Simple Green Salad
Apr 16, 2025
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Sometimes, the best recipes are the simplest – and this Simple Green Salad with homemade vinaigrette is one to keep in your back pocket. It’s crisp, fresh and endlessly adaptable.
This is a great starter salad, and it brings freshness to any meal. Serve it alongside pasta or your favorite grilled fish, or serve it solo as a light lunch. Want to keep it vegetarian but add something special? Top it with a sprinkle of feta cheese.
Use Soft Herbs for Flavor
The handful of fresh herbs in this basic salad add an elevated layer that brings a restaurant-quality result to the table. These delicate, leafy herbs add brightness and complexity. Here are some of my favorites:
- Fresh Dill: A little bit of this delicate herb goes so well with the lemony vinaigrette.
- Italian Parsley: It’s clean and crisp, and the flat-leaf variety is something you might already have on hand.
- Mint Leaves: Add a burst of cool, sweet freshness with a few mint leaves. Chop them up or sprinkle them in whole.
- Tarragon: If you want to add a subtle anise flavor, tarragon is a standout. It’s sophisticated and also pairs well with the Dijon mustard in the dressing.
More Toppings & Variations
- Dress It Up: My go-to dressing for this salad is a Mustard Shallot Vinaigrette, though you can use a creamier ranch dressing or any store-bought favorite.
- Add Some Crunch: Toasted nuts or seeds – slivered almonds or sunflower seeds – make a great addition.
- Give it a Protein Boost: Toss in rinsed and drained chickpeas, sliced hard-boiled eggs or a filet of perfectly grilled salmon to make it a meal.
- Substitute the Lettuce: Instead of standard green leaf lettuce, use romaine or even chopped spinach. The more variety, the better.
- Create Veggie Variety: While I like to keep things simple, you could add sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots or radishes to add heft and variety to the salad.
Simple Green Salad
This Simple Green Salad is a fresh, crisp and versatile side dish that comes together in minutes. It's made with tender leafy greens, tomato, cucumber, onion and finished with a light vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 1 head green leaf lettuce, chopped
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups Persian cucumbers, sliced
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup Mustard Shallot Vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion.
- Add the fresh dill and parsley, tossing gently to distribute the herbs evenly.
- Season with sea salt and toss again to combine.
- Drizzle on Mustard Shallot Vinaigrette and toss lightly to coat.
- Transfer to serving bowls and enjoy!
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