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    Home » Meal » Salad

    Published: Jan 19, 2023 · Modified: May 1, 2025 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Side Salad

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    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL two cloves kitchen dot com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    This pinterest pin shows two dishes of salad and with the words Side Salad and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.

    Here I'll teach you not only how to make the simple and delicious side salad pictured below, but also how to build your own side salad with the ingredients you already have on hand!

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    Two dishes of side salad are shown on a white marble counter with a small pitcher of lemon herb dressing and a green linen.

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    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Dish
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Build a Salad
    • How to Store
    • FAQ
    • Expert Tips
    • How to Serve
    • Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Dish

    Side salads are versatile. Serve them with just about anything for a complete dinner.

    It's super easy and quick! Select a few ingredients from the store or from what you already have in your fridge and pantry to make an adaptable side dish. If you're super low on time, you can even use your favorite bottled dressing.

    This is a healthy option. Packed with vegetables, healthy fats, and nutrients, this side salad is always a good choice.

    The labeled ingredients for a side salad are shown on a white marble counter.

    What You'll Need

    Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

    Greens

    Mixed lettuces are shown in a wood planter on a white background.

    Choose your favorite greens or lettuce, or whatever you have on hand. This could be:

    • Butter lettuce
    • Spinach
    • Arugula
    • Spring Mix
    • Kale
    • Little Gem
    • Escarole
    • Frisée
    • Mâche
    • Green or Red Leaf Lettuce
    • Mesclun
    • Romaine
    • Iceberg
    • Radicchio

    Vegetables or Fruits

    A colorful mixture of different fruits and vegetables are shown.

    I like to have something crunchy that adds flavor and texture contrast to the salad. Here are some veggie options to try:

    • Carrots
    • Radishes
    • Cucumber
    • Sprouts
    • Artichoke Hearts
    • Peppers
    • Mushrooms
    • Tomatoes
    • Celery
    • Onion (I personally love these spicy pickled onions)
    • Broccoli
    • Cauliflower

    Or you could try these fruits instead:

    • Apple
    • Pear
    • Grapes
    • Berries
    • Avocado
    • Orange
    • Peach
    • Plum
    • Melon

    Dressing

    Try this adaptable lemon herb vinaigrette, spicy harissa vinaigrette, or this honey jalapeño lime vinaigrette or choose your favorite bottled or homemade salad dressing, like:

    • Simple Vinaigrette: 3 parts oil to 1 part acid like vinegar or citrus juice with salt & pepper, mixed well (or 2 parts oil to 1 part acid for a zippier dressing)
    • Caesar
    • Italian
    • Ranch
    • Chipotle Southwest dressing

    Nuts and Seeds

    • Pumpkins Seeds
    • Walnuts (these spiced walnuts are wonderful!)
    • Almonds
    • Pecans (these spiced pecans are also a favorite)
    • Pine nuts
    • Peanuts
    • Pistachios
    • Sunflower seeds
    • Chia seeds

    Cheeses

    • Feta
    • Goat cheese
    • Cheddar
    • Gouda
    • Manchego
    • Bleu cheese
    • Parmesan or Pecorino

    Fresh Herbs

    Mixed herbs are shown an on isolated white background.
    • Dill
    • Cilantro
    • Parsley
    • Basil
    • Mint
    • Chives

    I would reserve hard herbs like rosemary only for dressings. They have a very concentrated flavor and would likely overtake the other flavors of the salad.

    Other Toppings to Try

    • Croutons (Try cutting up this Air Fryer Crostini)
    • Grains: quinoa, couscous, farro, or rice
    • Eggs: hard-boiled or soft-boiled are my favorite
    • Meats: chicken, steak, healthy tuna salad, or shrimp
    • Beans: black beans, edamame, white beans, kidney beans, chickpeas
    • Tofu
    • Olives
    • Capers
    • Pickled vegetables
    • Water Chestnuts

    You can also check out this list of salad topping ideas for more options!

    How to Build a Salad

    Select Your Flavors

    You will want a variety of complementary tastes and textures.

    Most salads draw from the following categories: a green, something crunchy, something fresh, something bitter, something sharp, something sweet, something salty, and something fatty.

    In the recipe provided, that looks like this: butter lettuce, cucumber, tarragon, lemon, carrot, feta, and pumpkin seeds.

    But you don't need to represent all of these categories. The goal is balance. A salad with just lettuce and a balanced vinaigrette is delicious, isn't it? Approach the salad with a sense of curiosity, and remember to balance each flavor against its opposite.

    Examples:

    • You choose a peppery and bitter green like arugula, so you balance that by choosing a sweet piece of fruit or a sweet dressing like this maple vinaigrette salad dressing or this Mandarin orange ginger dressing to add.
    • You choose a creamy dressing, like this ranch dressing recipe, so you opt to add a lot of fresh, light ingredients, like cucumber and fresh herbs.
    • You choose to add a lot of crunchy vegetables to your salad, so you add soft goat cheese to balance the textures.

    If you get stuck for ideas, come back to the ingredient examples and categories provided above to create a salad that sounds most appealing to you. Also, shoot me a message! Comment below or email me and I'll be happy to help you figure it out.

    Prep Your Ingredients

    Make your dressing, wash your vegetables, and cut anything that needs cutting!

    For cleaning salad greens this salad spinner is my absolute favorite. I totally recommend it if you're in the market for one.

    An emulsified lemon vinaigrette is shown in a glass jar.

    Build Your Salad

    Time to assemble. Add all of your ingredients to a large salad bowl and mix well. You'll want the ingredients spread evenly throughout so each bite has a bit of everything! Serve up the salad and enjoy.

    Two dishes of side salad are shown on a white marble counter with a small pitcher of lemon herb dressing and a green linen.

    How to Store

    Fridge I recommend preparing and serving your salad right away. If you believe there will be leftovers, set a portion of the salad aside and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Depending on the type of greens, it may wilt quickly.

    Once the ingredients have been prepared, eat the salad within 1 to 2 days.

    Freezer I do not recommend freezing this dish.

    FAQ

    What is a side salad?

    A side salad is a smaller salad meant to accompany a main dish. It's typically made with a few ingredients: lettuce, a vegetable like tomatoes or cucumbers, and a dressing.

    But side salads can be something more interesting and exciting. A traditional side salad is always good, but try new flavors and textures and you may find a new favorite.

    Is a side salad healthy?

    Typically, yes. With vegetables and healthy fats from olive oil, this dish is a nice way to add some extra nutrients to your meal. However, this will depend on your choice of dressing and toppings.

    Is a side salad an appetizer?

    It can be. A side salad can be served at any point in the meal, whether before or alongside your main dish.

    What is the correct ratio for a vinaigrette?

    There are two schools of thought here. The classic ratio is 3 parts fat (oil) to 1 part acid (vinegar or citrus juice). Many contemporary chefs recommend a more assertive 2 parts oil to 1 part acid. Try both and see what you like best!

    Can any salad be a side salad?

    I would contend that it can! Caesar salad is excellent with an Italian dinner, and salads with cheeses and nuts are just as welcome on my table as a traditional green salad.

    Try to balance an assertive salad with a simpler flavor profile for your main dish.

    Expert Tips

    • Choose ingredients that complement each other for your salad. I like to choose something from each category: a green, a few vegetables or fruits, a nut or seed, a cheese, a fresh herb, and sometimes an additional topping.
    • Try to balance your flavors. If your dressing is very creamy, try using some fresh or peppery ingredients, like arugula, cucumber, or celery. If you're using a sweet dressing, choose some savory or salty items like goat cheese and nuts.
    • When in doubt, stick to basics. If you're not sure what goes well together and dinner is already on the table, a simple lettuce salad that's simply dressed will always go over well.

    How to Serve

    This salad can go with just about everything. Here are some suggestions:

    Sandwiches This Grinder Sandwich or this Turkey Avocado Sandwich with chipotle sauce are favorites.

    Soups The classic pairing: soup and salad. Try any of TCK's soups and stew, like Instant Pot Chicken Stew, Chicken Pastina Soup, Greek Chickpea Soup, Instant Pot Tortellini Soup, Chicken and Cabbage Soup, or Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup.

    Toasts Try serving with a piece of Air Fryer Toast or a piece of bread fried in olive oil.

    Chicken These Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas, Italian Chicken Cutlets, Chicken Drumsticks Kabab, or Cast Iron Chicken would all benefit from a fresh side salad.

    Beef Ranchera Meat would be delicious on this salad, or you can serve it alongside some Carne Asada Quesadillas. You could also try it with a traditional prime rib!

    Duck For an upscale meal, try adding this duck breast recipe!

    Pasta is always wonderful with a salad. Try any of our wonderful pasta dishes, like Penne al Baffo, Aglio Olio e Peperoncino, Linguine Bolognese, or Homemade Lasagna.

    Risotto This would be lovely with Chicken and Leek Risotto.

    Recipes You'll Love

    If you're in the mood for more easy vegetable sides, try these recipes:

    Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

    Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli

    Roasted Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine

    Beet Cucumber Salad

    Arugula Caprese Salad

    📖 Recipe

    Two dishes of side salad are shown on a white marble counter with a small pitcher of lemon herb dressing and a green linen.

    Side Salad

    A simple and delicious side salad with butter lettuce, radishes, carrots, cucumber, pumpkin seeds, feta, and lemon herb vinaigrette. Check out the accompanying post for instructions on how to build your own salad with the items you have on hand!
    5 from 47 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 261kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Large Bowl
    • Kitchen Knife

    Ingredients

    Dressing

    • 1 recipe Lemon Herb Vinaigrette recipe linked here and in instructions; or use a dressing of your choice

    Salad

    • 5 ounces butter lettuce or salad green of your choice
    • 4 radishes thinly sliced
    • 1 carrot medium, thinly sliced
    • ½ cucumber hothouse, thinly sliced; see note 2 below
    • 4 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or to taste
    • 4 tablespoons feta or to taste; see note 3 below

    Instructions

    Dressing

    • Make one recipe Lemon Herb Vinaigrette, or have the dressing of your choice on hand.

    Salad

    • Add the lettuce, radish, carrot, cucumber, cheese and seeds to a large bowl. Mix well.
    • Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing per person over the salad ingredients (or more, to taste) and stir well to combine. Serve right away.

    Notes

    General
    1. See the text of this post for information on how to build your own side salad with the ingredients you have on hand.
    2. You can also use 1 persian cucumber, or a regular slicing cucumber. If using a slicing cucumber, I recommend peeling it. 
    3. Use any salty, crumbled cheese here. Goat cheese is another good option.
    Storage
    1. I recommend only preparing and serving as much salad as you intend to eat. If you think you will have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge (without the dressing) for 1 to 2 days. Dress when ready to eat.
    2. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3822IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer says

      January 23, 2023 at 5:54 am

      5 stars
      The dressing on this is terrific! So light and lemony. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        January 23, 2023 at 12:46 pm

        Yay! Thanks Jenn!

        Reply
    2. Sue says

      January 23, 2023 at 5:48 am

      5 stars
      This side salad is a perfect solution when I need something quick and light to got with a bigger meal. I love the lemon vinaigrette, it's the best dressing!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        January 23, 2023 at 12:47 pm

        Thanks so much, Sue!

        Reply
    3. laura l sampson says

      January 22, 2023 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      This side salad recipe is simple and perfect. My son wanted to make our salads to go with dinner and this was just the right recipe for him to make.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        January 22, 2023 at 3:13 pm

        I love it when kids want to help in the kitchen and so happy he made this recipe! Thanks Laura!

        Reply
    4. Anne says

      January 22, 2023 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      This is a tasty salad recipe! The addition of pumpkin seeds is a nice touch, it adds crunchiness without croutons.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        January 22, 2023 at 3:14 pm

        Thanks, Anne! I'm a big fan of pumpkin seeds. Happy to hear you liked this!

        Reply
    5. Devy says

      January 19, 2023 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love this simple salad with refreshing taste and flavor. Everything was so easy to prep and make. Such an effortless way to eat my veggies.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        January 20, 2023 at 9:19 pm

        I'm so happy to hear it was a hit, Devy! Thank you!

        Reply
    5 from 47 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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