Heart-Healthy Classic Garden Salad with Shredded Cheese and Homemade Dressing

Bright, fresh, and bursting with wholesome goodness, this Heart-Healthy Classic Garden Salad with Shredded Cheese and Homemade Dressing is a deliciously simple way to prioritize wellness without sacrificing flavor. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and a medley of vibrant veggies like carrots, red bell peppers, and radishes, this salad is a nutrient powerhouse. The creamy, low-fat shredded cheddar cheese adds a touch of indulgence, while the zesty homemade dressing—made with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard—ties it all together with just the right balance of tang and sweetness. Ready in just 20 minutes and perfect for any occasion, this salad is an easy, go-to side dish or light meal that’s both satisfying and heart-smart.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 2 medium Carrots
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 4 small Radishes
• 0.5 cup Shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Start by washing all your vegetables thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towels.

Step 2

Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.

Step 3

Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl with the lettuce.

Step 4

Peel the cucumber if desired, slice it thinly, and add to the salad bowl.

Step 5

Peel and grate the carrots with a box grater or slice them thinly into matchsticks and add to the bowl.

Step 6

Cut the red bell pepper into thin strips and add them to the mixture.

Step 7

Thinly slice the radishes and add them to the other vegetables.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded low-fat cheddar cheese over the top of the salad.

Step 9

For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined.

Step 10

Mince the garlic clove finely and stir it into the dressing.

Step 11

Season the dressing with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 12

Pour the homemade dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss the salad gently to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.

Step 13

Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy classic garden salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1389.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	815.4

Total Fat 55.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 30mg	0%
Sodium 2323.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 64.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.6g	0%
Total Sugars 31.5g
Protein 29.8g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 735.4mg	0%
Iron 7.7mg	0%
Potassium 2655.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.0%

Protein: 13.7%

Carbs: 29.3%