The Best Butter Lettuce Salad Recipe
This Butter Lettuce Salad features crisp greens, fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, and a light lemony dressing. Quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect addition to any meal!
I love fancy salads like my Avocado Citrus Salad and Toasted Pine Nut Cherry Salad. However, over the years, this easy butter salad recipe has become one of my favorites.
Its simplicity makes it the perfect way to start almost any meal. Not to mention, this recipe only takes 20 minutes to prepare. As a result, it’s perfect for nights when you want something easy and healthy but don’t have a ton of time in the kitchen.
The light, fresh greens will fill you up without weighing you down. Pair the salad with your favorite main courses for a restaurant-worthy meal that’s perfect for everything from dinner parties to date nights and weeknight meals! No matter how you serve it, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
What Is Butter Lettuce?
Butter lettuce is a type of lettuce that includes Bibb and Boston lettuce. All varieties have smooth, loosely coiled leaves that are typically served with the roots still attached. Unlike other lettuce varieties, butter lettuce has a soft texture and a sweet, mild taste.
Recipe Ingredients
For the Dressing
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This forms the base of the dressing, creating a rich, peppery flavor. Plus, the fats help our bodies absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in the greens!
- Fresh Lemon Juice – The acidity brightens the dressing, balancing some of the heaviness of the fats.
- Honey – For the perfect touch of sweetness. You can substitute pure maple syrup if preferred.
- Kosher Salt and Cracked Black Pepper – Adjust to taste.
For the Salad
- Lettuce – We use a head of butter lettuce and romaine lettuce for a sweet base with a satisfying crunch.
- Fresh Herbs – Dill, Italian parsley, and chives add a bright, herbaceous flavor that makes this recipe incredibly refreshing.
- Pea Shoots – These are the curly leaves of the pea plant. They have a bright, sweet, mild pea taste. Technically optional, they’re highly recommended to take this butter salad to a new level of delicious!
- Parmesan Cheese – For the best results, buy a block of parmesan cheese and use a vegetable peeler to shave it yourself.
- Kosher Salt and Cracked Black Pepper – Adjust to taste.
How to Make The Best Butter Lettuce Salad Recipe
- Prepare the dressing. Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, whisking until smooth.
- Combine the salad ingredients. Add the butter and romaine lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped parsley, dill, and chives followed by the pea shoots, if using.
- Toss. Pour a light coating of the dressing on top, and gently toss to combine and coat the greens. Top with the freshly shaved parmesan, and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? This recipe is best enjoyed right away, especially after it’s dressed. However, you can store the salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to give the dressing a good shake before using it to redistribute the ingredients.
How do I wash butter lettuce? Fill a large bowl or salad spinner with cool water. Then, add the lettuce, and swirl it around to loosen any dirt or debris.
Can I add protein? Absolutely! Feel free to include any protein you like best. Personally, I like to add grilled salmon or chicken, but crispy tofu or tempeh also taste amazing if you want to keep this salad vegetarian-friendly.
How should I serve this recipe? There are endless ways to enjoy this salad! Tuck it inside a wrap with some extra vegetables for a delicious lunch. Top it with your favorite protein, or enjoy it as the perfect side salad with pasta or your favorite main course.
How to Store
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. Store the dressing separately to prevent the lettuce and fresh herbs from wilting.
Option to enjoy this salad recipe in a variety of ways. Tuck it inside of a wrap with some extra vegetables for a delicious lunch. Or try topping it with your favorite protein.
The Best Butter Lettuce Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head butter lettuce, wash, dry and roughly chop
- 1 head romaine lettuce, wash, dry and roughly chop
- ¼ cup dill, fresh, chopped small
- ¼ cup Italian parsley, fresh, chopped small
- 2 tablespoons chives, fresh, chopped small
- 1 handful pea shoots, optional, but reccomended
- 2-4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly shaved
- pinch kosher salt, to taste
- few turns cracked black pepper, to taste
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed, about 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- pinch kosher salt, to taste
- few turns cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
- Combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, honey and kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
Prepare the Salad
- Combine the prepared butter and romaine lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped parsley, dill, and chives. Option to add a handful of pea shoots. Toss with a light coating of dressing and finish with freshly shaved parmesan cheese. Taste and season accordingly. Best enjoyed immediately once dressed. Use as mush of a little dressing as you desire. Extra dressing can be stored in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
3 Comments on “The Best Butter Lettuce Salad Recipe”
This is such a fresh and easy to make salad. I was looking for something beyond the boring bag salads and I am so glad I found this one.