Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing, garden-fresh salad with a sweet-tart dressing and crunchy onion topping. This american-inspired salads ready in about 12 minutes pairs mixed greens, cucumber, red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 195 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 195 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp honey in a small bowl until emulsified, then season with a pinch of salt.
  2. Step 2: Toss 4 cups mixed greens, 1 cup diced cucumber, and 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately for optimal crispness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (12 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed greens from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chilled Herb Salad with Crispy Onions?

American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes