Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe

Imagine an afternoon escape to the Mediterranean—in the comfort of your own kitchen—when you craft this lively and stunning salad that celebrates vibrant veggies, hearty tuna, and a touch of indulgent asparagus. Let’s dive into this fresh and colorful feast!

I adore making dishes that really capture Mediterranean cooking, and Ensalada Mixta is a classic Spanish salad that I truly enjoy. You have to taste it to appreciate the combination of flavors and textures.

Here, the basic structure of the salad has a vibrant, super-nutritious combination of good-for-you greens, including crisp lettuce (or frisée), juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers. And then you have tuna—packed in olive oil—as the main source of protein.

Oh, and don’t forget the protein-rich hard-boiled eggs.

Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Lettuce: Low in calories, provides fiber, hydrates the body.
• Tomatoes: Rich in vitamins A and C, adds juiciness and subtle sweetness.
• Cucumber: Refreshing, hydrating, and low in calories, adds crunch.
• Red Onion: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor with antioxidant benefits.
• Tuna: High in protein, provides healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
• Olives: Source of healthy fats, adds briny richness to the salad.
• White Asparagus: Delicate taste, low in calories, provides folate.

Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 head of lettuce, washed and torn into pieces
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 can (200g) of tuna packed in olive oil, drained
• 10-12 black or green olives
• 1 jar (120g) of white asparagus spears
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling
• Red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar for drizzling

How to Make this Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe

1. Begin with the vegetable preparations. The now-clean lettuce should be pulled into pieces no larger than a few inches. The bowl that the salad will be served in should be large enough to hold all the ingredients with some space left over. (I prefer to serve this salad in a bowl almost the size of a mixing bowl; it’s the kind of salad that can be shared and is meant to take up some space.) The following ingredients in amounts listed will be enough for a salad that will serve at least four as a side salad; it could serve two as an almost-main-dish salad. Use 8 ounces of washed and dried lettuce.

2. Place the lettuce in a bowl, then add sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and green bell pepper.

3. Slice very thinly the red onion and scatter it over the salad.

4. Slice the hard-boiled eggs and lay the slices over the vegetables.

5. Remove the olive oil and break the tuna into small parts over the salad.

6. Evenly distribute the olives over the salad.

7. Place the white asparagus spears delicately on top of the other salad ingredients.

8. Add salt and black pepper to taste for seasoning the salad.

9. Scatter the salad with an ample allowance of olive oil.

10. Complete the preparation with a drizzle of red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar. Then, before serving, give the salad a gentle toss.

Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large salad bowl
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Paring knife (optional, for peeling cucumber)
5. Salad spinner (optional, for drying lettuce)
6. Mixing spoon or salad tongs
7. Measuring spoons (for olive oil and vinegar)
8. Can opener (if the tuna or asparagus jars require it)
9. Serving plate or additional bowl for hard-boiled eggs (optional)

FAQ

• What is the best type of lettuce to use for Ensalada Mixta?Any crisp lettuce, such as romaine or iceberg, works well, but feel free to use your favorite.
• Can I substitute the tuna with a vegetarian option?Indeed, you can use chickpeas or white beans as a vegetarian substitute for tuna.
• What can I use if I don’t have white asparagus?In the absence of white asparagus, you can use artichoke hearts or regular green asparagus instead.
• How can I make this salad ahead of time?Have all components ready, and keep them separately chilled in the refrigerator. Just before serving, combine the ingredients and top them with the dressing.
• Can I add other vegetables to the salad?Certainly! You can also toss in ingredients such as radishes, carrots, or avocado to amp up the flavor and add some satisfying texture.
• Is there a specific type of olive that works best?Spanish green olives are the traditional choice for this recipe, but black olives are equally delicious. Select the variety that you prefer.

Ensalada Mixta Typical Spanish Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For lettuce: Use mixed greens or baby spinach.
For sweeter tasting tomatoes, use either cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes.
For cucumber: Replace with zucchini slices for a different texture.
For tuna: Use shredded cooked chicken or chickpeas if you want a meat-free option.
For red onion: Use shallots or green onions for a mellower flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Balance the Flavors: Consider adding a small amount of mustard or a pinch of sugar to the olive oil and vinegar dressing. This can help balance the acidity of the vinegar and complement the other ingredients.