Quick and Easy Classic House Salad Recipe

Reasons you will love this recipe:

1. This best house salad recipe stands out for its unbeatable flavor thanks to a delicious homemade dressing. The simple yet sensational dressing elevates the taste of fresh ingredients to new heights, making every bite a delightful experience. For a delicious alternative, check out this lovely French Vinaigrette recipe.
2. You’ll adore this salad for its effortless preparation, featuring straightforward and readily available ingredients. No need for a complex shopping list – this recipe, sometimes called an American salad, champions the use of everyday staples you probably already have in your fridge.
3. This simple classic salad recipe offers endless customization possibilities. While it starts with a simple base, you can personalize it to your heart’s content. Add extra veggies, incorporate your favorite proteins, or experiment with additional toppings.

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

• Lettuce – Romaine and iceberg lettuce are the stars of this show and work together to create a crisp and refreshing salad.
• Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onions – add a burst of freshness, color, and a delightful crunch! You can substitute grape tomatoes and use either English or hothouse cucumbers or regular garden cucumbers. Green onions or scallions can be substituted for the red onion.
• Cheddar cheese, croutons, and crumbled bacon -add layers of flavor and texture, enhancing its richness, crunchiness, and savory appeal. You can substitute your favorite cheese for the cheddar.
• Avocado oil – has a mild, neutral flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients in the dressing. This allows the flavors of the herbs, spices, and other seasonings to shine through. You can substitute olive oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.
• Red wine vinegar – provides a pleasant balance of acidity and flavor. Suitable substitutes include white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or lemon juice.
• Dijon mustard – acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind and stabilize the oil and vinegar in the dressing. It also adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
• Honey – adds a touch of natural sweetness to the dressing, balancing out the acidity from the vinegar.
• Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder – work together to create a well-balanced, flavorful, and aromatic homemade salad dressing. They not only enhance the taste of the dressing but also complement all of the ingredients.

Remember, when making substitutions, it will change the taste of the final dish. Complete measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Serving suggestions:

This is a great side dish, and I like to serve it with my Lemon Pepper Salmon, Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole, Hamburger Noodle Casserole, Baked Spaghetti Pie, and Baked Ziti.

It also goes well with my Chicken Sausage and Wild Rice Casserole, White Bean Soup, Irish Potato Soup, Crock-Pot Pot Roast, Corn and Crab Bisque, or Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Because of its simplicity, it pairs well with just about any main dish or soup.

Adding roasted shrimp, grilled chicken, turkey, ham, or sliced boiled eggs can transform your side dish salad into a satisfying and balanced main course salad.

Recipe variations:

Add shredded carrots, baby spinach leaves, bell peppers, green onions, chickpeas, or black beans to change up this basic recipe. You can also change the lettuce and use butter lettuce or a spring mix.

Sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, crispy onions, roasted pecans, fresh berries, and cut-up fruit such as apples can be added as toppings.

And, of course, you can change up the dressing, and instead of the vinaigrette, use either purchased or homemade Italian dressing, blue cheese dressing, or your favorite dressing

How to store leftovers:

If you think you won’t eat all of the salad, wait and add the dressing and croutons to only how much you think you will eat. Once you add dressing, the greens will become soggy, the croutons will lose their crispiness, and it will not be as appealing.

To save undressed salad, transfer the components into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Before storing, place a paper towel on top of the ingredients. This can help absorb excess moisture and keep the dish crisper.

What’s the best way to wash and store lettuce?

Place the lettuce leaves in a colander or salad spinner and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.

Or, fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the lettuce leaves. Swirl them around in the water to help dislodge any remaining dirt or sand. If the water becomes cloudy, drain it and repeat this step with fresh water until the water remains clear.

Lift the lettuce out of the water and allow excess water to drain in the colander.

If you have a salad spinner, place the rinsed lettuce in the spinner’s basket and spin it for a few seconds to remove excess moisture. This step helps prevent the leaves from becoming soggy.

Lay out clean kitchen towels or paper towels and gently pat the lettuce leaves dry. Place the lettuce in a clean, airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Line the container or bag with a dry paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

Store the lettuce in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer and try to use the lettuce within a week for the best quality. Lettuce is perishable and can start to wilt after a few days, even when stored correctly.

Recipe FAQs:

Expert tips and tricks:

• Don’t dress the salad until you’re ready to eat it. This keeps the greens crisp and prevents the dish from becoming soggy.
• Use this basic recipe as more of a guide and personalize your dish to suit your family’s tastes and preferences.
• Select crisp lettuce or greens, ripe vegetables, and any other components you plan to include. Freshness is key to a great salad.
• As mentioned previously, wash the vegetables and greens thoroughly and pat them dry to prevent a watery dish. Using a salad spinner can be helpful.
• When mixing the dressing with the salad, toss it gently to ensure an even coating.

More yummy salad recipes:

Here is a link to all of my salad recipes if you need more menu ideas.

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