Butter Lettuce Salad with Lemon Chive Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Butter Lettuce Salad with Lemon Chive Dressing is a fresh, crisp dish perfect for light lunches or as a side. The delicate butter lettuce pairs beautifully with crunchy cucumbers and radishes, all brought together by a tangy, herby dressing.

A fresh salad is shown on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. The salad has three layers: the bottom layer is bright green crisp lettuce leaves, the middle layer is thin round slices of cucumber and radish with white centers and red edges, and the top layer is scattered small golden-brown crunchy pieces. There is a shiny golden spoon and black chopsticks resting on the plate’s side, with some radish slices near them. The lighting shows the freshness and vivid colors of the salad. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 head butter lettuce (washed, patted dry, and torn)
  • 3 small cucumbers (thinly sliced)
  • 4 radishes (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup parmesan crisps (or substitute with shaved parmesan)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • ½ lemon (juiced)
  • 3 tbsp chives (finely chopped)
  • Sea salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Make the lemon chive dressing by adding the olive oil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped chives, and sea salt to a small jar with a lid. Shake well until fully combined.
  2. Step 2: Prepare the butter lettuce by washing and drying it thoroughly. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a large serving platter or in a bowl.
  3. Step 3: Thinly slice the radishes using a mandolin. Place the slices in a bowl of cold water to keep them crisp while you prepare the rest of the salad. Dry them well before adding to the platter.
  4. Step 4: Thinly slice the cucumbers with a mandolin and cluster them on the platter alongside the lettuce.
  5. Step 5: Arrange the drained radishes in clusters on the platter.
  6. Step 6: Top the salad with parmesan crisps or shaved parmesan.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle the lemon chive dressing over the salad just before serving and enjoy fresh.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crunch, add toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts to the salad.
  • If you don’t have a mandolin, use a sharp knife to thinly slice the cucumbers and radishes carefully.
  • Substitute chives with fresh green onions or parsley for a different herbal note.

Storage

Store any leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing refrigerated and shake well before using again. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain crispness.

How to Serve

A large white plate with a fresh salad arranged in three main layers: the bottom layer has bright green butter lettuce leaves with a soft texture, the middle layer consists of thinly sliced radishes with a white center and red edges, and thinly sliced cucumbers with pale green centers and darker green skins; the top layer is sprinkled with small, crumbled orange-brown crunchy pieces and chopped green herbs, creating a textured contrast. The salad is lightly dressed with a glossy, green herb vinaigrette visible on the vegetables. A gold spoon and black chopsticks rest on the right side of the plate on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of lettuce for this salad?

Yes, you can substitute butter lettuce with romaine, green leaf, or any tender lettuce you prefer, though the delicate texture of butter lettuce works best.

How can I make the dressing ahead of time?

You can prepare the lemon chive dressing up to 2 days in advance. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge and shake well before drizzling over the salad.

Print
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Butter Lettuce Salad with Lemon Chive Dressing Recipe


  • Author: Jake
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Butter Lettuce Salad with Lemon Chive Dressing is a light and refreshing salad featuring tender butter lettuce, thinly sliced cucumbers and radishes, topped with savory parmesan crisps. The bright lemon chive dressing adds a zesty tang, making it a perfect side dish or starter for any meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 head butter lettuce (washed, patted dry, and torn)
  • 3 small cucumbers (thinly sliced)
  • 4 radishes (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup parmesan crisps (or substitute with shaved parmesan)

Lemon Chive Dressing

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • ½ lemon (juiced)
  • 3 tbsp chives (finely chopped)
  • Sea salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Lemon Chive Dressing: Add the extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped chives, and sea salt into a small jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified.
  2. Prepare Butter Lettuce: Wash the butter lettuce thoroughly and dry it completely using a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to remove excess water. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them onto a large serving platter or bowl.
  3. Slice Radishes: Using a mandolin, thinly slice the radishes. Place the slices into a bowl of cold water to keep them crisp and fresh while preparing the rest of the salad. When ready to assemble, drain and dry the radishes well before adding them to the platter.
  4. Slice Cucumbers: Similarly, use a mandolin to thinly slice the cucumbers. Arrange cucumber slices in clusters across the lettuce on the serving platter.
  5. Assemble Salad: Add the dried radish slices in clusters on top of the lettuce and cucumbers. Scatter parmesan crisps or shaved parmesan evenly over the salad.
  6. Dress and Serve: Drizzle the lemon chive dressing evenly over the salad just before serving to keep the leaves crisp and fresh. Toss gently if desired, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, use shaved parmesan instead of parmesan crisps if the crisps contain animal rennet.
  • If you don’t have a mandolin, use a very sharp knife to slice the cucumbers and radishes thinly.
  • Adjust lemon juice and salt to your taste preference in the dressing.
  • Parmesan crisps can be replaced with toasted nuts or seeds for added crunch.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Butter lettuce salad, lemon chive dressing, fresh cucumber salad, radish salad, parmesan salad, light salad recipe

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