Fresh and Crunchy Lexingtonian House Salad
This salad is a crunchy, colorful mix of iceberg and romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, radishes, and crispy fried onions. It’s all tossed in a sweet-and-sour house vinaigrette, often featuring a bit of sugar and cider vinegar. Classic, simple, and totally crave-worthy.
Time:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Assemble: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4–6
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
3 radishes, thinly sliced
1/3 cup crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: shredded cheddar cheese or croutons for extra crunch
For the Lexington House Dressing :
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup neutral oil (canola or vegetable oil)
2 tbsp granulated sugar (or honey for a twist)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Make the dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together vinegar, sugar, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste. Chill if desired.
2. Prepare the salad base:
In a large bowl, combine chopped iceberg, romaine, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, radishes, and tomatoes.
3. Assemble and toss:
Add the crispy fried onions right before serving. Drizzle with house dressing and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately for best texture.
Tips & Notes:
Keep lettuce chilled until the last moment for maximum crunch.
You can add grilled chicken or turkey to make it a main dish.
For a twist, substitute the fried onions with toasted pecans or sunflower seeds.
Want a lower sugar version? Use honey or maple syrup in the dressing and reduce to 1 tbsp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between this and a traditional house salad?
A: The Lexington-style house salad has a signature sweet-and-sour cider vinaigrette and always includes crunchy iceberg lettuce and fried onions, which set it apart.
Q: Can I make this salad in advance?
A: Yes—prep all the vegetables and dressing ahead, but don’t toss or add fried onions until just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Q: What protein pairs best with this salad?
A: Grilled chicken, sliced steak, roasted turkey breast, or even seared salmon go wonderfully with this style of salad.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 180
Fat: 13g
Carbs: 13g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 210mg