The Best Tossed Green Salad for a Crowd
Sometimes you need just a delicious, basic tossed salad for a crowd! This salad is perfect for a dinner party, summer gathering, or potluck, and it's super easy to make ahead. The simple homemade dressing adds so much fresh flavor and makes it truly special, yet hassle free!
Ingredients
Italian-Style Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt, or more to taste
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped into 1/2" slices or "ribbons"
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced European seedless cucumbers are great
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced (See Note 1) a small yellow onion also works
- 1/2 cup green olives more if you like!
- 1-2 cups croutons
- Parmesan shavings, to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients; set aside. You can also put all of the dressing ingredients in a medium sized jar and shake until everything is combined. Season with more salt, if needed and set aside.
- Wash your lettuce: You can use a salad spinner and pat dry with paper towels. Then add the lettuce to a large salad bowl.
- Add: Top the lettuce with all other ingredients (at this point, you can cover the salad with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 4 hours).
- Finish and serve: When you are ready to serve, add the dressing, a little at a time, and toss the salad with tongs. I usually reserve a little extra dressing to serve on the side.
Notes
CASEY'S TIPS
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- Dressing options: It's nice to give your guests a few dressing options. This recipe is for an Italian-style dressing, but you can whip up this amazing ranch dressing in less than five minutes!
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- Store bought dressing: If you are completely strapped for time, use a great bottled Italian dressing. We love Ken's Steakhouse Light Northern Italian Dressing.
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- Red onion: If you want your red onion to be a little less strong in taste, soak the slices in ice water for about 10-15 minutes while you are getting the other ingredients together. The taste will be a lot more mild.
- Slicing the veggies: Slice all of your veggies in about the same size -- and not too small! Since you are making this salad for a crowd, you want to give guests the option to pick things out (there's always that person, right?!).
Nutrition
Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 7.7gProtein: 1.2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 458mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2.5gCalcium: 18mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!