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Home » side dishes

Easy Lettuce Salad with Fresh Herbs

Modified: Jul 5, 2024 by Lesley · Published: Jul 11, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad and a fork picking up some lettuce.
Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad.
Pinnable image with recipe title and Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad with stems of fresh herbs alongside.
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If there is one salad I make more than any other over the summer months, it's this Easy Lettuce Salad. A garden salad made with fresh lettuce from my own garden and a selection of home grown soft herbs. I dress the salad in a honey mustard dressing which adds just a touch of sweetness to the salad.

Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad with stems of fresh herbs alongside.

This is a simple round lettuce salad, as I love a leafy lettuce and grow a variety in my garden. Lettuce is really easy to grow, I've used round lettuce which is also known as butter or butterhead lettuce. Whatever you call it, its a leafy lettuce with a crunchy stem.

You can use any variety of soft garden herbs in this best lettuce salad recipe. I've used a combination of basil, chives, chive flowers (yes they are edible), dill and parsley. However, feel free to experiment and use the herbs that you enjoy eating.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • How to make Lettuce Salad
  • Recipe ingredients & substitutions
  • Recipe variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Useful hints and tips
  • FAQs
  • Pin the recipe
  • Additional recipe suggestions
  • Easy Lettuce Salad with Fresh Herbs
    • Ingredients
      • Honey Mustard Dressing
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad with stems of fresh herbs and a jar of honey mustard salad dressing alongside.

Why you'll love this recipe

  • The perfect balance of flavours combining the leafy greens and fresh herbs with sour acidity and sweetness in the honey mustard dressing.
  • Ready and on the table in 10 minutes, as long as it takes to wash a lettuce and chop up some herbs.
  • This vegetarian salad is both gluten free and dairy free.

How to make Lettuce Salad

Glass bowl with lettuce leaves and a wooden board with a variety of chopped herbs being added.
  • Break the lettuce into individual leaves, then wash the lettuce and dry. Place the dry leaves into a large bowl.
  • Chop the fresh herbs and add to the bowl along with the lettuce leaves. Toss the herbs through the leaves to distribute evenly.
A jar of honey and mustard salad dressing being added to a glass bowl of lettuce leaves and chopped herbs.
  • Make the salad dressing my placing all the ingredients into a jam jar and seal with a lid. Give the jar a good shake to so that the ingredients meld together, forming the salad dressing. Set aside until ready to dress the salad.
  • Drizzle a little of the honey mustard dressing over the salad and give everything a good toss to coat the leaves. Gradually add a little more salad dressing, tossing each time, until you have dressed the salad to your taste.
  • Check the seasoning and add a touch more salt and/or black pepper if needed. Serve the side salad immediately with your choice of main.

Recipe ingredients & substitutions

Garden salad recipe ingredients.
  • Lettuce: I've use a large round lettuce but this recipe will work with any variety of lettuce.
  • Herbs: Rather than being too prescriptive, I recommend using the herbs that you like to eat. Use soft fresh herbs, eg basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, parsley, tarragon.
  • Honey: I prefer to use runny honey in the salad dressing, as I find it incorporates easier than a sold honey.
  • Mustard: I like to use Dijon or wholegrain mustard in a honey mustard salad dressing. English mustard is a little too hot and would overpower the fresh tasting herbs.
  • Vinegar: I have used apple cider vinegar, but white or red wine vinegar, or sherry vinegar would work equally well.
  • Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in the salad dressing as I like the nutty flavour, but you can also use regular olive oil or a light flavoured oil like sunflower oil.
Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad.

Recipe variations

  • I have made this salad using a round lettuce (also know as a butter or butterhead lettuce). However, you can use any variety of lettuce in this easy garden salad.
  • Add other salad vegetables that you might have in your fridge or growing in your garden, like thinly sliced radishes, spring onions, cucumber, tomatoes.
  • Add a little shaved or finely grated Parmesan cheese, or crumble though some feta cheese.
  • I've used honey to sweeten the salad dressing, but you can swap this for maple or agave syrup, or leave it out altogether.
  • Add a burst of citrus and swap the apple cider vinegar in the salad dressing for some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Serving suggestions

This is a great tasting side salad that you can serve alongside a whole variety of meat, poultry, fish and vegetable based main dishes. Try it with your favourite bowl of pasta, or a slice of pizza. The options are endless.

It also makes a great BBQ side as it can be prepared in minutes, which is ideal when the sun is shining.

Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad and a fork picking up some lettuce.

Useful hints and tips

  1. When it comes to adding salad dressing, I add a little at a time, tossing the dressing through the salad each time, until I have added the right amount of dressing to suit my salad.
  2. Don't be too heavy handed with salad dressing, you want to dress the salad, not have the lettuce swimming in dressing.
  3. Leftover salad dressing can be stored in the jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  4. The salad dressing is Gluten free just check the mustard to ensure there are no gluten based additives.
  5. For vegan diners swap the honey for maple or agave syrup.
  6. Containing no dairy this side dish is suitable for dairy free diners.
  7. Allergy advice: gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soya free and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

FAQs

Which lettuce is good for salad?

You can make salad with any lettuce, it all comes down to personal preference. I have used a round (or butter lettuce) in this salad as I love a leafy lettuce and grow them in the garden. If you prefer more crunch, then iceberg or kos lettuce would be a great alternative.

Can lettuce salad be made ahead?

You can prepare the lettuce earlier in the day, and store it in an airtight container until you are ready to eat. However, this is a salad best served fresh. I recommend chopping the herbs just before serving as you don't want them to wilt. Also only dress the salad just before serving, as the acid in the salad dressing will break down the soft lettuce leaves and soft herbs if left to sit.

Pin the recipe

Pinnable image with recipe title and Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad with stems of fresh herbs alongside.

Additional recipe suggestions

If you like this recipe then try some of my other simple side salad recipes:

  • Easy Bean Salad
  • Juicy Watermelon Feta Salad
  • Spicy Chickpea Salad with Harissa Dressing
  • Fennel & Apple Slaw
  • Sprout Slaw with Apple & Radish
  • Italian Marinated Aubergine
  • Asian Cucumber Salad

If you love salad, head to my Best Salad Recipes post which has all my favourite side and main dish salads in one place.

Black bowl filled with dressed lettuce and chopped herb salad with stems of fresh herbs alongside.

Easy Lettuce Salad with Fresh Herbs

Easy Lettuce Salad with is made with round lettuce and a selection of fresh soft herbs, dressed in a honey mustard dressing which adds a touch of sweetness.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 102kcal
Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

  • 1 round lettuce
  • 1 handful fresh herbs of choice (eg basil, chives, chive flowers, coriander, dill, mint, parsley, tarragon)

Honey Mustard Dressing

  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt & black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Break the lettuce into individual leaves, then wash the lettuce and dry. Place the dry leaves into a large bowl.
  • Chop the fresh herbs and add to the bowl along with the lettuce leaves. Toss the herbs through the leaves to distribute evenly.
  • Make the salad dressing my placing all the ingredients into a jam jar and seal with a lid. Give the jar a good shake to so that the ingredients meld together, forming the salad dressing. Set aside until ready to dress the salad.
  • Drizzle a little of the honey mustard dressing over the salad and give everything a good toss to coat the leaves. Gradually add a little more salad dressing, tossing each time, until you have dressed the salad to your taste.
  • Check the salad for seasoning and add a little salt and/or black pepper if required. Serve the side salad immediately with your choice of main.

Notes

When it comes to adding salad dressing, I add a little at a time, tossing the dressing through the salad each time, until I have added the right amount of dressing to suit my salad.
Don't be too heavy handed with salad dressing, you want to dress the salad, not have the lettuce swimming in dressing.
Save any leftover salad dressing in the jar, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Using this recipe as a base, you can add any other ingredients to the salad, eg thinly sliced radishes, spring onions, cucumber, tomatoes, some finely shredded Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Lettuce Salad with Fresh Herbs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 102 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Sodium 15mg1%
Potassium 20mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.1g0%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 0.1g0%
Vitamin A 209IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Canape, Starter, Side, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine : British
Keyword : best lettuce salad, easy lettuce salad, garden salad, honey mustard dressing, lettuce and herb salad, lettuce salad
Tried this recipe? We'd love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
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Comments

  1. Sisley White - Sew White says

    August 11, 2023 at 5:55 pm

    5 stars
    It's so simple but a classic dish that can't be beaten!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      August 14, 2023 at 2:47 pm

      Thank you Sisley.

      Reply
  2. Cat says

    August 05, 2023 at 8:50 pm

    5 stars
    So simple but the perfect side for so many dishes and the dressing was so delicious!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      August 11, 2023 at 10:25 am

      Thank you Cat, I'm glad you enjoyed the salad.

      Reply
  3. Chloe says

    July 23, 2023 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    Ok so not only was this salad the perfect side to my steak and potatoes but the dressing went all over my plate - to die for!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      July 31, 2023 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you Chloe, I do love a good salad dressing.

      Reply

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Recipe Rating




5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

Hi, I’m Lesley.

I’m the blogger, cook and creator behind Lost in Food.

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