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Fresh Garden Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and a Tangy Vinaigrette Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 72 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 7 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 5 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: International
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

A fresh and vibrant garden salad featuring crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and grated carrot, tossed in a tangy cider vinegar and Dijon mustard dressing. Perfect as a light, healthy side dish or a quick lunch option.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 1 small head iceberg lettuce or other lettuce or leafy greens, chopped into big bite size pieces (5 to 6 big handfuls)
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (~125g/4oz) or 2 tomatoes cut into wedges or chunks
  • 1 medium Lebanese/Persian cucumber, sliced (or 1/2 long Telegraph/English cucumber)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and grated using a box grater
  • 1 tsp parsley or chives, very finely chopped (optional)

Dressing

  • 1 tbsp cider vinegar (or any vinegar or lemon juice)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or other neutral oil)
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (or other non-spicy smooth mustard)
  • 1/2 tsp cooking or kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper


Instructions

  1. Dressing: Shake all dressing ingredients together in a jar until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning according to preference — add more oil for creaminess and less tang, or more vinegar for extra tanginess. You can also add a pinch of sugar if you prefer a subtle sweetness.
  2. Toss: Place all the salad ingredients—lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, and parsley or chives—into a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing.
  3. Serve: Transfer the dressed salad into a serving bowl and serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.

Notes

  • Use any leafy greens you prefer or have on hand for variation, such as romaine, spinach, or mixed greens.
  • For added flavor, you can include other fresh herbs like basil or mint along with parsley or chives.
  • If you want a sweeter dressing, add a small pinch of sugar or honey to balance the acidity.
  • This salad is best eaten fresh to maintain crispness of the vegetables.
  • The dressing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.