Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad – Bright, Zesty & Ready in 10 Minutes
Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad – a bright, crisp, and incredibly simple salad that comes together in minutes. Fresh romaine and red leaf lettuce are tossed with shallots, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, and lots of finely grated Parmesan cheese. The perfect side salad for any meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 2 hearts of romaine lettuce
- 1 bundle red leaf lettuce
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (optional)
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Chop lettuce, rinse, and drain well. Pat dry thoroughly.
- Add lettuce, shallots, and lemon zest to a large bowl.
- Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss to combine.
- Add parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional), then toss again.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Thoroughly drying the lettuce is crucial – any excess water will prevent the dressing from coating the leaves properly.
- Use a vegetable peeler or Microplane to get finely grated Parmesan that evenly coats every leaf.
- For best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded.
- Add toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch.
- Toss in some fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives for additional freshness.
- This salad does not keep well – serve immediately for the best texture.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon to make it a main course.