This simple garden salad is one of those recipes I make when I want something fresh, crunchy and easy to put together.
It is packed with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumber and plenty of chives, then tossed with a homemade dressing made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice and mustard.
The dressing is fresh, slightly tangy and lightly citrusy, and it works beautifully with the crunchy vegetables.
You can also add some sliced radishes if you like. They give the salad an extra crunch and a slightly peppery flavor, but they are completely optional. 🥗🍋
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Fresh and crunchy
- Quick and easy to make
- Simple everyday ingredients
- Homemade dressing
- Fresh citrusy flavor
- Perfect with grilled or roasted chicken
- Great for summer barbecues
- Easy to adjust to your taste
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 large head of lettuce
- 5 medium tomatoes
- 3 medium cucumbers
- 1 generous bunch of fresh chives
- 1 bunch of radishes, thinly sliced (optional)
For the Dressing
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½–1 teaspoon honey
How to Make the Salad
Step 1 – Prepare the Vegetables
Wash all the vegetables thoroughly.
Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Cut the tomatoes into smaller pieces or wedges.
Slice the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons.
Finely chop the fresh chives.
If using radishes, slice them thinly.
Place all the vegetables into a large salad bowl.
Step 2 – Make the Dressing
Add all the dressing ingredients to a small jar:
- olive oil
- apple cider vinegar
- lemon juice
- mustard
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- oregano
- honey
Close the jar tightly and shake well until everything is thoroughly combined.
Taste the dressing and adjust it to your liking.
If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a little more honey. If you like a sharper, more refreshing flavor, add a little extra lemon juice.
Step 3 – Dress the Salad
Pour the dressing over the vegetables just before serving.
Toss everything gently until the vegetables are evenly coated.
Serve immediately.
Optional Radishes
Radishes are completely optional in this salad.
If you enjoy their slightly peppery flavor and extra crunch, simply slice a bunch of radishes thinly and add them with the other vegetables.
If you don’t have any or don’t like them, leave them out — the salad is delicious either way.
Tips for the Best Garden Salad
Dress it just before serving
Lettuce becomes softer the longer it sits in the dressing, so for the best crunch, dress the salad right before eating.
Adjust the dressing
The dressing is very easy to customize. Add a little more lemon juice for freshness, more honey for sweetness, or extra mustard for a stronger flavor.
Use fresh lemon juice
Fresh lemon juice gives the dressing a much brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.
Make it ahead
You can prepare the vegetables and dressing separately ahead of time. Keep them refrigerated and combine just before serving.
Perfect for a barbecue
This salad makes a wonderful side dish for grilled chicken, roasted chicken, sausages or other barbecue dishes. ☀️
Serving Suggestions
This fresh salad works especially well alongside:
- grilled chicken
- roasted chicken
- grilled meat
- barbecue dishes
- baked potatoes
- sandwiches
- simple summer lunches
It’s also delicious on its own when you want something light and fresh.
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