A refreshing and vibrant side salad can elevate any meal, offering a burst of color and flavor to your dining experience. This simple yet delightful recipe combines crisp mixed greens with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and sharp red onion. The salad is then dressed with a zesty blend of olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice, seasoned with a touch of salt and black pepper. Perfect for any occasion, this salad is both gluten-free and delicious.
While most of the ingredients in this side salad recipe are commonly found in your kitchen, you might need to pick up a few items during your next supermarket visit. Ensure you have fresh mixed greens for the base, which can be a blend of lettuces like romaine, arugula, or spinach. Cherry tomatoes and cucumber are typically available year-round, but make sure they are ripe and firm. If you don't usually stock red onion, it's worth grabbing one for its mild, sweet flavor that complements the salad perfectly. Lastly, ensure you have high-quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice for the dressing.

Ingredients For Side Salad Recipe
Mixed greens: A blend of fresh, leafy greens such as romaine, arugula, or spinach, providing a crisp and nutritious base for the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: Small, sweet tomatoes that add a burst of juicy flavor and vibrant color to the salad.
Cucumber: A refreshing and hydrating vegetable, sliced for a crunchy texture.
Red onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, sweet flavor that adds depth to the salad.
Olive oil: A high-quality oil used to create a smooth and rich dressing.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a zesty and tangy flavor to the dressing.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the salad ingredients and dressing.
Black pepper: Freshly ground to add a subtle heat and depth to the salad.
Technique Tip for This Salad
To enhance the flavor of your mixed greens, try using a variety of lettuces such as arugula, spinach, and romaine. This will add different textures and flavors to your side salad. Additionally, for a more vibrant taste, consider adding a pinch of sugar to the dressing to balance the acidity of the lemon juice.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
mixed greens - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach offers a similar texture and nutritional profile, providing a mild flavor that complements the other salad ingredients.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are slightly sweeter and firmer, making them a great alternative that holds up well in salads.
sliced cucumber - Substitute with zucchini slices: Zucchini has a similar crunch and mild flavor, making it a suitable substitute for cucumber in salads.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and sweeter flavor compared to red onions, adding a subtle onion taste without overpowering the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a neutral flavor and a similar healthy fat profile, making it a great alternative for salad dressings.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, adding a fresh and tangy element to the salad.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt offers a more complex flavor profile and can enhance the taste of the salad without being overly salty.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor and is less visually noticeable, providing a subtle heat to the salad.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salad
How to Store or Freeze This Salad
To keep your side salad fresh and crisp, store it in an airtight container. This will help maintain the vibrant crunch of the mixed greens and the juicy burst of cherry tomatoes.
If you anticipate storing the salad for more than a day, consider keeping the dressing separate. This prevents the mixed greens from wilting under the weight of the olive oil and lemon juice mixture.
For a quick refresh, store the sliced cucumber and red onion in a separate container with a damp paper towel. This keeps them hydrated and crisp, ready to be tossed back into the mix when you're ready to enjoy.
If you need to freeze the salad, it's best to do so without the dressing. The olive oil and lemon juice can be whisked up fresh when you're ready to serve. Freezing the mixed greens might alter their texture, so consider freezing only the cherry tomatoes and cucumber if necessary.
When freezing, use a freezer-safe bag or container. Lay the cherry tomatoes and cucumber in a single layer to prevent clumping. This way, you can easily grab a handful to thaw without defrosting the entire batch.
To thaw, simply move the frozen components to the refrigerator a few hours before serving. This gradual thawing helps retain the natural flavors and textures of the vegetables.
Remember, the side salad is best enjoyed fresh, so aim to prepare just enough to savor in one sitting. But with these tips, you can extend the life of your delightful creation just a little longer.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Embrace the chill: While side salad is typically enjoyed fresh, if you must reheat, consider embracing the chilled nature of the dish. Simply refresh the mixed greens with a splash of cold water and pat them dry. This will revive their crispness without the need for heat.
Warm dressing trick: If you desire a touch of warmth, gently heat the olive oil and lemon juice dressing in a small saucepan over low heat. Drizzle the warm dressing over the salad to add a cozy element without wilting the greens.
Quick sauté: For a unique twist, lightly sauté the cherry tomatoes and red onion in a pan with a hint of olive oil. This will bring out their sweetness and add a warm element to the salad. Toss them back with the mixed greens and cucumber for a delightful contrast.
Microwave caution: If you must use a microwave, place the salad in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on low power for 10-15 seconds, just enough to take the chill off without cooking the vegetables.
Oven warmth: Preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C). Spread the salad on a baking sheet and warm it for a few minutes. This method is gentle and helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Large mixing bowl: Use this to combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, allowing ample space for tossing the salad without spilling.
Small bowl: Ideal for whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create a well-blended dressing.
Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the dressing ingredients, ensuring the oil and lemon juice emulsify properly.
Salad tongs: Handy for tossing the salad with the dressing, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the greens and vegetables.
Measuring cups: Useful for accurately measuring the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber to maintain the right proportions.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to achieve the desired taste balance.
Chef's knife: Perfect for slicing the cucumber and red onion thinly and evenly, enhancing the salad's texture and presentation.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely chopping and slicing the vegetables.
How to Save Time on This Salad
Prep ingredients in advance: Wash and dry the mixed greens, slice the cucumber, and halve the cherry tomatoes the night before. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
Use pre-sliced vegetables: Purchase pre-sliced red onion and cucumber from the store to cut down on prep time.
Make dressing ahead: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper and store in a jar. Shake well before using.
Batch salad assembly: If making for multiple meals, prepare larger quantities and store in separate containers for quick grab-and-go options.

Side Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups Mixed Greens washed and dried
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Cucumber sliced
- 0.5 cup Red Onion thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- 4. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
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