This simple side salad is my go-to when I want something fresh and easy without overthinking it. Taking just 10 minutes to throw together, it’s the kind of salad that works with basically any meal, making dinner feel balanced and complete. It’s the perfect addition to the table that’s simple enough for weeknights or busy family dinners, and of course still tastes delicious.
When writing the blog posts that accompany the recipes on this website, I often suggest serving a meal alongside a simple side salad. Whether it’s my classic zucchini slice or my favourite dairy free lasagne, adding something green turns any dinner into a fresh, balanced meal.
But what exactly does a simple side salad look like in my house? Making a salad for me can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it really doesn’t have to be. This recipe is where I find the perfect balance of easy but still tasty enough to earn its place on the dinner plate.
It’s exactly what the name suggests. There is nothing elaborate or fancy about it but it does its role perfectly. It works with almost any meal and is ideal for busy weeknights or family dinners as it’s super quick without being boring.
Key Ingredients
This simple side salad recipe is one that can be used as a guide or a starting point and adjusted based on what you like or have on hand. I’ve included my suggestions for easy swaps and substitutions in the notes below.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Greens – my favourite is using a combination of chopped cos lettuce (romaine lettuce) and rocket (arugula) for extra flavour. But often I just grab a bag of mixed salad greens from the supermarket for convenience.
- Cucumber – this is optional but I love cucumber and adding it just gives the salad some extra crunch and volume. You can also add ribbons of carrot, halved cherry tomatoes or some chopped avocado.
- Olive oil – this is the base of your salad dressing so always try and use the best quality olive oil you can afford.
- Red wine vinegar – I love the flavour of this with the salad but you can also use balsamic vinegar, or even lemon juice.
- Dijon mustard – adds a little tang and depth of flavour that just elevates the flavour of the dressing. You can also use seeded mustard or leave it out if you don’t have it.
- Maple syrup – just a little adds some sweetness for balance. You can also use honey if you prefer.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This easy side salad is designed to be simple enough for everyday. It’s not one of those salads that requires a tonne of prep or different ingredients. It’s a quickly throw it together so we can eat situation.
To get started, you will need to just prep your salad ingredients. Wash and chop your lettuce, slice your cucumber and then put it in a bowl with the rocket.
Quickly mix up your dressing, giving it a quick taste to make sure the balance of flavour is to your tastes.
Drizzle the dressing over the greens and give it a quick toss and you’re ready to serve!
💡 Tip! In my house, everyone likes a different amount of dressing. I usually toss the salad lightly, then serve the extra dressing on the side so each person can add more if they like.
Serving Suggestions
This quick and easy side salad pairs beautifully with so many dishes, making it a versatile addition to round out any meal. Here are some ideas:
- Grilled meats – Try it alongside my air fryer chicken breast, air fryer lamb chops or air fryer steak.
- Pasta dishes – Serve alongside creamy pasta dishes like this dairy free mac and cheese or a classic spaghetti bolognese.
- Burgers – add some greens to the plate alongside these easy smash burgers.
- Quiche and fritters – serve it with a slice of dairy free quiche, vegetable fritters or corned beef fritters to make it a full meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can chop the lettuce and cucumber up to a day in advance and keep them in the fridge. For best results, store the dressing separately and toss it through just before serving so the salad stays fresh.
Once dressed, the salad is best eaten straight away. If you think you’ll have leftovers, keep the dressing separate.
This salad is super flexible so you can feel free to customise it based on what you like. Try adding cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, carrot or even some avocado. You could also sprinkle over toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More simple sides:
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
The BEST Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Pumpkin
Air Fryer Broccolini
Simple Side Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 medium cos lettuce chopped
- ½ large continental cucumber sliced
- 1 cup rocket
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the chopped cos lettuce, sliced cucumber, and rocket to a large salad bowl.
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and maple syrup until well combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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