Lettuce Salad

When we call this salad a simple lettuce salad, we’re not minimizing it in any way. “Elegantly simple” might be a better way to put it, because this six-ingredient salad is full of flavor, with a texture you’ll love.

You’ll also love how easy it is to prepare this salad, which comes together in less than 10 minutes, provided you’ve already cooked your hard-boiled egg. It’s a great light lunch or a starter to a larger meal.

Lettuce Salad Ingredients

• Lettuce: You want a leaf lettuce that is fresh and crisp, ideally butter, iceberg or romaine—or, of course, a blend of greens.
• Hard-boiled egg: It can be easy to overcook hard-boiled eggs. If you cook the egg starting from room temperature, it will take no longer than 9 to 10 minutes for it to be cooked through without becoming rubbery.
• Green onion: The green onion should be sliced, and you’ll want to use two green onions if yours is on the smaller side.
• Mayonnaise: You can use an egg-based or a primarily oil-based mayo for this recipe.
• Cider vinegar: Most brands use the terms cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar interchangeably, so choose either.
• Pepper: Just 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper might not sound like much, but you’ll very much miss it if it’s not included.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the veggies and egg

In a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, egg and onion.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad, then toss the salad to coat it.

Simple Lettuce Salad Variations

• Add thinly sliced carrots: The essence of the salad is simplicity, but the addition of one more veggie will help, not hurt.
• Toss in some croutons: Croutons are a very welcome addition to this salad, adding in their savory flavor and beloved crunch.
• Use a store-bought dressing: If you don’t like the sound of this recipe’s dressing, or if you don’t have the ingredients, it’s fine to use any store-bought dressing you want.

How to Store Lettuce Salad

Once this salad has been dressed, it won’t keep well for more than a day or so. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and plan to consume it within 24 hours. If you think you’ll have leftovers, leave a portion undressed; that will keep in an airtight container for three to four days, as will the dressing, in a separate smaller container.

Lettuce Salad Tips

What else can I add to the salad?

While it’s fine to keep things simple with the salad, some shredded cheddar cheese is always a good addition.

Can I prepare lettuce salad recipes ahead of time?

Absolutely. As long as you keep the salad undressed, you can make it many hours before you plan to eat it, so it’s a great meal to pack as a workday lunch.

Is this a healthy salad?

Very much so! A 1 cup serving has just 150 calories, is very low in sodium and has 4 grams of protein, thanks to the egg.