Name: Quick and Easy Parmesan Chopped Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 cups lettuce (green leaf lettuce or romaine); ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced); ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan (plus more for topping); 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tsp grainy Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp maple syrup; juice of ½ a lemon; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper

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This quick and easy Parmesan Chopped Salad is crisp, fresh, and full of flavor! Tossed with a zesty lemon Dijon dressing, this chopped salad makes the perfect side dish or light lunch that comes together in minutes.

Parmesan chopped salad with red onion and a lemon dijon dressing.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Salad Recipe

This chopped salad is fresh, crisp, and full of flavor — the kind of easy salad recipe you’ll want to make again and again. The combination of crunchy lettuce, tangy red onions, and freshly grated Parmesan is simple yet so satisfying. Tossed in a bright and zesty lemon Dijon dressing, it’s the perfect side dish or light meal for any occasion. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights, lunches, or effortless entertaining!

How to Make Parmesan Chopped Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing

Ingredients

Lettuce – I love using green leaf lettuce or romaine for this easy salad recipe. They’re crisp, refreshing, and hold up well when tossed with dressing.
Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion adds the perfect bite and a little color contrast to the salad.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan brings a salty, nutty flavor that ties everything together.
Lemon Dijon Dressing – Made with extra virgin olive oil, grainy Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. It’s bright, tangy, and adds just the right balance of sweetness and spice to the salad.

Kitchen Tools

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Instructions

Start by thinly slicing the red onion and giving the lettuce a quick rough chop. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon Dijon dressing ingredients, then add the red onion slices and let them sit for 5–10 minutes to slightly pickle — this helps mellow their flavor and adds a delicious tang. After that, toss in the chopped lettuce and a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan. Mix everything together until well coated in that zesty dressing, top with a little extra Parmesan, and enjoy!

How to Serve

This Parmesan Chopped Salad is so versatile — it works as a crisp side or a light main dish. Pair it with grilled chicken, steak, salmon, or shrimp for an easy protein-packed meal, or serve it alongside pasta, pizza, or soup for a fresh and flavorful balance.

Here are some recipes that pair perfectly with this salad:

Close up image of parmesan chipped salad with red onion and lemon dijon dressing.

Tips & Substitutions

Lettuce: Swap green leaf or romaine for other sturdy greens like butter lettuce, iceberg, or kale.

Onions: Thinly sliced shallots or another type of onion work well if you don’t have red onions.

Pickling the Onion: Let the red onions sit in the dressing for 5–10 minutes to slightly pickle and mellow the flavor — optional if you’re short on time.

Spice Level: Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat, or reduce them if you prefer a milder salad.