This simple side salad is loaded with fresh veggies, crunchy toppings, and a tangy vinaigrette. So good that you'll want to make it the main dish.
Simple Side Salad Recipe
Simple doesn't have to mean boring. Quite the opposite! This simple side salad is packed with fresh and juicy veggies, cheese, crunchiness, and a delicious balsamic dressing that will rock your taste buds!
This is the kind of easy salad that I can always assemble with whatever I have around to serve with baked chicken pieces, jambalaya, pasta, or any other meal that asks for something fresh and tasty on the side.
Ingredients
The crisp texture of green lettuce makes it great for this salad. You could also use Romaine or mixed salad greens. The other tasty veggies are bell pepper, regular or English cucumber, and tomatoes. Olives and red onion are another great addition. Finally, my favorite add-ins are Parmesan cheese, croutons, roasted sunflower seeds, and balsamic vinaigrette.
How to Make Side Salad Recipe
As I’ll show you in the video below, to make this simple side salad you just have to wash and chop the lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onion. Layer the ingredients into a large serving bowl, add the toppings, and drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad.
To prep this recipe ahead, assemble the lettuce and toppings, but leave out the croutons and dressing. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you're ready to eat, add the croutons and dressing, and toss to combine.
Laura’s Favorite Customization Ideas for Side Salads
- Italian: grape tomatoes, black olives, shaved Parmesan cheese, and Italian vinaigrette.
- Asian: steamed edamame pods, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, mandarin oranges (rinsed and drained), Asian vinaigrette.
- Mediterranean: Kalamata olives, sliced cucumber, green bell pepper, feta cheese, and Greek vinaigrette.
- Farmer’s Market Salad: diced tomatoes, homemade bacon bits, steamed corn, cucumber, shredded cheddar cheese, and Ranch dressing.
Best Homemade Dressings
I’ve got more delicious recipes that are easy to whip up and beat the bottled version any day: avocado lime Ranch dressing, citrus vinaigrette, maple Dijon vinaigrette, and Thai peanut dressing.
Easy Side Salad
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- ½ head green lettuce, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- ½ English cucumber, sliced and halved
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup olives
- ¼ red onion, sliced
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup croutons
- 2 tablespoons dry-roasted sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup Balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a large bowl, layer the salad ingredients.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
The recommendations below may include affiliate links.
Gianne says
It’s so simple to make and the flavors are fresh and delicious. It’s the perfect addition to any meal and I find myself making it all the time!
Angela says
This is the perfect salad for lunch – I paired some grilled chicken with it and everything tasted so good together. Love your topping suggestions as well. Thanks for sharing!
Kim says
Perfect side salad, and makes a lovely lunch, too!
Chenee says
That salad looks absolutely phenomenal the way it is, but I love all the customization options.
Charah says
Great recipe, it was delicious. Thanks for sharing