The Perfect Simple Side Salad

Name: The Perfect Simple Side Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 Persian cucumber, sliced; 1 medium carrot, grated; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 2 cups cubed bread for croutons; 3 tablespoons olive oil for croutons; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil for dressing; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste

A fresh and crunchy side salad with homemade garlic croutons and an easy vinaigrette that goes with every meal.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 14, 2026

dailyrecipesbook.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is something wonderful about a classic side salad that brings a meal together. This salad is my absolute favorite because it is crisp, colorful, and works perfectly alongside chicken, pasta, or your favorite soup. It is the kind of dish that makes even a simple weeknight dinner feel a bit more special.

The real secret here is the homemade garlic croutons. Once you make them yourself, you will never want to go back to store bought ones again. I also love that this recipe is so flexible, so feel free to throw in whatever extra veggies you have hiding in your fridge.

Ingredients

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Persian cucumber, sliced
1 medium carrot, grated
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cups cubed bread for croutons
3 tablespoons olive oil for croutons
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil for dressing
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2
Toss the bread cubes with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden and crunchy.
3
In a small jar, whisk or shake together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, and red onion.
5
Add the fresh croutons and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
6
Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Add more dressing if you like and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

To keep your salad crisp, wash and dry your greens very thoroughly before tossing them with other ingredients. If you are making the dressing in advance, store it in a mason jar in the fridge for up to one week and just give it a good shake before using. Homemade croutons stay crunchy for about a week if kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

#Vegetarian #Healthy #Side Dish #Fresh #Quick

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