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5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Salad — Simple, Bright & Insanely Good! Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 111 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A vibrant and refreshing 5-minute Lemon Parmesan Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, sharp Parmesan cheese, and zesty lemon, tossed with olive oil and a hint of spice. Perfect for a quick, bright side dish packed with flavor and simple ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad Base

  • 3 romaine hearts, washed, dried, and chopped (about 8 cups)
  • 1/2 onion, thinly sliced

Dressing and Toppings

  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, thinly sliced onion, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and extra virgin olive oil. This forms the base of the salad and dressing.
  2. Toss Evenly: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure the lettuce is well coated with the lemon and olive oil dressing, and the flavors begin to meld.
  3. Season to Taste: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning by adding salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes as desired. You can add additional lemon juice for extra brightness if you prefer. Toss again before serving.

Notes

  • Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides better texture and flavor and blends more smoothly with the dressing than pre-packaged versions.
  • Chill the Lettuce: For extra crunch, refrigerate the chopped romaine lettuce for 15-20 minutes before assembling the salad.
  • Adjust the Seasoning: Feel free to tailor the seasoning by adding more lemon juice for brightness or extra Parmesan for richness according to your taste preference.