Simply Classic House Salad

Fresh, crisp lettuce and a variety of vegetables are combined to create a simply classic house salad that is far from basic. You will love how easy, simple ingredients and a tangy homemade dressing create this delicious salad.

Why this recipe is just so good.....

• This salad is so easy to customize to your preferences. A simple house salad is also known as a lettuce tomato and cucumber salad or garden salad. It also usually has cheese, onion and croutons. But you can add all your favorite vegetables or leafy greens.
• Low calorie and full of vitamins and fiber, it is healthy, crunchy and full of different textures in the salad. Since it's so quick and easy to make, it could easily be a your favorite daily salad.
• The lemon vinaigrette is tangy and delicious and goes perfectly with this salad. But choose your favorite dressing - ranch, Caesar, Thousand Island. And my creamy balsamic vinaigrette or garlic dressing are fantastic choices for this house salad as well.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make an easy house salad:

• Romaine lettuce
• cherry or grape tomatoes
• cucumbers
• red onion
• grated carrot (optional)
• grated cheddar cheese
• garlic croutons or parmesan crisps

Ingredients for Lemon Vinaigrette:

•  fresh lemon juice
•  sugar or sugar substitute
• Dijon mustard
• extra-virgin olive oil
•  garlic paste or minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Notes

I have had house salads that only used Iceberg lettuce. It is a crispy, light tasting lettuce. It is also not very expensive. We used Romaine lettuce to increase the vitamins and fiber in the salad. My Butter Lettuce Salad uses a very soft butter lettuce is also another delicious salad to try.

Many restaurants use standard cucumbers, but this salad has English cucumbers. They have smaller seeds and crisper flesh. But they are more expensive so choose what you prefer. They are both healthy and delicious.

Instead of shredded cheddar, you can choose your favorites. Parmesan, mozzarella, mild white cheddar or even feta would be great in this salad as well. You can also add some bacon bit to the salad

Make it Low Carb

I do love crunchy croutons!! They add flavor and texture to the salad. But I always look for ways to lower the carbs/calories. So I suggest parmesan crisps instead. They are really tasty and crunchy and a perfect substitute!

How to make a Classic House Salad

1. Place the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and onions in a large strainer or colander.
2. Rinse well under running water, gently tossing salad in the strainer.
3. Drain salad well and gently pat dry with paper towel.  Transfer salad to a large bowl or platter.

1. Make dressing:  combine the lemon juice, sugar, mustard and garlic in a measuring cup, stir well.
2. Slowly pour the olive oil into the cup and quickly whisk in.  Add salt and pepper. 

1. Taste the dressing and add more lemon, sugar, garlic or salt and pepper as you prefer.  Only add a little bit more at a time, if needed.  Sprinkle cheese over salad
2. Serve salad with optional croutons or crisps.  Whisk the dressing again before serving.

Recipe Tips

• If you want to boost the flavor, variety and health benefits, you can add some other fresh vegetables such as chopped bell pepper, avocado, olives or jalapeños.
• I prefer to serve the dressing alongside the salad to avoid it getting soggy.
• You can make a main dish from this house salad by adding some protein such as chicken or seafood. Try my Julianne salad which includes some sliced meats and cheeses. It is a perfect summertime lunch or light supper.

Storage and Serving

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When I make a salad for meal prep, I usually place a paper towel on the bottom and top of the salad to absorb extra moisture. It will remain fresh for about 3-4 days.

If you know you will have leftovers, there is the option of storing the chopped tomatoes and cucumbers separating since they hold a lot of water.

FAQ

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Here are MORE delicious salads to try!