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    Home » Recipes » Savory Salads

    The BEST Side Salad Recipe

    By: Jessica · Posted: Apr 24, 2023 · Updated: Feb 6, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    4.18 from 553 votes
    The best side salad recipe, on a round plate, next to a red napkin.

    This is the BEST side salad recipe you’ll ever have! It’s the requested side dish at family gatherings and not your ordinary run-of-the-mill side salad.

    There’s a SECRET! How to cut the lettuce and add these two common spices that change your salad-making life, and you can see more about this below.

    Best Salad Recipe in White Plate with Red Napkin

     

    Of all of the salad recipes we’ve ever had, this is by far the favorite and easy side salad to serve alongside your favorite dinner recipes, whether it’s a steak in the oven recipe, creamy lemon chicken pasta, chicken drumsticks in the oven, air fryer fish, or whatever the main course is!

    Jump to:
    • Expert Tip:
    • What Makes it the BEST Green Salad:
    • Tips on How to Make the Best Salad
    • 1. How the Lettuce is Cut
    • How to Cut Romaine Lettuce (and Spinach)
    • The 2 Ingredients That Make It the BEST Salad
    • Side Salad Ingredients and Toppings
    • Making This Simple Salad Ahead of Time
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Homemade Salad Dressing
    • More Salad Recipes
    • More Side Dishes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Expert Tip:

    If you’re making this salad as a main dish, you should try making this tuna salad recipe to go on top of it! You won’t believe how delicious the creaminess of the tuna, adds to the salad… so much so, that you may not even need a dressing! It’s the perfect lunch or light dinner!

    What Makes it the BEST Green Salad:

    I have to thank my mother-in-law for teaching me how to make the BEST of the best when it comes to side salad recipes. The woman has some serious salad skills and I couldn’t wait to share her secret with you. Don’t worry, I asked for her permission!

    For this side salad, there are two ingredients and a certain way to cut the lettuce.

    I bet you even have the two ingredients in your pantry!

    Tips on How to Make the Best Salad

    So there are a few secrets to the best side salad recipe that has literally left people saying,

    I don’t know what it is, but it’s SO good! Why is it so good!?

    Well, it’s a couple of things.

    1. How the Lettuce is Cut

    Two image collage of cutting romaine lettuce.

    Romaine Lettuce:

    You’ll want to use romaine for a side salad. I’ve used other greens like, mixed greens, leaf lettuce and head lettuce and although they’ll do in a pinch, those types of lettuce don’t measure up to romaine. However, what’s even better than just romaine is a combination of TWO different kinds of greens…

    Using Spinach Too:

    Using fresh spinach along with romaine is definitely optional but it REALLY adds a delicious texture to the salad.

    Even as someone who’s not a huge fan of spinach salads, I always try to incorporate a small handful of chopped spinach in to this salad now because it makes a wonderful difference.

    How to Cut Romaine Lettuce (and Spinach)

    The key is chopping the lettuce into small pieces and removing the white part (the stem) because it can overpower and cause your salad to taste bitter.

    Have you ever eaten a “chopped salad” at a restaurant and found the texture and flavor to be so much more amazing than a head-lettuce or romaine salad with all of the white crunchy pieces like you typically find on a salad bar?

    This is why it’s so good. The lettuce is easier to eat, less bitter and so much more enjoyable.

    Side salad with toppings in clear bowl.
    There are 2 ingredients that make this salad the best!

    The 2 Ingredients That Make It the BEST Salad

    Basil & Garlic Powder.

    Isn’t that EASY?

    This combination on a salad is dynamite. I’m talking dried basil and garlic powder that you probably already have in your pantry. (But if you have fresh basil, chop a few leaves up instead of dried and the flavor is even more incredible!)

    Sprinkle on your desired taste preference, and toss.

    By FAR one of my favorite touches to this side salad. It’s easy, and it makes a HUGE difference for your salad…. making it the BEST salad recipe of all time. At least in our house! 🙂

    Side Salad Ingredients and Toppings

    Salad ingredients on plate with dressing on the side.
    Pick your favorite salad ingredients and dressing

    Along with the right lettuce and the garlic powder and basil, we love adding our favorite toppings!

    Feel free to use what you like and take out what you don’t!

    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • Shredded Cheese – bagged is just fine but fresh shredded block cheddar is amazing!
    • Bacon (or Air Fryer Bacon)
    • Tomato
    • Cucumber
    • Radish
    • Sunflower Seeds
    • Green Onions
    • Croutons (especially these brioche croutons)

    Or turn your side salad in to a main dish by adding proteins like:

    • grilled chicken (These chicken bites are incredible in this side salad.)
    • baked chicken
    • buffalo chicken
    • steak
    • salmon
    • shrimp (like this grilled shrimp recipe)
    • crab
    • pork (like this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork)
    • leftover meats (smoked brisket, roast, etc.)
    • lunchmeat (ham, turkey)

    Toppings Tip: Cutting the lettuce in to small bite-size pieces is important. But if you chop all of your toppings too, it makes it even better!

    Dinner salad on white plate with red and white cloth.
    The perfect dinner salad

    Making This Simple Salad Ahead of Time

    We have this salad at least a couple of times a week at home. It gets in our veggies, and it takes a lot of guesswork out of what we are going to have alongside our main dish because it goes with almost everything!

    I’ve never been a huge fan of making a large salad in bulk because I’ve been told that cut lettuce won’t “keep” as long in the refrigerator.

    But I AM a fan of pre-chopping the ingredients and putting them in containers ahead of time, so my side dishes get easier and easier throughout the week.

    See more make-ahead salads that we love!

    Recipe FAQs

    What kind of dressing is best for a side salad?

    Feel free to top it with the dressing of your choice, but we are HUGE fans of making the Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Dressing, with the seasoning packet that you can make with mayo and buttermilk! See below.

    What is a side salad?

    A small green salad to serve alongside a main dish recipe, that usually includes a house dressing or favorite salad dressing like ranch, blue cheese, or oil & vinegar!

    How big is a side salad?

    Plan on 1 to 1 ½ cups of salad for a side salad to go with dinner.

    Homemade Salad Dressing

    For this salad recipe, there’s no better dressing than this homemade salad dressing, using Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch, Restaurant Style!

    Ingredients:

    • 1 package of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Recipe (Restaurant Style)
    • 1 cup mayo
    • 1 cup buttermilk (you can use regular milk if that’s all you have but the buttermilk is thicker and is much better!)

    Mix all three ingredients together and chill for about 30 minutes. Drizzle on this green salad and enjoy!

    Store any remaining salad dressing in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or mason jar!

    Or, if you love a spicy kick, you may love this homemade jalapeno ranch dressing instead!

    Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Packet.
    Our favorite dressing for a salad – Hidden Valley Ranch Restaurant Style Dressing

    More Salad Recipes

    We’re BIG fans of salad around here, whether that’s pasta salad, a quick lettuce salad, savory salads, or dessert salads. If you love them too, here are our favorite salad recipes, that I think you’ll love, especially this crab salad that we’re addicted to!

    More Side Dishes

    You may also love these side dishes that are popular with others:

    • two tuna salad sandwiches stacked on top of one another
      The BEST Tuna Salad Recipe
    • Chicken macaroni salad in a bowl.
      The BEST Chicken Macaroni Salad
    • Old fashioned ham salad on white bun, next to pickles and potato chips
      Ham Salad Recipe
    • Pistachio Salad in white bowl on pink background
      Pistachio Salad

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    More Lettuce Salad Recipes You’ll Love:

    • Summer Side Salad
    • Italian Chopped Salad
    • Apple Cranberry Salad

    Recipe

    side salad on white plate drizzled with ranch

    The BEST Side Salad Recipe

    Jessica Burgess
    The BEST Side Salad Recipe: There’s a SECRET to this salad, and it tops all salad recipes we’ve tried!
    4.18 from 553 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 servings
    Calories 222 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 3 heads romaine lettuce See how to cut and remove stalk
    • 2 cups chopped fresh spinach optional
    • 1 tablespoon dried basil or fresh!
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or more/less if you prefer!
    • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese For best results, shred your own block cheese
    • 1 roma tomato chopped
    • 3-4 slices cooked bacon chopped
    • 2 boiled eggs chopped
    • ¼ cup celery chopped
    • ¼ cup carrots chopped
    • 1 radish chopped
    • 1 stalk green onions chopped
    • 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds hulled

    Instructions
     

    • Slice romaine leaves off of white stems, (discard white stems) and chop lettuce into small pieces and pour in large serving bowl. If also using fresh spinach, chop and add to romaine in bowl.
    • Next layer on your favorite toppings, such as chopped tomato, bacon, eggs, radishes, green onions, celery, carrots, sunflower seeds and cheddar cheese.
    • Sprinkle the garlic powder and the dried basil on top.
    • Serve with choice of dressing. (Our favorite is to make the Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing, with the seasoning packet, buttermilk and mayo.)

    Notes

    TIPS to make this the best side salad:
    • Chop everything in to small pieces, including the lettuce.
    • We love using Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch for dressing (The packet that you make with mayo and buttermilk) and making this before starting the salad so it can sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, according to package directions.
    • If you want to make this ahead of time, chop up the toppings and store them separately so the toppings don’t make the lettuce soggy.
    Topping Ideas: 
    Carrots, radishes, green onions, tomatoes, cooked bacon, hard-boiled eggs, celery, sunflower seeds, and shredded cheddar cheese.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1salad (⅕ recipe; without dressing) | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 1177mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 35288IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 5mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords delicious side salad, easy side salad recipe, green salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
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    Comments

      4.18 from 553 votes (534 ratings without comment)

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    1. Maryann says

      February 24, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      This salad is so delicious!! The added spices really give it a great taste. I will definitely be making this salad again!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 24, 2021 at 6:12 pm

        I’m so glad, thank you Maryann! If you don’t mind, I’d love for you to leave a star-rating review in the recipe card too if you get time! So others can know what you think! 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Hinna mirza says

      December 09, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      I ment the bacon?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 09, 2020 at 7:42 pm

        You don’t have to have bacon in the salad! But if you’re looking for something similar you can add bacon bits if you have those. 🙂

        Reply
    3. hinna says

      December 09, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      doll what can I replace the ham with

      Reply
    4. Pat says

      November 17, 2020 at 5:58 am

      I absolutely hate salads! However I loved them when I was young because my mother chopped everything up small. I never added dressing as the water from rinsing combined with the juices from the veggies made a perfect dressing. This type of salad was unheard of among my friends. They like big chunks. Yuk! I am really looking forward to trying your salad. It will bring back great memories and is sure to be delicious.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 17, 2020 at 11:00 am

        Aw, I sure hope you love this one for sure then!! I have a feeling you will!

        Reply
    5. Gayle says

      October 04, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      I added black beans and can corn because I had it in my fridge. Great!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        October 05, 2020 at 8:02 am

        Yum! That sounds like great additions! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    6. Jo Anne says

      August 07, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      I have always been told that cutting lettuce with a steel knife would cause lettuce to turn brown faster. Try cutting with a serrated plastic knife instead.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 08, 2020 at 8:25 am

        Hi Jo Anne! I’ve heard this too but have never had this problem thank goodness… because I’m picky when it comes to knives. 🙂 But using a plastic knife is definitely ok!

        Reply
    7. Diane Simmons says

      July 04, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner and it was a huge hit! It is really good and the spices add a lot of great flavor. I was requested to bring this for our family potluck. It is a keeper!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 08, 2020 at 10:43 am

        This is great to hear! I’m so glad that you liked it! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and for letting us know!!

        Reply
    8. Ingrid miller says

      June 10, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      Hi loved the salad I also put chopped dry dates they’re like a kick of sweet candy everyone loves them even non date lovers thx ingrid

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 11, 2020 at 10:10 am

        Oh good! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it and the addition of dates sounds great!

        Reply
    9. May Allen says

      June 05, 2020 at 1:15 pm

      Try using chopped fresh herbs – Delish.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 06, 2020 at 9:50 am

        I will have to give that a try!

        Reply
    10. Laura Randell says

      June 01, 2020 at 1:41 pm

      the best ever

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 02, 2020 at 3:12 pm

        I’m so glad that you liked it Laura!! Thank you for letting us know!

        Reply
    11. Karen Hicks says

      March 30, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Have you tried using fresh basil and/or fresh garlic?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 30, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        Hi Karen! I haven’t, but I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it!

        Reply
    12. Sue says

      March 30, 2020 at 2:55 am

      Oh, yum! I have all the ingredients in my fridge. I’m going to make this tonight, but I’m adding cucumbers to it. I love cucs in salads!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 30, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        Mmm! Cucumbers in it is so good too! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    13. Brandy Rhea says

      March 23, 2020 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      This side saiad is so good! Great for any time of year!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 27, 2020 at 10:12 am

        Thank you!!! You’re so right… it’s pairs well with steaks, pizza, chicken, fish, as a main dish… or just about anything!

        Reply
    14. Jackie says

      March 23, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is my go to for family get togethers in the spring & summer months! I usually make more than her recipe only because i want everyone to get some!! The bowl is always empty when we go to clean up!!
      Side note she has tons of other great recipes that my family loves!!
      Thanks for sharing them!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 27, 2020 at 10:14 am

        Haha!! I can totally relate. Doubling (or tripling) is definitely recommended at our house too! Lol!

        Reply
    15. Sue says

      March 23, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      5 stars
      I used to think my salads made at home were boring until I made this salad . Never thought of seasoning a salad . Now I always make my salads this way . Love it !

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 23, 2020 at 11:21 pm

        Awww, I totally agree. That’s exactly how we felt before doing this to our salads Thank you for taking the time to leave the comment and review!

        Reply
    16. Debbie says

      February 24, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      I also hate getting large chunks when dining out. I started chopping my salads last year. And I know this sounds crazy, but I swear that just chopping the ingredients makes it taste so much better! My husband agrees! I can’t wait to try those two secret ingredients. Sounds so good!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 25, 2020 at 6:46 pm

        Totally agree!!! I can’t wait for you to try the 2 ingredients too! I think you’ll LOVE it! 🙂

        Reply
      • Mollybea says

        May 06, 2020 at 1:33 pm

        I also hate getting all those big white chunks from the Romaine Lettuce. Give me more GREEN! 😊

        Reply
        • Jessica says

          May 07, 2020 at 7:11 am

          YES!!!!

          Reply
    17. Leigh Ann says

      January 07, 2020 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      Genius! Funny how such a simple and common ingredient can send a recipe over the top!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 07, 2020 at 5:57 pm

        Aw, thank you! I know, right? So easy and SOOO good!

        Reply
    18. Connie Peck says

      January 03, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      My Mother in law ALWAYS washed her lettuce immediately after purchasing and wrapped in a paper towel. Break the head up some. Place in the crisper of the refrigerator after wrapping in 4 or 5 paper towels. It’s so much crisper. I still do this. I will try this salad probably tonight. It’s sounds delish!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 04, 2020 at 9:15 am

        That’s a great tip! Thank you so much. Oh I hope you get to make this salad recipe… I think you’ll love it!

        Reply
    19. Tina says

      June 10, 2019 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      The chopped lettuce in a bowl with a paper towel works very well. It actually kind of crisps the lettuce some. This truly is the best side salad that i have made. My husband and i actually have this as a main meal. It’s because i always make so much.
      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 10, 2019 at 10:39 pm

        YAY! I’m so so glad and thank you for mentioning the paper towel trick! 🙂 XO

        Reply
    20. Julie Fletcher says

      April 30, 2019 at 8:12 am

      I have to serve a crowd right when we get back in town. If I keep the ingredients separate can I chop the lettuce two days ahead? What are your storage tips? Should I put a damp paper towel in the container to keep it crisp?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        May 13, 2019 at 8:59 am

        Hi Julie! I’ve read that storing your DRY chopped lettuce in a bowl, topped with a paper towel so the moisture doesn’t get to the lettuce, and covered with plastic wrap helps! I’ll have to try this myself to see how it does! 🙂

        Reply
        • Wendy Hampton says

          March 19, 2020 at 1:26 pm

          5 stars
          I washed my veggies, chopped them up, spun them in my salad spinner and put them into a glass bowl, topped with a paper towel and plastic wrap and it worked perfectly! In fact, it lasted a couple days which surprised me!

          Reply
          • Jessica says

            March 19, 2020 at 1:51 pm

            Yay!!! This is fantastic to know. Thank you so much for taking the time to do so!

            Reply
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