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homemade salad dressing

Butter Lettuce Salad Recipe

This Butter Lettuce Salad is a fresh, colourful and healthy recipe made with tender butter lettuce, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy radishes, toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a vibrant homemade lemon Dijon dressing. Ready in under 25 minutes, it's the perfect light lunch, side dish or family salad for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine Continental
Servings 6 People
Calories 255 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Salad Bowl – Used to gently combine all the ingredients without crushing the delicate lettuce leaves.
  • 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife For slicing vegetables neatly and safely.
  • 1 Chopping Board Provides a clean, stable surface for preparing ingredients.
  • 3 Measuring Spoons Ensures accurate measurements for the dressing ingredients.
  • 1 Measuring Jug – Helps measure liquids like olive oil and lemon juice accurately.
  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl Perfect for whisking together the homemade dressing.
  • 1 Small Whisk: Combines the dressing until smooth and well emulsified.
  • 1 Salad Spinner – Removes excess water from the lettuce.
  • 2 Salad Tongs – Makes tossing and serving the salad easy while protecting the delicate leaves.
  • 1 Serving Spoon: Helps portion the salad neatly for guests or family meals.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Large Heads Butter Lettuce: The star of the recipe.
  • 250 g Cherry Tomatoes Halved: Adds juicy sweetness, bright colour and freshness.
  • 1 Large Cucumber Thinly Sliced: Provides refreshing crunch and balances.
  • 2 Ripe Avocados Sliced: Adds creamy texture,
  • 6 Radishes Thinly Sliced: Introduces a gentle peppery flavour and attractive colour.
  • ½ Small Red Onion Thinly Sliced: Brings a mild sharpness that complements the delicate lettuce.
  • 60 g Fresh Microgreens or Mixed Salad Cress: Adds extra texture nutrition and beautiful presentation.
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives Chopped: Gives the salad a delicate onion flavour.
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley Chopped: Adds freshness and vibrant green colour.
  • ½ Cup Toasted Almond Flakes: Provides a delicious crunchy texture and nutty flavour.
  • 120 g Crumbled Feta Cheese: Offers creamy saltiness that balances the vegetables perfectly.

For The Homemade Dressing

  • 6 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Creates a smooth rich dressing while adding heart-healthy fats.
  • 3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens every ingredient with fresh citrus flavour.
  • 2 Tablespoons Honey: Adds gentle natural sweetness to balance the acidity.
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing while adding subtle tang.
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Finely Minced: Gives the dressing a wonderful depth of flavour.
  • 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt: Enhances every ingredient.
  • ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and spice.

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare The Butter Lettuce

  • Carefully separate the leaves from the butter lettuce heads.
  • Remove any damaged or wilted outer leaves.
  • Wash the leaves thoroughly under cold running water.
  • Place the leaves in a salad spinner and spin until completely dry.
  • If needed, gently pat dry with kitchen paper.
    • Dry leaves are essential. Excess water will dilute the dressing and stop it from coating every leaf properly.

Step 2: Prepare The Vegetables

  • Slice the cucumber into thin rounds.
  • Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
  • Thinly slice the radishes.
  • Slice the red onion into very fine strips.
  • Chop the fresh parsley.
  • Finely chop the fresh chives.
  • Slice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
  • Arrange all the prepared vegetables separately, so they're ready to assemble.
    • Use a sharp knife for clean slices. Evenly cut vegetables make the Butter Lettuce Salad look more attractive and ensure balanced flavour in every bite.

Step 3: Toast The Almond Flakes

  • Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat.
  • Add the almond flakes.
  • Stir continuously for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
  • Remove immediately and leave to cool.
    • Watch the almonds carefully. They can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in seconds.

Step 4: Make The Homemade Dressing

    In a small mixing bowl, combine:

    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Fresh lemon juice
    • Honey
    • Dijon mustard
    • Minced garlic
    • Sea salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • Whisk for about one minute until the dressing becomes smooth, glossy and well combined.

    Taste and adjust if necessary:

    • Add extra lemon juice for more freshness.
    • Add a little more honey for sweetness.
    • Add another pinch of salt if needed.
      • Allow the dressing to rest for 5 minutes before using. This gives the garlic and mustard time to develop a richer flavour.

    Step 5: Assemble The Butter Lettuce Salad

    • Place the butter lettuce leaves into a large serving bowl.

    Add:

    • Cherry tomatoes
    • Cucumber
    • Radishes
    • Red onion
    • Microgreens
    • Parsley
    • Chives
    • Gently toss everything together using salad tongs.
      • Tip: Never overmix. Butter lettuce is delicate and can bruise easily.
    • Arrange the avocado slices across the top.
    • Crumbled feta cheese

    Step 6: Add The Final Toppings

    • Arrange the avocado slices across the top.

    Sprinkle over:

    • Toasted almond flakes
    • Crumbled feta cheese
    • The different colours and textures create a beautiful presentation.
      • Adding the avocado and feta at the end helps them keep their shape.

    Step 7: Dress The Salad

    • Drizzle the homemade dressing evenly over the salad.
    • Use salad tongs to gently fold the ingredients together.
    • Ensure every leaf is lightly coated without becoming soggy.
      • Dress the Butter Lettuce Salad immediately before serving for the freshest texture.

    Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

    • Transfer the salad to individual serving plates or serve directly from the bowl.
    • Enjoy immediately while the lettuce remains crisp and refreshing.
      • For an elegant finish, garnish with extra parsley, freshly cracked black pepper and a few additional toasted almonds.

    Notes

    • 🥬 Use the freshest butter lettuce available for the best flavour and crisp texture.
    • 💧 Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly before assembling the salad to prevent a watery dressing.
    • 🥑 Slice the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh and prevent browning.
    • 🌰 Toast the almond flakes lightly to enhance their nutty flavour and add extra crunch.
    • 🍋 Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the dressing a brighter, fresher taste than bottled juice.
    • 🧀 Add the feta cheese and dressing just before serving to keep the Butter Lettuce Salad crisp and vibrant.
    • 🥗 Gently toss the salad to avoid bruising the delicate butter lettuce leaves.
    • ❄️ For the best flavour, chill the salad bowl and ingredients for 10–15 minutes before serving.
    • 🌿 Feel free to customise the salad with grilled chicken, prawns, chickpeas or extra seasonal vegetables for a more filling meal.
    • 🍽️ This Butter Lettuce Salad is best enjoyed immediately after dressing for maximum freshness and crunch.
    Keyword Butter Lettuce Salad