Butter Lettuce Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

I have been making this simple butter lettuce salad recipe on repeat this spring. It's vibrant and full of flavor, with a creamy green goddess dressing and lots of spring vegetables. You'll love how quick and easy it is!

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Hi, hello! Popping in to share this pretty little green goddess salad recipe perfect for this time of year. It's got all my favorite spring produce, including delicate lettuce, sugar snap peas, crisp radish, and cucumber for a crunchy texture.

I toss the vegetables in a creamy avocado green goddess dressing made with fresh herbs and greek yogurt. If you want a heartier meal, I recommend adding some leftover cooked grains, meat, or white beans.

Key Ingredients

• Lettuce/Chicories: The type of lettuce in this salad does matter, and I recommend looking for a light, crisp lettuce or chicory at your grocery store. Butterhead lettuce, like Boston lettuce or Bibb lettuce, is a great option. I like using escarole, too, as it's got a nice flavor and a very mild bitterness. You can also try a mix of 25% watercress and 75% lettuce!
• Cucumber: Persian cucumbers are my favorite. They're small, crisp, and basically seedless.
• Green Goddess Dressing: I love using my avocado goddess dressing recipe featuring yogurt, lemon juice, avocado, tons of herbs, garlic, and a bit of jalapeño. You can use a store-bought dressing as well.

For more tasty salad ideas, try my seared tuna salad with ginger lime dressing, kale caesar salad or tuna caesar salad.

Serving Suggestions

This is a perfect side salad, but you can bulk it up if you'd like it as a main meal.

• Grains: For a standalone meal, you can add some leftover cooked grains to the salad. Barley, farro, and quinoa are all delicious here.
• Protein: Customize this salad as you like. Try adding some cooked salmon, grilled chicken, tuna, or white beans for a vegetarian option.
• If you're hosting a small gathering, you can double or triple the salad and serve alongside some chickpea socca, ricotta gnocchi, shrimp cacciatore, or grilled fish (or chicken).

How to Make This Recipe

This salad could not be easier. Just chop up your vegetables and toss them in a bowl with the dressing. I usually use about 3 tablespoons dressing, but you can use however much you like.

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar snap peas, cucumber, butter lettuce, radishes, and grains/meat (if using).

Step 2: Add olive oil, dressing, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

And voila! The salad is ready for you to enjoy. Enjoy immediately.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a salad spinner. Use a salad spinner to wash and dry the lettuce so it stays nice and crisp.
• Season generously. This salad really benefits from lots of salt and pepper to bring out the flavors.
• Add the dressing just before serving. The dressing is quite thick and creamy, so it can weigh down the ingredients and make the lettuce soggy. You'll want to toss the vegetables with the dressing right before serving, and serve immediately.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Unfortunately, this salad does not make for great leftovers. However, you can easily assemble the components in advance and enjoy throughout the week:

• Prep and chop all of the vegetables, then store in an airtight container for a couple of days. I recommend storing the lettuce in a separate container lined with a paper towel to help absorb excess moisture.
• Store the dressing in its own container.