Easy Garden Salad Recipe

Nothing says spring quite like a crisp garden salad on the first truly warm day. After a long, gray Ohio winter, the sound of birds and the smell of fresh earth make me crave something cool, crunchy, and straight from the garden. This easy garden salad is the kind of side dish I come back to all season long—it’s simple, colorful, and a great way to use whatever is growing in your backyard (or showing up at the farmer’s market).

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Why You’ll Love This Classic Garden Salad Recipe

This side salad has become a weekly staple at our house for a few simple reasons: it’s fast, flexible, and goes with just about everything. Whether we’re grilling t-bone steak, heating up a batch of Johnny Marzetti, or making air fryer chicken thighs, this salad rounds out the plate with crunch and color.

We grow a few basic veggies and herbs every year: just enough to keep us stocked with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes through late summer. We supplement with cheese, croutons, and seasoning, then grate, slice, and toss everything together into a bowl full of freshness. It’s not fancy, but it’s the kind of salad you’ll want to eat with everything.

Courtney

Salad Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into my ideal garden salad. You can mix and match depending on what you have, but this combo hits all the right notes—crisp, juicy, and satisfying.

vegetables used in garden salad including carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and onion.

Lettuce: Romaine lettuce, little Gem lettuce, and iceberg lettuce give you that classic crunch, while loose leaf adds some soft texture. I often use a store-bought artisan lettuce blend if I’m short on time.
Carrots: Use finely chopped or shredded carrots for a little sweetness and color.
Radishes: Spicy, crisp, and one of the most underrated salad ingredients. A must if you have them.
Mini Cucumbers: Thin-skinned and extra crisp. No peeling required.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, especially if they’re from the garden. Sungold tomatoes are especially sweet and delicious in the summer.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a little sharpness. You can soak them in water for a few minutes if you want to mellow the flavor.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional): If you’re going for that restaurant-style house salad vibe.
Croutons (optional): Adds crunch and helps soak up dressing. You can use store-bought or try these homemade croutons or this air fryer croutons recipe!
Kosher Salt + Fresh Cracked Pepper: Don’t skip this—it brings out the flavor in every bite.
Dressing of Your Choice: Ranch, Italian, vinaigrette… more on that below!

How to Make an Easy Garden Salad

Step 1: Chop all of your ingredients into bite-sized pieces. You don’t want anyone fighting with their salad at dinner. My go-to kitchen knife makes prep easy and quick.

Step 2: Combine everything in a large bowl, saving the croutons and cheese for last if using.

Step 3: Season generously with kosher salt and cracked pepper. This simple step makes a big difference in flavor.

Step 4: Wait to dress your chopped salad until just before serving. Toss gently and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Garden Salad

Use at least two types of lettuce for variety in texture and taste.
Salt the veggies before adding dressing. This trick adds depth and brings out the flavor of all the different veggies.
Make it ahead (but don’t dress it!). You can prep everything a day in advance and store it in an airtight container. Add dressing just before serving to keep things crisp.
Add fresh herbs. In the summer, I love throwing in chopped basil or cilantro for a fresh finish.

bowl of garden salad with ranch dressing poured on top

Salad Dressings for a Classic Garden Salad

You can’t go wrong with ranch dressing or Italian dressing (or even honey mustard dressing!). For a homemade option, try my Easy Homemade Italian Dressing or the lemon vinaigrette recipe in That Good Salad. For a unique twist, try our Orange Vinaigrette or Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing.

When I’m feeling really lazy, I love to just dress garden salads with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a generous drizzle of quality olive oil.

Garden Salad FAQs

What vegetables are in a garden salad?

A traditional garden salad includes lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and sometimes radishes. But really, it’s all about using salad toppings that are fresh and in season.

Can I use bagged lettuce?

Absolutely. Just look for a mix with romaine or iceberg for crunch, and always check freshness before serving.

How long does garden salad last in the fridge?

Undressed salad will stay crisp for about 24 hours if stored in an airtight container. Once dressed, it’s best eaten right away.

This simple garden salad is one of those recipes I never really wrote down, until now. It’s a go-to side dish that works with almost any meal and a great excuse to use up those backyard veggies or market finds. I hope it finds a spot in your regular dinner rotation, too.

Let me know how you make yours! Do you have a secret ingredient or favorite dressing? Drop a comment below or tag me if you give this a try! If you’re looking for another summery side, try my Marinated Skirt Steak with Simple Summer Salad next.

bowl of garden salad with ranch dressing

More Easy Salad Recipes

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