This Best Simple Side Salad is the ultimate go-to for a fresh, flavorful addition to any meal. It combines crisp romaine or mixed greens with cucumbers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and olives, all tossed in a tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Whether served alongside grilled chicken, pizza, or pasta, this salad is versatile and easy to prepare, making it the perfect accompaniment for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 5 oz container mixed leafy greens or romaine lettuce

• ½ cucumber, sliced and quartered (about ¾ cup)

• ½ – 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ red onion, sliced thin and halved

• ¼ – ½ cup kalamata olives (or black olives)

• ¼ cup crumbled feta (optional, dairy-free if needed)

For the Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• A pinch of garlic powder (to taste)

• A pinch of salt (to taste)

Directions

1. Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the greens, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta.

2. Make the Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt until well combined.

3. Toss the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat the ingredients evenly.

4. Serve: Plate the salad on a flat platter for a beautiful presentation and serve immediately.

Nutrients (per serving, 4-6 servings)

• Calories: 120 kcal

• Fat: 10g

  • Saturated Fat: 1g

  • Monounsaturated Fat: 9g

• Carbohydrates: 8g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 4g

• Protein: 2g

• Sodium: 210mg

This light and fresh salad is perfect for pairing with any main course, and the vinaigrette can be made ahead for convenience.

Why This Side Salad is So Special

The beauty of the Best Simple Side Salad lies in its simplicity. While it contains only a few fresh ingredients, each one contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the salad, creating a balanced and satisfying dish. The mixed greens or romaine lettuce serve as a light and crisp base, providing the perfect foundation for the other ingredients to shine.

Cucumbers bring a refreshing crunch, while the cherry tomatoes add juiciness and a touch of sweetness. The red onions provide a mild sharpness that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients, and the olives introduce a briny depth that enhances the overall flavor profile. The optional feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy component that complements the vinaigrette, although it can be omitted for a dairy-free version of the salad.

The Versatility of the Simple Side Salad

One of the key benefits of this salad is its incredible versatility. It can be paired with nearly any main dish, making it a great addition to a wide variety of meals. Whether you’re having a light lunch, preparing a more substantial dinner, or hosting a gathering, this side salad complements a range of dishes.

For instance, it pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins like chicken, steak, or fish. The freshness of the salad balances out the savory richness of grilled meats, providing a refreshing contrast. It also makes an excellent side for pasta dishes or pizza, as the acidity from the vinaigrette helps to cut through the richness of creamy sauces or cheesy toppings.

If you’re serving a more casual meal, such as sandwiches or burgers, this salad offers a light and crisp counterpart that enhances the meal without overpowering it. The simple yet flavorful ingredients make it an easy choice for any occasion.

The Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

A standout feature of the Best Simple Side Salad is its homemade balsamic vinaigrette. This vinaigrette is easy to whip up with just a few pantry staples: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt. The Dijon mustard provides a slight tang and helps to emulsify the vinaigrette, ensuring that the ingredients blend smoothly together.

Balsamic vinegar brings a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness, while the olive oil adds richness and a smooth texture. The garlic powder and salt round out the flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the vinaigrette without being overpowering. This simple vinaigrette ties all the ingredients in the salad together, giving each bite a burst of tangy flavor that complements the freshness of the vegetables.

Not only is this vinaigrette delicious, but it’s also versatile. You can easily adjust the amount of vinegar, mustard, or garlic powder to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a slightly sweeter dressing, a little honey or maple syrup can be added. This vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, saving you time on busy days.

Tips for Perfecting the Salad

Although the Best Simple Side Salad is incredibly easy to prepare, there are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of the ingredients and create a perfectly balanced salad. First, be sure to slice the vegetables evenly to ensure a uniform texture and consistency in each bite. For example, slice the cucumber thinly to add a crisp bite, and halve the cherry tomatoes to allow their juices to mingle with the other ingredients.

If you’re using red onions, it’s best to slice them thinly and give them a quick soak in cold water for 5-10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will mellow out their sharpness and make them less pungent, resulting in a more balanced flavor.

When making the vinaigrette, be sure to whisk the ingredients well to fully combine them. If you have a small jar, you can add all the ingredients, seal the jar, and shake it vigorously to create a smooth, emulsified dressing. This method works just as well and is even quicker.

For the feta cheese, crumble it over the top of the salad just before serving to avoid it becoming soggy. If you’re preparing the salad in advance, it’s a good idea to keep the cheese separate and add it right before serving to ensure it stays fresh.

Serving Suggestions

The Best Simple Side Salad can be served as a side dish to virtually any main course. For a light lunch, pair it with a simple grilled chicken breast or a piece of salmon. The fresh, crisp vegetables and tangy vinaigrette will provide a satisfying and healthy meal.

If you’re preparing dinner, this salad works well alongside pasta dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo, or a classic marinara. It also makes a fantastic side for pizza, adding a refreshing contrast to the richness of cheese and tomato sauce. For a more casual gathering, serve it alongside burgers or sandwiches for a complete, well-rounded meal.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, this salad can be paired with a grain-based dish like quinoa or couscous, or even topped with chickpeas or roasted vegetables for added protein and flavor.

Nutritional Benefits of the Simple Side Salad

Not only is the Best Simple Side Salad delicious, but it also offers a variety of nutritional benefits. Each serving contains just 120 calories, making it a light and healthy addition to any meal. The salad is rich in healthy fats from the extra virgin olive oil, which provides monounsaturated fats that can help support heart health.

With 2 grams of fiber per serving, this salad contributes to your daily fiber intake, helping with digestion and supporting overall gut health. The vegetables in the salad, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, are naturally low in calories and high in vitamins, making the salad a great choice for anyone looking to add more nutrient-dense foods to their diet.

While the feta adds a small amount of protein (2 grams per serving), this salad can easily be turned into a more substantial meal by adding a source of protein, such as grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu.

Conclusion

The Best Simple Side Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish that complements a wide variety of meals. With its crisp vegetables, tangy balsamic vinaigrette, and customizable ingredients, this salad is both easy to make and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re serving it with grilled meats, pasta, pizza, or sandwiches, it adds the perfect balance of texture and flavor to any meal. Best of all, it can be made in just a few minutes with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. This salad is a great way to introduce more vegetables into your diet while enjoying a light and refreshing side that enhances any meal.