Iceberg Salad
If you’re craving a fresh, crunchy, and budget-friendly side dish that looks as good as it tastes, this iceberg salad is going to be your new favorite. With its cool, refreshing crunch and vibrant pops of color, this salad is a perfect mix of simple ingredients and big flavor.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 77kcal
Cost: Recipe $5.00 / Serving $0.83
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce ($2.16)
- 1-2 large carrots, shredded ($0.21)
- 1 cucumber, sliced ($0.72)
- tomato, sliced into wedges ($1.43)
- 1-2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, optional ($0.09)
Optional Simple Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.34)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar ($0.04)
- 1 pinch granulated sugar ($0.01)
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry. Wash all vegetables and the lettuce thoroughly. Pat dry or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Chop lettuce. Cut the head of lettuce in half, then into quarters. Slice each quarter again to create bite-sized pieces.
- Prep vegetables. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds, peeling first if desired. Cut the tomato into small wedges. Peel and shred the carrots.
- Assemble salad. Place the chopped lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, tomato, and shredded carrots. Toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds, if using.
- Dress and serve. Add dressing just before serving and toss lightly to coat. To make the simple dressing, whisk all dressing ingredients together until combined.
Notes
Serving Estimates:
- Side salad (1–1.5 cups each) → 8–12 servings
- Main dish salad (2–3 cups each) → 4–6 servings
- Dry lettuce well. Excess water will dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
- Chill for crispness. Refrigerate the prepared vegetables briefly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Dress last minute. Add dressing right before serving to keep everything crisp, especially if prepping ahead.
- Knife tip. Use a sharp knife or tear lettuce by hand to prevent bruising.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2651IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
