How to Prepare an Easy & Delicious Lettuce Salad

Make the best lettuce salad with these simple ingredients

Co-authored by Ashley Crawford

Last Updated: April 29, 2025 References

Sure, fancy salads with all kinds of decadent toppings are nice on occasion, but sometimes you just want a simple, crisp salad. Well, you're in luck. This lettuce salad recipe is super delicious, and it couldn't be easier to make. All you need is lettuce and a few simple ingredients you most likely already have on hand.

Things You Should Know

Separate the lettuce from the stalk and soak it in salt water to clean it. Then, chop it into large chunks and place them in a bowl.
Whisk lemon juice or vinegar with a spoonful of sugar until the dressing has a syrup-like consistency. Then, add a small spoonful of cooking oil.
Pour the dressing onto the lettuce. Add sliced tomatoes or onions to the salad if you desire.

Ingredients

Lettuce
Vinegar or 2 large lemons
Cooking oil
Sugar
Tomatoes and onions (optional)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps

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Separate lettuce from the cluster. If the lettuce is from the garden, then you will need to soak it in salt water or use a drop of bleach to make sure it is properly clean.^{[1]
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Cut the lettuce in whatever size you want, but preferable large cuts on a tray or bowl.^{[2]
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If you are using lemon, then squeeze the lemons into a cup.^{[3]
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Research source} If you are using vinegar, then pour a reasonable amount into a cup.
The amount of sugar should be enough to have a thick syrup-like consistency. Mix it very well that the sugar crystals are not visible.
Mix well.
Mix lightly.
This is optional.

How Do You Make a Simple Salad Dressing?

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Question

What is sprinkled on top of the salad in the last picture?

Community Answer

Parmesan cheese. It's optional, but adds more flavor.

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Question

Can I add balsamic vinegar when making a simple lettuce salad?

Otterly Badgerific

Top Answerer

Certainly, if you like or prefer balsamic vinegar as a dressing, then that is a perfectly fine way to dress a lettuce salad and keep it simple.

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What other than parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on the salad?

Miranda Parisot

Community Answer

Other cheeses include mozzarella, feta, bleu cheese and cheddar. Other toppings include tomato, cucumber, bacon bits, ham, turkey, salami, onion, croutons, beets and chickpeas.

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