Simple Side Salad with Vinaigrette

Simple Side Salad with Vinaigrette recipe videos

A simple side salad with vinaigrette is a classic, light accompaniment to a main meal, typically consisting of fresh greens like lettuce or spinach, and sometimes additional vegetables like cucumbers or tomatoes, tossed in a tangy oil-and-vinegar dressing. This dish is a staple in Western cuisine, particularly in French and American dining, where it serves as a refreshing palate cleanser. Its simplicity allows the quality of the fresh ingredients to shine through, making it a versatile and popular choice.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This salad is generally low in carbohydrates and protein, with its primary nutritional contribution coming from healthy fats in the vinaigrette's oil and vitamins from the fresh vegetables. A typical serving provides a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like potassium, while containing roughly 100-150 calories per serving depending on the amount of dressing used.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	45 kcal
Protein	1.5 g
Carbs	4 g
Fat	2.5 g
Fiber	1.5 g
Sugar	2 g
Sodium	150 mg
Vitamin A	120 mcg RAE
Vitamin K	70 mcg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Folate	50 mcg
Potassium	200 mg
Manganese	0.3 mg
Iron	0.8 mg
Calcium	30 mg

Per 1 cup (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the vinaigrette dressing is a cornerstone of French cuisine, often considered the mother of all salad dressings, and its simple ratio of oil to vinegar can be endlessly customized. Nutritionally, the fat in the dressing helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from the greens, making the salad more nutritionally effective than plain vegetables.