Lemon Parmesan Salad

This Lemon Parmesan Salad has only a few ingredients and takes a mere 2 minutes to prep. Crispy lettuce is paired with nutty parmesan and it is everything we love in a simple salad. It tastes like Caesar, but better! Inspired by our foodie friend Erin O’Brien as she shared a similar recipe on her Instagram page, so be sure to give her some love!

What stands out

You’ll love this Lemon Parmesan Salad for its freshness, flavors, and texture. With crisp lettuce, tangy lemon juice, nutty Parmesan, and crunchy croutons seasoned to perfection, this salad is the epitome of a refreshing salad. What’s more, it’s easily customizable to suit your preferences and dietary needs, and could easily become a satisfying and nutritious meal. So straightforward to prepare, yet bursting with flavor this salad is sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen rotation.

How to Prepare Lemon Parmesan Salad

Wash, dry, and chop the lettuce, then place it in a bowl.

Add a pinch of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and finely grated Parmesan cheese to the lettuce.

Cube two slices of bread, season them with salt, dry oregano, and a touch of olive oil.

Bake the seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at 400F (200C) for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. (Alternatively, you can crisp them on the stove over medium heat with a bit more olive oil. This will take about 4-5 minutes, or until golden.)

Toss the croutons with the Lemon Parmesan Salad and enjoy!

Kitchen tip

Be sure to use good quality Parmigiano Reggiano, it should have a stamp on the rind. Please don’t use anything boxed as it will alter the taste completely.

Swaps

Definitely make this salad your own, and don’t forget to let us know in the comments how you do!

1. Instead of or in addition to lettuce, you can use other leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, kale, or mixed greens.
2. Try other types of cheese such as feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar.
3. In addition to bread croutons in your Lemon Parmesan Salad, you can use other crunchy toppings such as roasted nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds), seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds), or crispy roasted chickpeas.
4. Add protein to make it a more substantial meal. Try grilled chicken strips, shrimp, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, or cooked beans like chickpeas or black beans.

Serve it with

• Some crusty bread like our No Knead Peasant Bread
• Grilled meat like our Grilled Chicken Thighs for added protein

Questions

What type of salt do you use?

We use mark Redmond Real Salt, please note that depending on the salt you use, your dish may be less or more salty. Salt is to taste so please always taste and adjust as you cook.

What type of croutons did you use?

We made our own croutons by cubing 2 slices of rye bread, drizzling 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil, sprinkling a touch of salt and dry oregano, and massaging it. Then, bake them in the oven at 400F (200C) for 12-15 min or you could even crisp them up in a pan on the stove with a touch more olive oil.

Do we have to use croutons?

Feel free to use store-bought croutons as well or completely leave them out.

What type of protein could we add to this salad?

You can certainly add your favorite protein, such as grilled chicken or steak.

What is the best way to clean and dry the lettuce?

Wash the lettuce sufficiently, under running water and dry it using a salad spinner or pat it dry with paper towels. Be sure the lettuce is dried well.

What type of Parmesan should we use?

Be sure to use good quality Parmigiano Reggiano, which should have a stamp on the rind. Please try not to use anything boxed as it will alter the taste completely.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

• 3 cups chopped lettuce, any variety is great here. I used 1/2 Romaine and 1/2 Iceberg
• salt, to taste
• ½ tablespoon olive oil, to taste
• 1 lemon, juiced
• ⅓ cup Parmesan, measure with your heart
• ½ cup croutons, optional (homemade or store-bought)

Equipment

• Cutting Board
• Nakiri Knife
• Redmond Real Salt
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups + Spoons

Method

1. Wash, dry, chop the lettuce and add it to a bowl.
2. Add a pinch of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice and finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
3. Cube two slices of bread and season with salt, dry oregano, and drizzle on a touch of olive oil.
4. Bake the croutons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at 400F (200C) for 12-15 minutes until golden> You can also do this in a pan on the stove.
5. Toss them with the salad and enjoy!