Everyone has a simple salad that they make all the time, and here’s MY tossed green salad recipe that I LOVE and serve with most of my meals! It’s so simple, light, fresh, and requires just a few ingredients to make. It’s also a great way to eat my greens every day, it’s very versatile and I make it based on what ingredients I have available. But I usually dress it with fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinaigrette that I whip up in just a minute, or this vibrant raspberry vinaigrette. If you like easy salads, you should try my Wedge Salad, Italian Panzanella Salad or Shrimp Cobb Salad next!
Simple Side Salad Ingredients
This is a very versatile recipe and can be made depending on what ingredients you have available. So I will provide you with my basic recipe, and give you more ideas on what else can you add to it.
Fresh greens: I usually buy bags of pre-washed fresh greens such as arugula, different types of lettuce, spinach, watercress, etc.Red onions: I love adding crunchy red onions to my salad for a great flavor and texture. Feel free to leave them out if you don’t love red onions, and if you don’t have any, substitute with sliced shallots or sliced yellow onions.Dressing: You can do with a simple dressing of just extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. But I like more flavor and usually make this apple cider vinaigrette.Optional: Add your favorite toppings! Tossed nuts, seeds, or shaved parmesan. You can also add your favorite sliced or shredded vegetables such cucumber, carrot, or bell peppers.
Simple Salad Dressing Ingredients
Olive oil – I like to use high-quality Italian extra virgin olive oil.Acid – Use any acid that you like, I usually go for fresh lemon or orange juice or apple cider vinegar.Dijon mustard – Adds a lovely flavor to the dressing, but it doesn’t overpower the salad.Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves to complement the leafy greens! Mince, crush, or grate the garlic cloves.Honey or maple syrup – To balance the flavors of the dressing. Go for honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.Salt & pepper – to taste.
Optional Salad Add-ons
Add your favorite cheese – I often toss my salad with shaved parmesan, but other cheeses like feta are also great! My favorite salads with feta are this refreshing watermelon salad, and this Mediterranean chickpea salad.Extra vegetables – Extra veg is always a great idea! Add fresh sliced or diced vegetables, or grilled vegetables to this salad.Your favorite protein – Add your protein of choice, go for shredded chicken, pan fried salmon, poached shrimp, or beans. Or give this salad a Mediterranean twist, and add cooked garbanzo beans.Love olives? – Olives add a great salty flavor and texture to the salt.Dried fruit – Cranberries are popular in salads. I always add them to this kale salad as they add texture, sweetness and flavor.Seeds and nuts – My favorites are pepitas, sunflower seeds, pecans, walnuts, and almonds.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
