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Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad Recipe

4.9 from 64 reviews

This Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad is a fresh, zesty, and flavorful dish featuring crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with a tangy lemon dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. It’s a quick and easy salad perfect as a starter or side for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 large bag pre-washed Romaine lettuce (about 6 cups), chopped
  • ¼ cup thin-sliced red onion
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)

Dressing Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice and zest of two lemons
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, honey, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well combined and emulsified.
  2. Prepare the salad base: Place the chopped Romaine lettuce, grated Parmesan cheese, thin-sliced red onion, and crushed red pepper flakes into a large salad bowl.
  3. Toss the salad: Drizzle the lemon dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor in the dressing.
  • The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat; adjust the quantity to your preference or omit for a milder salad.
  • This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or seafood for a light meal.
  • To make this salad vegan, substitute the Parmesan cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • For extra crunch, consider adding toasted pine nuts or croutons.

Keywords: lemon parmesan salad, romaine lettuce salad, easy salad recipe, fresh lemon dressing, parmesan cheese salad