The power comes from the good energy-giving greens in the salad dotted with lean meat for added protein. A green mix packed with simple goodness from spinach, baby kale, or baby chard leaves works perfect here. The kick comes from a little spicy giardinaire. It’s a little spicy, smoky, salty, sweet, and delicious. Whip up this quick power kick spicy green salad recipe when you need a hit of energy and flavor to boost your healthy eating routine.
This easy green salad recipe is just the recipe you need when you crave something healthy but flavorful and satisfying.
A Zippy and Spicy Green Salad Recipe You Can Enjoy For Lunch or Dinner
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I really enjoy this salad because it’s still a healthy way of satisfying my hunger while enjoying a few tasty things that give this good green salad some zippy flavor, character, and heartiness.
The first thing to do is amp up your salad mix a bit. I like to get the most out of it, so I like to use a mix of vibrant, fresh green leaves loaded with nutrients. At the top of my list is usually kale and spinach. I like to make it easy on myself by just buying a super greens or power greens salad mix in the container.
Organic Girl is a favorite and I usually just either grab their super greens mix or their baby spinach. Either one works perfectly for dressing up in a simple and healthy green salad recipe just like this one. You can also put together your own salad mix by tossing together nutritious greens of your choice.
Related: The Best Peachy Kale Smoothie
Easy Honey Balsamic Dressing Salad Dressing Recipe
The first thing we’ll do is whip up a quick dressing that’s simple, delicious, and full of flavor to drizzle on and wake up your whole salad.
For this dressing, I used an easy mix of balsamic vinegar and rich fruity olive oil dotted with generous herby pinches of dried oregano. It’s seasoned with salt, pepper, and a dash of honey for rounding things out. The rest comes together super easy!
assemble your Spicy Green Power Kick Salad
For extra hearty and protein-packing power I tossed in sliced Canadian bacon which adds really tasty hints of smoky and salty flavor. I used Jones Dairy Farm hickory smoked Canadian bacon which is perfect for this power kick salad. It will add a generous amount of protein while staying on the lean side. It’s much leaner than bacon and easier since we don’t have to crisp or brown it. It comes fully cooked and cured.
add canadian Bacon for lean protein Plus Some cheese
I’ll take one or two round slices, stack and cut them into small squares and sprinkle right over the greens.
I used cubed provolone cheese because it’s mild and blends in well with the other ingredients, but use your favorite cubed cheese! Cubed cheddar or even cubed colby jack would work just find too.
Finish off this tasty combination with our spicy favorite: giardiniera! It goes sooo well with the dressing, the cheese, the pinches of dried and fresh oregano. I always use Marconi Chicago-Style giardineira because it comes loaded with big chunks of juicy jalapeno and pickled carrot.
Make Your Green Salad Spicy with giardiniera
Everything in the salad speaks back to the spicy crunchy veggies in the giardiniera. I like to drain the giardiniera veggies really quick and then dot the salad all around the top. Then I’ll hit everything up with that easy honey balsamic dressing. Use hot or mild giardiniera. Whichever is your favorite!
It comes together lightning fast and with the simplest ingredients… We got everything covered in this spicy energizing green power kick salad.
We have some lean meat for protein and a pop of briny salty flavor plus nutrients and vitamins from our vibrant power mix greens. We’ve got freshness from some herbs and sweet zingy flavor from our balsamic oregano dressing. The best part is a mouthwatering hit of crunchy spice from the giardiniera. I’d say we hit the spot with the perfect, satisfying mix of healthy, green eats. Here’s to digging in!
Stay lean and green with this super easy strawberry spinach salad!
Quick Power Kick Spicy Green Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- For Salad Dressing:
- 1/3 cup Good Quality Fruity Olive Oil - I used a rich fruity Greek style olive oil
- 1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/4 tsp Coarse Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tbsp Honey
- For the Salad:
- 3 cups Your Favorite Power Green Salad Mix Loosely packed – I used Organic Girl Super Greens - or a mix of Fresh Spinach/Baby Kale/Baby Chard
- 1/3 cup Provolone Cheese – Small Cubed - small dice pieces
- 1/8 cup Drained Hot Giardiniera
- 2 small slices Smoky Canadian Bacon - small rounded slices/lean – Used Jones Dairy Farm Canadian Bacon
- 1 to 2 stems Fresh Basil - optional
- 1 to 2 sprigs Fresh Oregano - optional
Instructions
- In a jar with a lid or small bottle with a cap, drizzle in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Add in the honey and put the cap or lid back on. Shake really well until all ingredients are combined. Taste and adjust for salt/seasoning, if desired. (Makes enough dressing for a serving.)
- Assemble the salad by grabbing a wide serving plate and arranging the leaves from your favorite power mix or green salad mix onto the plate. Alternatively, you can create a power salad mix by combining fresh spinach, fresh baby kale, and fresh baby chard.
- Top off the leaves with diced rounded slices of smoky lean Canadian bacon and cubed provolone cheese. Sprinkle on the drained hot giardiniera.
- Drizzle the salad with the homemade oregano honey balsamic dressing and finish off by garnishing with one more sprinkle of dried oregano over the top if desired. If available, mince some of the fresh basil and oregano leaves and sprinkle over the top or toss into the salad after dressing. Garnish with fresh oregano or basil if desired. Serve immediately.
