Go Back
healthy lunch ideas

Classic Garden Salad Recipe

This Classic Garden Salad is a fresh, colourful and nutritious dish made with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, sweet peppers, carrots and a simple homemade dressing. Quick to prepare in just 20 minutes, it's the perfect healthy side dish or light meal for family dinners, barbecues, picnics and meal prep. Fresh, flavourful and incredibly easy to customise, this vibrant salad is a delicious way to enjoy more vegetables every day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Continental
Servings 6
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl Essential for combining all the vegetables without crushing the delicate lettuce leaves.
  • 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Makes slicing vegetables easier while ensuring clean, even cuts.
  • 1 Chopping Board Provides a stable, hygienic surface for safely preparing every ingredient.
  • 3 Measuring Spoons Helps achieve perfectly balanced dressing every time.
  • 1 Measuring Jug – Useful for measuring olive oil and lemon juice accurately.
  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl Ideal for whisking together the homemade salad dressing before adding it to the vegetables.
  • 1 Balloon Whisk or Fork: Helps blend the dressing until smooth and well combined.
  • 2 Large Salad Servers: Makes tossing and serving the Classic Garden Salad simple while keeping the vegetables crisp and intact.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Large Cos Lettuces-Romaine, Chopped: The heart of every Classic Garden Salad. Crisp, refreshing and packed with vitamins A and K, lettuce provides the perfect crunchy base.
  • 1 Large Cucumber Sliced: Adds cooling freshness and a satisfying crunch while keeping the salad light and hydrating.
  • 300 g Cherry Tomatoes Halved: Sweet, juicy tomatoes brighten the salad with natural sweetness and vibrant colour.
  • 1 Small Red Onion Thinly Sliced: Provides a gentle sharpness that beautifully balances the vegetables' sweetness.
  • 1 Large Yellow Pepper Thinly Sliced: Adds sweetness, colour and plenty of vitamin C.
  • 1 Large Red Pepper Thinly Sliced: Brings beautiful colour, crisp texture and natural sweetness to every serving.
  • 2 Medium Carrots Julienned or Grated: Carrots contribute natural sweetness, crunch, and are an excellent source of beta-carotene.
  • 150 g Sweetcorn Kernels: Sweetcorn provides little bursts of sweetness and additional texture.
  • 100 g Black Olives Optional: Their rich, savoury flavour complements the fresh vegetables perfectly.
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley Finely Chopped: Adds freshness, colour and a subtle herbaceous flavour.

For The Homemade Dressing

  • 5 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Creates a silky rich base while providing heart-healthy fats.
  • 3 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens every ingredient with refreshing acidity.
  • 1 tbsp Honey: Balances acidity with gentle natural sweetness.
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced: Adds aromatic depth and bold flavour.
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing while adding subtle tanginess.
  • 1 tbsp Sea Salt: Enhances the natural flavours of every ingredient.
  • ½ tbsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and complements the vegetables perfectly.
  • 1 tbsp Dried Oregano: Adds a delicious Mediterranean-inspired flavour to the dressing.

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare The Vegetables

  • Wash all the vegetables thoroughly under cold running water.
  • Dry the lettuce completely using a salad spinner or a clean kitchen towel. Dry leaves help the dressing cling better and keep your **Classic Garden Salad crisp.
  • Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
  • Slice the cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons.
  • Halve the cherry tomatoes.
  • Thinly slice the red onion and both peppers.
  • Julienne or grate the carrots.
  • Drain the sweetcorn and olives if using.
    • Keeping all the vegetables roughly the same size makes every mouthful balanced and enjoyable.

Step 2: Chill The Ingredients

  • Place all the prepared vegetables in the refrigerator for about 10–15 minutes.
  • Chilling helps maintain the crisp texture and creates an extra-refreshing **Classic Garden Salad.

Step 3: Prepare 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
    • Dried oregano
    • Whisk vigorously for about one minute until the dressing becomes smooth and slightly creamy.
    • The mustard helps bind the oil and lemon juice together, creating a silky dressing that coats every vegetable beautifully.

    Step 4: Assemble The Salad

    • Place the chopped lettuce into a large mixing bowl.
    • Add the cucumber.
    • Add the cherry tomatoes.
    • Add the sliced peppers.
    • Add the grated carrots.
    • Add the sweetcorn.
    • Add the olives if using.
    • Sprinkle over the chopped parsley.

    Step 5: Dress The Salad

    • Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the vegetables.
    • Using large salad servers, gently fold everything together.
    • Avoid vigorous stirring, which can bruise the lettuce.
      • Only add enough dressing to lightly coat every ingredient.

    Step 6: Taste And Adjust

    • Taste the Classic Garden Salad and adjust if needed.

    You may wish to add:

    • A little extra lemon juice for brightness.
    • A pinch of sea salt to enhance flavour.
    • More black pepper for gentle warmth.
    • A drizzle of olive oil for a richer finish.
    • Season gradually so the fresh vegetables remain the stars of the dish.

    Step 7: Serve Immediately

    • Transfer the salad to a large serving platter or individual bowls.
    • For the freshest texture and brightest flavour, serve immediately after tossing with the dressing.

    Finish with:

    • Extra chopped parsley
    • Freshly cracked black pepper
    • Lemon wedges on the side

    Notes

    • 🥗 Use Fresh Ingredients: The best Classic Garden Salad starts with fresh, crisp vegetables. Choose vibrant lettuce, firm cucumbers and ripe tomatoes for maximum flavour and crunch.
    • 🥣 Dress Just Before Serving: Toss the salad with the dressing immediately before serving to keep the lettuce crisp and prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy.
    • 🍋 Adjust The Dressing To Taste: Feel free to add extra lemon juice for more zing, a little more honey for sweetness or extra black pepper for a gentle kick.
    • ❄️ Chill Before Serving: Refrigerating the prepared vegetables for 10–15 minutes before assembling makes the salad extra refreshing, especially during warm weather.
    • 🌿 Customise With Your Favourite Ingredients: Add avocado, feta cheese, boiled eggs, grilled chicken, chickpeas, nuts or seeds to make the salad even more filling and nutritious.
    • 🧂 Season Gradually: Add salt and pepper a little at a time, tasting as you go, so the fresh flavours of the vegetables remain balanced.
    • 🥬 Dry The Lettuce Thoroughly: Excess moisture can water down the dressing. Pat the lettuce dry or use a salad spinner before assembling.
    • 📦 Perfect For Meal Prep: Prepare and store the vegetables and dressing separately in the refrigerator. Combine them only when you're ready to serve for the freshest results.
    • 🍽️ Serve Fresh For Best Results: While leftovers can be refrigerated, Classic Garden Salad is at its crispiest and most flavourful when enjoyed immediately after tossing with the dressing.
    • 💚 Make It Your Own: This versatile recipe is easy to adapt with seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs or your favourite protein, making it perfect for any occasion.
    Keyword Classic Garden Salad