The best recipes are usually the simplest. This simple side salad recipe has a quick homemade dressing and fresh greens, and the unexpected addition of hemp hearts gives texture and hearty nutrition!

Simple side salad on a white bowl with a tan rim with a white background.

I recently mentioned on Instagram that I usually make myself a simple salad to snack on while I prep dinner. Throwing together a quick salad helps me stay focused on the meal I'm preparing, and it's satisfying without ruining my appetite for dinner.

The homemade dressing can be made ahead of time, so it's as simple as tossing everything together in a bowl when I'm getting snacky. I'll prepare extra if I want to serve it as a side dish with dinner, too. This salad is both light and super nutritious!

Side salad topped with hemp seeds in a white bowl with lemon slices and fresh garlic in the background.

Side salad ingredients with a white background.

The Easiest Homemade Salad Dressing

The key to making a simple salad absolutely pop is a homemade dressing! Making your own salad dressing is so, so easy. It's really easy to adjust the flavors exactly the way you like them, and this one is made from simple ingredients you likely already have on hand - just olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic and salt.

Put everything into a small jar, give it a good shake, and keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it!

Overhead shot of a homemade olive oil-based dressing.

A hand shaking a homemade dressing in a mason jar.

A side salad in a white bowl with a tan rim.

Why I Add Hemp Hearts

Shelled hemp seeds, or hemp hearts, are one of my favorite smoothie boosters, but they also add awesome substance to this salad. They add plant-based protein and essential fatty acids to your diet.

Hemp hearts have a nutty flavor that is SO delicious! They make this salad instantly more hearty while boosting the nutrition. Hemp seeds also contain vitamin E, potassium, iron, and calcium. They're even high in dietary fiber, making them good for your digestive health!

A side salad with hemp hearts in a white bowl alongside a homemade dressing and a bowl of hemp hearts with a white background.

The Greens

I always grab a container of spring greens lettuce mix to have in the refrigerator. This is a combination of lettuce, baby spinach, and sometimes romaine or arugula. You can use any of your favorite greens for this salad: baby spinach, kale, arugula... anything in season and leafy green will be delicious with a homemade dressing and a sprinkle of hemp seeds!

A simple side salad in a white bowl with a tan rim with a white background.

Feel Free to Dress It Up!

In addition to being the perfect light salad on its own, it also makes for a good starting point for other salads. I love adding cherry tomatoes, radishes and fresh basil and then combining it with this creamy vegan Italian dressing. I definitely encourage you to try this!

Simple Tossed Green Salad with Hemp Seeds

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Author: Elaine Gordon
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

The best recipes are usually the simplest. This simple side salad recipe has a quick homemade dressing and fresh greens, and the unexpected addition of hemp hearts gives texture and hearty nutrition!

Ingredients

Units Scale

¼ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
fresh lemon juice from one large juicy lemon (~ 3 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 garlic clove, pressed through a garlic press
½ teaspoon fine salt
5 ounces mixed spring greens, chilled
¼ cup shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts)

Instructions

In a mason jar combine the oil, lemon, maple syrup, garlic, and salt. Shake vigorously for ten seconds and set aside.
In a large salad bowl add mixed spring greens and hemp hearts. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the dressing overtop the green and toss well. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
Portion out into 4 bowls and serve immediately.