Easy Green Salad
Easy Green Salad is one of the best side dishes to add to just about every meal. Delicious fresh vegetables topped with your favorite dressing. A feel good recipe for any night of the week.
During the summer months I could seriously live on salads, especially when our garden produce is plentiful. Give me a plate of fresh veggies, ranch dressing and some garlic bread and I’m a happy camper.
I also love serving a fresh green salad with Beef Rigatoni, Grilled Steaks or Fried Chicken Strips. It just goes with everything.
Sometimes we do a tossed salad and sometimes it’s a build your own salad where everyone can add their favorite toppings. This Green Salad has all of my favorites and was inspired by the salads served at Old Chicago Pizza.
Making Green Salad:
- Tear leaf lettuce into bite sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
- Top with thin sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, thin sliced red onions, Parmesan cheese, toasted almonds and croutons.
- If you are making ahead, skip adding the croutons until serving. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to making a fresh salad. Add in your favorites and skip the veggies you are not fond of.
Tip for Toasting Nuts:
I love adding toasted nuts to salads. My parents actually gave me this tip and I use it all the time. Place nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 375°. Turn the oven off and place the baking sheet in the oven. Nuts will be toasted in about 10 minutes and will not burn.
Other Vegetables to Add to a Green Salad:
- Green onions
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Carrots
- Broccoli Floretes
- Cauliflower
More Salad Toppings:
- Pecans, walnuts or pistachios
- Sunflower seeds
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon crumbles
- Dried cranberries or raisins
- Hard boiled eggs
Best Homemade Salad Dressings:
- Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch
- Creamy Italian Dressing
- Roasted Garlic Salad Dressing (Delicious even if you skip roasting the garlic!)
- Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing ~ She Wears Many Hats
- Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing ~ My Baking Addiction
We’ve been enjoying this Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad for a quick lunch using leftover grilled chicken and it’s just as delicious as the restaurant version.
Easy Salad Recipes that are perfect for any night of the week. A great main dish salad with grilled chicken, fresh veggies and a homemade citrus dressing. The whole family will love this easy dinner. Mix up taco Tuesday with this super easy taco salad! Complete with a deep fried taco bowl and a quick salsa ranch dressing. Add your favorite taco toppings for a dinner the whole family can agree on. One of my most requested side dishes. I serve this simple salad up for almost every family get together and it's delicious enough for holiday dinners too. The homemade dressing is not to be missed! A picnic and cookout favorite. Serve up your favorite veggies on skewers for an easy to grab and eat side. A great appetizer or side dish for any meal. Food is always more fun on a stick and salad is no exception! Great Greek flavors that everyone is sure to love. Another summertime favorite. Easy to make ahead for cookouts and barbecues. Fresh veggies mixed into Mason jars and topped with crispy cheese crisps. My family seriously can not get enough of this simple make ahead salad. The flavors are an amazing combination. You will be making this one all year long. The traditional summer side for every meal. A creamy dill dressing mixed with crisp cucumbers and red onions. Goes so well with grilled burgers, chicken or fried fish.Easy Salad Recipes
Simple Grilled Chicken Salad
Taco Salad with Salsa-Ranch Dressing
Greek Salad with Roasted Garlic Salad Dressing
Salad Kebabs
Greek Salad Skewers
Summer Salads in Jars with Dubliner Cheese Crisps & Avocado Dressing
Thai Cucumber Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
If you love this Recipe as much as I do, please leave a comment and a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Pinterest!
Easy Green Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups leaf lettuce torn into bite size pieces
- 1 cucumber thin sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion sliced thin
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated or sliced thin
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
- 1/2 cup croutons
- Salad dressing for serving
Instructions
- Layer lettuce in a large salad bowl and top with cucumber slices, tomatoes, red onion, Parmesan and toasted onions.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with salad dressing and croutons.
This easy green salad looks like the perfect go-to recipe for a quick and healthy meal, I love how simple the ingredients are, yet it’s packed with freshness and flavor. The use of crunchy greens and the light dressing makes it a great side dish for any meal or even a light lunch on its own. I can imagine adding some roasted nuts or seeds for a bit of extra crunch, or perhaps some grilled chicken to make it more filling. This is definitely a salad I’ll be making often! Thanks for sharing such a simple and delicious recipe.