Holiday Lettuce Salad

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

14 servings (1 cup each)

Updated: Sep. 30, 2023
Light with a hint of sweetness, this lettuce salad recipe will make everyone excited to eat their fruits and vegetables. —Bryan Braack, Eldridge, Iowa
Holiday Lettuce Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 10 cups torn romaine
  • 2 medium red apples, cubed
  • 2 medium pears, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 6 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons grated onion
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped lightly salted cashews

Directions

  1. In a salad bowl, combine the first five ingredients.
  2. For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, oil, corn syrup, onion, mustard and salt. Pour over romaine mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cashews.

Lettuce Salad Recipe Tips

Can I swap in any lettuce substitutes?

If you're not a fan of romaine lettuce, you can always try a different type of lettuce like iceberg or butterhead. If you have leftover lettuce, use it up in any of these non-boring lettuce recipes. They'll get you excited about eating lettuce again!

What other toppings can you add to this lettuce salad recipe?

Besides the toppings listed, healthy salad toppings like thinly shredded beets, cooked quinoa, or avocado would be a welcome addition. Check out our best romaine lettuce salad ideas for inspiration.

Can you trade the corn syrup for another sweetener?

Yes, you can trade in the corn syrup for brown rice syrup, granulated sugar or honey. When substituting sugar, add a little at a time and taste as you go to ensure the dressing reaches your preferred level of sweetness. Be sure to check out this sugar alternatives guide for more ideas.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 144 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 134mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.