Enjoy this TOSSED SALAD with its sensational feel-good crunch in every bite, drizzled with your favorite salad dressing or with any of my simple and no added preservatives homemade dressing recipes. Making this salad is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
One of the reasons why I enjoy summer is because I can fully enjoy easy salad recipes like this Tossed Salad recipe. This salad recipe is so good, it might be your gateway to a healthier lifestyle. You could even easily grow almost all of the ingredients in your garden if you want to make sure that your tossed salad is the freshest one on the block.
And the best part about it is that it involves more “fun” than you could ever hope for in a salad. It’ll pain you to realize that salad making is simply amazing compared to cooking. Okay… those were my husband’s words coz we both know how much I love to cook. But nevertheless, it’s always refreshing to share more salad ideas with you guys now that’s already too hot to turn on the oven. Welcome to summer!
Salad Ingredients
Farm-to-table dining has been an emerging trend for restaurants. But for home cooks, such as you and I, we usually get our fresh produce down the aisle in a supermarket. There is nothing wrong with store-bought veggies, you just need to know how to prepare them correctly. For this tossed salad recipe, we will need just some healthy and wholesome ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery stores and a few other flavor boosters if you want to (yeah, I’m talking about bacon..sssshhh).
Now, what do we get from eating this simple green salad?
Romaine Lettuce
Our green buddy here packs a lot of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium that helps fight the signs of aging. Talk about a natural glow.
Grape Tomatoes
These little red fruits are packed with Vitamin C (a must-have especially during these times) for your immune system and lycopene for your heart health. You’ll never get your heart broken by these tomatoes.😉
Cucumber
You’d know cucumber is fresh when you hear the crunch. It’s easily considered as one of the coolest vegetables both figuratively and literally. It’s high in antioxidants that cleanse your body, making you feel hydrated because it’s about 90% water, not to mention that it’s fun to eat (Are you hearing that crisp crunch?)
Red onion
Although it isn’t the friendliest of them all coz it’ll make you cry, onions are actually good for you. They are nutrient-dense, which means they are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. But the best benefit for this little bulb is that it helps in lowering blood sugar.
Carrots
These nutritious sticks come in a variety of colors which is why it’s a good ingredient for plating and decorating. But aside from that, these carrots are most popularly known to give a good amount of vitamin A that promotes good eyesight.
The Radish, bacon, and Avocado
Here’s the best part. Radish and avocado are actually optional but they do pack a lot of antioxidants. And bacon, oh bacon! Who could resist bacon? Just thinking about it is mouthwatering.
What Else Can You Add?
Aside from the crowd-favorite bacon, you may also take this humble yet nutritious salad up a notch by adding these ones below.
- bell pepper
- olives
- berries
- diced pineapples
- toasted nuts
- goat or feta cheese
- homemade croutons
- sunflower or flax seeds
- Brussel sprouts
- tortilla strips
See how crazy easy it is? Oh, the possibilities are endless! This is the kind of recipe that you’d prepare when you’re cleaning up your fridge. Very versatile and forgiving!
What Kind of Dressing Pairs Well with a Tossed Salad?
A simple vinaigrette with a dash of salt and pepper would actually do the trick. But why settle for less when you can toss this salad with the best tasting salad dressings here on the blog? You can start with yesterday’s Honey Mustard Dressing or a Thousand Island Dressing (recipe coming up tomorrow😉).
Other than those two, you can also try my Blue Cheese Dressing or Homemade Ranch Dressing. Amaze-balls!
Shelf Life and Storage
I would recommend you to consume this salad immediately, but if you can’t, you can store it openly in a dry and chilled fridge. Enclosed cases trap moisture, and too much moisture makes the veggies go bad.
Also, make sure that the veggies are not too clumped up because too much pressure also makes the greens go dark and soggy, you wouldn’t want that. If stored properly, this Tossed Salad will still be good for about a day or two.
More Easy Salad Recipes
Trying to eat light and healthy this summer season? Don’t worry, I got your back with these amazing and flavorful best salad recipes.
How To Toss a Salad
In a large salad bowl, layer romaine lettuce, followed by tomatoes, cucumber, onion, carrots, radish, and optional ingredients. Drizzle desired dressing on the salad, toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Tossed Salad
Ingredients
- 2 heart romaine lettuce, , wash dried and chopped
- 1 cup or more grape tomatoes , sliced
- 2 cups diced cucumber , seeded and sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 1 carrot , peeled and shredded
- ½ cup sliced radish (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped bacon (optional)
- 1 avocado pitted and sliced or diced (optional)
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, layer romaine lettuce, followed by tomatoes, cucumber, onion, carrots, radish, and optional ingredients.
- Drizzle desired dressing on the salad, toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes:
- Calories per serving listed below is for 1/2 cup of salad without dressing.
- The best dressings you can serve with this salad recipe are Honey Mustard Dressing, Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranch Dressing, and Thousand Island Dressing.
Nutrition Information:
Jack says
Imma, I think your great! Please continue with the wonderful recipes.
imma africanbites says
Thank you so much, Jack. I appreciate it! <3