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Fresh Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad

fresh lemon parmesan lettuce salad - featured image

A light and flavorful salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce tossed with a bright lemon dressing and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a side or a light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • Juice of 2 medium lemons (about 3 tablespoons)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt (sea salt preferred), or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Remove any wilted outer leaves from the romaine heads. Chop the lettuce into roughly 1- to 2-inch pieces. Rinse well under cold water to remove any grit. Spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. In a small bowl, combine fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together. Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly to create a smooth emulsion.
  3. Grate about ½ cup of Parmesan cheese freshly using a microplane or fine grater.
  4. Place the chopped romaine in a large salad bowl. Drizzle the lemon dressing evenly over the lettuce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf without bruising.
  5. Add the grated Parmesan and toss gently again to coat the leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Serve immediately for maximum crunch.

Notes

Dry the lettuce thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Whisk the dressing slowly while adding olive oil to create a smooth emulsion. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture. Toss gently to preserve crunch. Keep dressing separate if preparing ahead and toss just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon salad, Parmesan salad, romaine lettuce, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, light salad, lemon dressing