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Top-down view of a fresh Caesar salad with romaine, shaved parmesan, and croutons in a speckled bowl.

Crisp Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad

A vibrant and refreshing side dish featuring crisp romaine lettuce, savory Parmesan cheese, and a bright, zesty lemon vinaigrette. This salad adds a burst of flavor and texture to any meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 heads Romaine Lettuce washed, dried, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly shaved or grated
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion thinly sliced
For the Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice from about 1-2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground, or to taste

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Salad Spinner (optional)
  • Citrus juicer

Method
 

Prepare Salad Ingredients
  1. Thoroughly wash the romaine lettuce heads. Use a salad spinner to remove excess water, or pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. To the bowl with the lettuce, add the halved cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified and creamy.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Pour about three-quarters of the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all the lettuce and vegetables are lightly coated.
  2. Add the shaved or grated Parmesan cheese to the salad. Toss once more lightly.
  3. Taste the salad and add more dressing, salt, or pepper if desired.
  4. Serve the Crisp Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad immediately as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

For extra crispness, chill the washed and dried lettuce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before assembling. The dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; just whisk again before using. For a heartier salad, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas.