When the weather is hot, there’s nothing like a fresh and flavorful Garden Salad! And believe me, this easy 8-ingredient salad recipe tops all the rest.
With a tasty assortment of vibrant veggies, crunchy croutons, and salty cheddar cheese, you’ve got the ultimate trifecta of flavor and texture.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a more complex salad with lots of different ingredients. Thing is, I’m not always in the mood to make my own dressing or prep a bunch of veggies and toppings. That’s why this garden salad recipe is PERFECT — it’s simple, yet delicious and satisfying.
You can literally make this salad in two easy steps. One, prep your veggies and place them in your salad bowl. Two, add your dressing and toss. That’s all ladies and gents!
Garden Salad Ingredients (Less Than 10!)
- Romaine lettuce: The fresher, the better! Romaine lettuce is the perfect base for your salad and adds a nice crunch.
- Cherry tomatoes: Leave it to cherry tomatoes to add a pop of color and juicy flavor to your salad.
- Red onion: Red onion has a nice bite and delivers some yummy crunch!
- Carrot: Shred your own carrots or buy them pre-shredded. Either way, they’ll add their own special thang.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: We recommend shredding your cheddar fresh for the best flavor and texture.
- English cucumber: Hydrates with that refreshing crunch! Great for the summer.
- Croutons: What even is a salad without croutons?!
- Your favorite salad dressing: Make your own adventure with this one! This garden salad mix will taste delish with practically any dressing.
What other greens go well with garden salad?
If you want to mix up your garden salad, there are plenty of other greens that will taste great with the classic ingredients mentioned above. Some options include:
Spinach: For an extra nutrient boost, add some fresh spinach leaves to your salad.
Arugula: This peppery green adds a nice tangy flavor to balance out the other ingredients.
Spring mix: A blend of different greens, including spinach and arugula, will give your garden salad even more variety.
Kale: Another nutrient-packed option, kale can add a nice hearty texture to your salad. To make it more tender, massage it with some dressing before adding it.
Iceberg lettuce: For a more traditional take on garden salad, you can use iceberg lettuce as your base. This lettuce has a crispy texture and mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Try our delicious homemade salad dressing!
If you’re feeling an easy, cheesy, homemade salad dressing, try our:
Here’s a tip: Make your own croutons!
Making your own croutons is a delicious way to elevate your garden salad. They are also ridiculously easy to make. So much so that you will be BAFFLED at why you’ve been buying the more expensive and processed kind at the store. They straight up taste better and are better for you!
Our sister site, Fit Foodie Finds, has a Homemade Croutons recipe that is seasoned and pan-fried to perfection. Customize them with your favorite herbs and spices for even more flavor!
Storing Your Delicious Garden Salad
We recommend storing your garden salad ingredients separately and assembling them right before serving for the freshest taste. You can also make a large batch of salad dressing and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Great Dishes to Compliment Your Garden Salad
Really, anything will taste fantastic alongside this garden salad! Try our Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Simple Cheeseburgers, or Italian Stuffed Peppers for a high-protein and well-rounded meal.
For my veg-heads, this Lemon Garlic Pasta, Easy Pizza Bagels, or Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap would also make super tasty additions.
Garden Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 9 oz. chopped romaine lettuce ~2 cups
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ¼ small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 large grated carrot
- 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese ~1 cup
- ½ English cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ – 1 cup of favorite salad dressing
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients, except the salad dressing, to a large serving bowl and toss to combine.
- Add ½ cup of dressing to the salad and toss. Before adding more dressing, allow the salad to sit for 5 minutes. If after 5 minutes the salad doesn’t look saucy enough, add more dressing.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes
- 9 oz. is the most common size for bagged already chopped.
- We used these croutons.