A green salad a day keeps the doctor away….well, not exactly, but it’s a good start! The best green salad recipes are easy to make and super tasty….and this one has both going for it. Homemade everyday salad dressing on top of a simple green salad can be ready in minutes and everyone will love it….score one for getting the daily greens in painlessly.
This post has been updated from the original published July 30, 2019.
We tried a new restaurant for Mother’s Day…which really wasn’t memorable….but for a super delicious and simple salad. It’s been months and I still think about that salad. Surprisingly, I didn’t photograph it, or the ingredients or even jot down a note in my phone. Big points for me…I think I was actually PRESENT with my family at the time. I went on their website and searched for the caper salad….but alas, it must have been a special that night. No green salad with capers on their menu. At the request of my daughter, I have created my own mixed green salad recipe. It’s quickly become our favorite, and I’m sure it will be one of your favorites too.
Green Salad Ingredients
- Romaine Lettuce: Super low in calories and carbs. Romaine is high in calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. It’s naturally low in sodium, plus it is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate
- Cucumbers: The crunch factor alone makes them worth it. In addition, they help with hydration and fight inflammation. Cucumbers are low in calories but contain many important vitamins and minerals.
- Radish: In addition to providing a nice zing of flavor, radishes offer many health benefits. They can boost immunity, aid in digestion, act as an anti-fugal, help promote weight loss and so much more.
- Capers: Super tangy….which is why I love them. They are rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are also high in sodium—and therefore not recommended if you suffer from high blood pressure.
- Hemp Seeds: High in protein and omega 3s…..and they add a nice vegan crunch.
Salad is such an ambiguous term. The word itself is so generic, and means so many different things to different people. Believe it or not, I think of salad as comfort food. I know, I know…but mac and cheese just doesn’t do it for me. Salad on the other hand…well, let’s just say we are more intimately acquainted. There’s a reason. When I eat salad, especially something like this easy green salad, I know how I will feel afterwards. Salad agrees with me.
I think this particular salad will agree with many. For one thing, it’s super simple to make. With just 5 ingredients, you can pull this green salad recipe together in no time. Especially if you follow my advice and meal prep a batch of my everyday salad dressing in advance. Mixed green salad recipes don’t have to be complicated to be good.
The beauty of this salad is its simplicity. I rarely make a salad that doesn’t absorb whatever I happen to have in the crisper drawer. It took me awhile to fully appreciate what happens when you keep it simple. YOU CAN ACTUALLY TASTE EACH AND EVERY INGREDIENT!! An easy green salad like this is naturally vegan and gluten-free. No need to alter its natural state to fit in with a particular way of eating. It’s a beautiful thing. Like I said earlier…fresh salad is comfort food.
No fuss on the salad, no fuss on the dressing—yet absolutely NO COMPROMISE on taste. This is awesome….because it means you can be eating this salad in NO TIME, and as often as your little heart desires! Yay. No need for mediocre restaurants, bring this one IN HOUSE.
More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Green Salad Recipe with Capers
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce.
- 1-2 Tablespoons capers
- 4 small cucumbers
- 1 bunch radishes
- 2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- Everyday Salad Dressing
Instructions
- Stack romaine and juilienne slice.
- Thinly slice radishes by hand or use a mandoline.
- Cut cucumbers into thin rounds or use a vegetable peeler or mandoline for long strips.
- Mix romaine, cucumbers, radish and capers in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle hemp seeds on top, drizzle with dressing and mix well.
- Taste to see if more dressing is needed. less is more—so it doesn’t get soggy. You can always pass around more dressing as needed.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I’ve been eating a lot of salads recently, they’re perfect for summer. This looks so good, nothing beats a green salad for lunch!
Kelly Anthony
This easy green salad with capers looks like the perfect salad for any occasion and everyone. Great for everyday or serving at your next gathering.
Mary Bostow
What a great combination. I am a huge fan of capers, so will def need to try this out. Great idea! 🙂
Debra Klein
YES….capers for the win!
Debra Klein
Exactly! Easy enough….tasty enough….beautiful enough….for ANYTHING.
Debra Klein
Totally agree.
Julia
I love salads like this one! So fresh and healthy – perfect for summer!
Suzy
We love a good salad any day of the week! My husband went crazy over the capers in this! He loves them!
Debra Klein
I’m right there with him. Capers make a crazy good addition to this simple salad!
Debra Klein
Totally agree!
Susan H
Looks fresh and lovely. New plates? Love the free form edge.
Debra Klein
Thanks……food photography plates, which is why you’ve probably never eaten off them at my house.
Gloria
This looks like a nice, crisp refreshing salad. Perfect for a summer meal on the patio. A great salad for a bbq party too.
Pam Greer
This is exactly the kind of salad I want to be eating this summer! I am all about simple and I agree, it’s so good to be able to taste each ingredient!
Sandra Shaffer
Delicious fresh salad is perfect on its own, but also pairs with any main dish. Those hemp seeds makes my heart happy 🙂 I have a big bag that I’ve only used for breakfast cookies. Now I have another recipe!
Debra Klein
Hemp seeds make my heart happy too….they are awesome sprinkled onto salads and I also use them in bliss balls like these brownie bites.
Debra Klein
Thank you. A great summer salad for sure.
Debra Klein
Exactly. So simple, it can fit into any situation well.
Sean@Diversivore
Love the capers, but I think I might like the hemp hearts just as much. I love a crunchy textural element in a salad – it just does so much to make it a little more interesting. And honestly, while I might not be all the way in ‘salad-as-comfort-food’ territory, I tooootally get the appeal of a well-crafted salad. When everything is balanced nicely (as it is here), it’s really a wonderful dish. Cheers!
Tracy
This is my kind of salad!! What a wonderful recreation from a Mother’s Day memory! So worth being 100% present and not on your phone to take a picture. I can’t wait to make this!
Debra Klein
My kinda salad too….I gravitate towards the salty!
Debra Klein
YES!! You totally get it!
Marisa F Stewart
Your salad is a work of art. It is beautiful!! And I love cooking with capers but I’ve never put them is a salad. Hubby and I eat a salad every single day — won’t he be surprised when I add capers to it too.
Debra Klein
Thank you so much. Because we eat with our eyes first, I like my food to be beautiful….this is a great salad to add to the repertoire. I like to change things up!
Jenni LeBaron
This salad looks so fresh and full of flavor. I love the briny bite from the capers and the hemp seeds must give this some great texture! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Trish Bozeman
What a beautiful salad! I’m loving the hemp seeds, something I would never think to add to a salad. Thanks for the great recipe!
Debra Klein
Hemp seeds are a simple way to add in protein, healthy fats….and CRUNCH!
Trish Bozeman
What a beautiful salad! I’m loving the hemp seeds, something I would never think to add to a salad. Thanks for the great recipe!
Debra Klein
My thoughts exactly…something salty, something crunchy…always a goo choice.
Penny
I e been looking for more salad recipes for a variety.
Debra Klein
This is a good place to start. Very simple…you can add any other veggies you like….and an awesome dressing too.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Oh Debra this sounds so light, healthy and delicious! I love how gorgeous your shots are – they truly make me want to rush out, buy the ingredients and make this tonight!
Debra Klein
Thanks Lori…I really appreciate that comment, I’ve been working on my photography skills.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Delicious and fresh! Love the addition of the capers.
Debra Klein
Right? Capers may be tiny, but they add a powerful flavor punch!
Belqui Ortiz-Millili
I am having my hubby make this for me for lunch tomorrow as I am laid in bed resting and recuperating after surgery. This is just the type of salad I need!
Debra Klein
Aw Belqui……wishing you a full and speedy recovery….and YES…this is EXACTLY what you need….whole real food! XoXo
Nicole
My kind of a salad! Been looking to change things up.
Debra Klein
You’ll love this one….so so simple, yet super delish!
Emily Flint
Such an easy and beautiful salad, this will be a go-to recipe in my house for sure!
Debra Klein
Nothing beats a quick and healthy, delicious salad.
Maggie Unzueta
What a yummy recipe! Can’t make enough salads. 🙂
Debra Klein
Yes…with this heat and humidity salad is the perfect choice.
Sue
I agree that a simple green salad can be comfort food. Love the addition of capers!
Debra Klein
I’m having quite a moment with capers….so so good!
Marina
Fantastic side dish! Love the way you sliced the cucumbers, really make them stand out!
Chef Dennis
What a fresh and delicious salad! Its the perfect time of year to enjoy your salad.
Debra Klein
Exactly! Thanks.
Amy
Love this nice and easy recipe! Would never have thought to use hemp seeds. So good!
Jen Talley
A simple and delicious salad. I loved the dressing too!
Debra Klein
Thank you. No need to always complicate things.
Leslie
What a beautiful, refreshing salad for summertime! Love it!
Loved
Great for summer.
Oscar
Loved this easy green salad, the capers were on point.
Sabrina
This is a great simple and refreshing salad. Love it!
Jessica Formicola
I love capers- how genius to add them to a salad! And I love the way you sliced the cucumbers- so pretty!
Debra Klein
Thanks….I like to have fun with presentation. I love capers too….check out this Caesar Dressing if you love them.
Catherine
Love the addition of capers 🙂
Jamie
I love the addition of hemp seeds and capers!
Sondra Barker
Loved this salad! So simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Elizabeth Flight
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Erica Leigh
I love a good salad, can’t wait to give these flavors a try. Sounds delicious.
Debra Klein
Same…those capers really add some pizazz to the simple greens.
Jeri
This salad is easy but so delicious! Loved the hemp seeds on top!
Andrea White
love how this salad turned out! easy and delicious!
Jerika
Yum! I love this green salad, so delicious and nutritious, perfect! Thanks.:)
Oscar
Looks good, I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Sara Fudge
I love a good simple salad, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint! The addition of capers gives an extra pop of flavor. Delicious!