If you have 5 minutes you can enjoy a delicious salad. It may be quick and easy to make, but the flavor of this salad is through the roof! Lemon juice, zest, and parmesan cheese add tons of flavor and a creamy touch to simple lettuce and it can be perfectly paired with any protein entree. Simple, zesty, elegant, and with minimal effort!
Ingredients For Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad
- Romaine lettuce
- Red onion
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Salt and pepper
How To Make 5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad
- Make the dressing: whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, zest, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Place the lettuce, grated parmesan cheese, sliced red onion, and red pepper flakes in a salad bowl.
Drizzle the dressing on top and toss until all the ingredients are well covered with dressing.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead Of Time?
You can prepare the salad components and make the dressing, but mix them up until you are ready to serve to prevent the lettuce leaves from wilting.

5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad
Equipment
- Salad bowl
- Knife and cutting board
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)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice and zest of two lemons
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, zest, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Place the lettuce, grated parmesan cheese, sliced red onion, and red pepper flakes in a salad bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing on top and toss until all the ingredients are well covered with dressing.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions about Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad
1. Can I Use Different Types Of Lettuce?
The more the merrier! Start with a Romaine base, and add Red Leaf, Frisee, Belgian endive, arugula, or your favorite lettuce!
2. What If I Don’t Have A Salad Spinner?
You can pat the washed lettuce leaves with paper towels, and if you want it extra crispy, wrap the leaves in damp paper towels and refrigerate for a few minutes. You can also buy pre-washed lettuce.
3. Is There A Substitute For Parmesan Cheese?
You can use any hard, aged cheese like Pecorino Romano or Asiago. If you want a vegan option, sprinkle a little nutritional yeast over the lettuce leaves.
4. How Can I Make This Salad A Full Meal?
Serve it alongside the protein of your choice like grilled chicken, fish, steak, or hard-boiled eggs. You can also sprinkle some croutons, nuts, or seeds on top.
5. Can I Use A Different Oil?
While extra virgin olive oil is the best option, you can use another healthy option like avocado oil.
6. How Do I Prevent The Salad From Being Too Salty?
When making the dressing, don’t add too much salt. Remember that parmesan cheese is a bit salty as well. It’s better having to add more salt after you toss the salad than it being too salty from the beginning!
7. What If I Don’t Like Spicy Food?
They omit the red pepper flakes or use a smaller amount. Aleppo pepper is a milder alternative that still adds tons of flavor.
Lucy
Sunday 19th of January 2025