten Green Salad Vinaigrette

• Large Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and tossing salad greens.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together vinaigrette ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending dressing smoothly and evenly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing lemon if fresh-squeezing juice.
• Knife: For slicing lemon and preparing ingredients.

Elegant Green Salad Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp garden greens come alive with Ina Garten’s green salad vinaigrette, blending fresh herbs and tangy dressing. Simple ingredients create an elegant side perfect for summer gatherings and sophisticated dinner parties.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fl oz) good olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 8 to 10 cups (1.9 to 2.4 liters / 8 to 10 cups) salad greens or mesclun mix
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prep Greens: Meticulously cleanse and pat dry mixed salad greens, eliminating any residual moisture to preserve the vinaigrette’s vibrant character.
2. Craft Vinaigrette: Whisk extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice together, creating a silky emulsion that harmonizes tangy and rich flavors, incorporating kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for balanced seasoning.
3. Dress and Toss: Gently cascade the vinaigrette over the greens in a spacious serving bowl, using a delicate folding technique to ensure each leaf is elegantly coated without compromising the greens’ delicate structure.
4. Serve Immediately: Allow a brief 2-3 minute resting period for flavors to integrate, then present the salad as a crisp, zesty accompaniment that elevates the overall dining experience.

Notes

• Perfect Greens Prep: Wash and thoroughly dry salad greens to prevent watery dressing and ensure crisp texture.
• Emulsify with Precision: Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together until smooth, creating a harmonious vinaigrette base that clings beautifully to leaves.
• Season Strategically: Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper evenly, tasting and adjusting for balanced flavor profile.
• Dress with Delicacy: Gently fold vinaigrette into greens, allowing 2-3 minutes of resting time to enhance flavor absorption without wilting delicate leaves.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg