Best Side Salad

This is the BEST side salad recipe: it goes with everything, is easy to make, and is always a crowd-pleaser! It uses a tasty, classic mix of ingredients that everyone will love and that's quick to throw together.

About This Recipe

This tasty side salad uses simple ingredients that are perfect if you're serving people who have different food preferences. And it's the best because it goes with everything! You'll want to save this recipe for holidays, dinner parties, or if you need a go-to healthy side dish.

This salad recipe includes a delicious 5-ingredient Creamy Italian Dressing; but you can also swap this out for a store-bought version. Almost any dressing would be tasty (ranch, honey mustard, etc.) — try it with your favorite!

Side Salad Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.

• Romaine lettuce
• Cucumber
• Grape tomatoes
• Croutons
• Carrots
• Red onion
• Parmesan, optional

Creamy Italian Dressing:

• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Italian seasoning (or oregano)
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan, optional

How to Make the Best Side Salad

Here's how to make this recipe in 3 simple steps:

1. Make the dressing: in a small bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water, as needed until the dressing reaches your preferred consistency.
2. Assemble the salad: add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl.
3. Toss & serve: drizzle as much of the dressing as desired over the salad and toss to mix. Optionally, garnish with shredded parmesan before serving.

Variations

Here's some of the most popular substitutions and additions for this recipe:

• Lettuce: the recipe calls for romaine lettuce but you could also use spinach or a leafy green spring mix.
• Tomatoes: any type of tomatoes will be tasty: cherry, grape, or chopped roma, garden, or heirloom tomatoes.
• Cheese: swap out parmesan for a creamy cheese like feta or goat cheese if you prefer. Shredded cheddar cheese is another popular option.
• Nuts: add nuts to your salad for some extra crunch! Try you favorite nut like pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds.

About The Dressing

This recipe uses a homemade creamy Italian dressing. It's a classic Italian dressing mixed with mayonnaise for added creaminess and is the perfect match for the ingredients in the salad! The dressing makes this salad flavorful and satisfying, even though it's only a side dish.

Feel free to swap the dressing out for your favorite one! This salad is very versatile and would be delicious with any dressing. Here's a few other ideas:

Dressing Options

• Ranch Dressing
• Italian Dressing
• Honey Mustard Dressing

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Serve

For the best flavor and texture, toss your salad just before serving it. You can leave it in a large bowl for people to scoop out their own servings or add it to serving plates.

Since this salad is also popular for large groups, you can serve it buffet-style: serve the lettuce and topping separately in their own bowls and let guests make their own custom salads.

Similar Recipes

For more side salad ideas, check out these favorites:

• Strawberry Feta Salad
• Corn Salad
• Traditional Greek Salad

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment & rating at the bottom of this page!

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Nutrition disclaimer: nutrition information is an estimate to the best of our availability; please note that nutrition information will vary based on the exact products and quantities used.