Classic Garden Salad

A fresh, crisp salad that’s easy to customize and pairs well with almost any meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup croutons (optional)

Simple Homemade Dressing

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and carrot.
2. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
4. Top with cheese and croutons, if desired.

Delicious Variations

• Greek Salad: Add feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and oregano.
• Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.
• Chef Salad: Add sliced turkey, ham, hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese, and cucumber.
• Strawberry Spinach Salad: Baby spinach, sliced strawberries, pecans, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
• Southwest Salad: Black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and a cilantro-lime dressing.

Tips

• Dry your lettuce well after washing so the dressing sticks better.
• Add delicate ingredients like avocado or croutons just before serving.
• Chill the salad bowl for 10–15 minutes before assembling to keep the salad extra crisp.