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Ultimate Chopped Salad with Easy Lemon Vinaigrette

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A vibrant, hearty chopped salad filled with fresh vegetables, beans, cheese, and crunchy toppings, all tossed in a bright, homemade lemon vinaigrette. Perfect as a main meal or flavorful side.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped
  • 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens, chopped (optional)
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/4 red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded or diced carrots
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
  • 1 cup cooked beans (chickpeas, black beans, or cannellini), rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta, goat cheese, or cotija
  • 1 avocado, diced (add just before serving)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or basil)
  • 1/4 cup croutons, toasted nuts, or pumpkin seeds (for crunch)
  • For the Easy Lemon Vinaigrette:
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp water (optional, to thin)

Instructions

  1. Chop the romaine and optional greens finely. Dice cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, carrots, and celery. Place all in a large salad bowl.
  2. Add beans, crumbled cheese, and herbs. Toss gently to mix.
  3. Whisk together lemon juice, Dijon, honey/maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Add water if needed to thin. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss well to coat evenly.
  5. Fold in avocado and crunchy toppings gently just before serving.
  6. Optional: Let sit 10–15 minutes for flavors to meld, then serve with extra herbs or lemon juice if desired.

Notes

  • Chop vegetables uniformly for best texture and presentation.
  • Add avocado and crunchy toppings just before serving for maximum freshness.
  • Store dressing and salad separately if prepping ahead.
  • Customize with seasonal veggies, grains, or protein to make it a full meal.
  • Dressing keeps in fridge up to 1 week — shake well before use.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/ultimate-chopped-salad-with-easy-lemon-vinaigrette/