Nut-Free Fresh Watercress Salad

Bright, zesty, and delightfully crisp, this Nut-Free Fresh Watercress Salad is the ultimate refreshing addition to your meal rotation. Featuring peppery watercress as its star ingredient, this salad is beautifully complemented by juicy orange segments, crunchy cucumbers, vibrant red bell peppers, and a hint of bite from red onion. Tossed in a simple lemon-honey vinaigrette, it delivers a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors—all in just 15 minutes with zero cooking required! Perfect as a light appetizer or a nutritious side dish, this nut-free salad caters to a variety of dietary preferences while showcasing fresh, wholesome ingredients. Easy, vibrant, and packed with nutrients, it’s a simple way to elevate any table.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups watercress
• 2 medium orange
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 small red onion
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by rinsing the watercress thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or spin it in a salad spinner. Transfer to a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Peel the oranges and remove the white pith. Using a sharp knife, slice the orange into thin rounds or segments, removing any seeds if necessary. Add the orange slices to the salad bowl.

Step 3

Wash the cucumber and cut it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out any seeds, then slice the cucumber into thin half-moons. Add these to the salad bowl.

Step 4

Remove the stem and seeds from the red bell pepper and slice it into thin strips. Add to the salad bowl.

Step 5

Peel and thinly slice the red onion. If you find raw onion too strong, you can soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes then drain before adding to the salad.

Step 6

In a small bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is well emulsified.

Step 7

Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss the salad with large spoons or your hands until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 8

Serve immediately as a refreshing side salad or light main dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(856.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	624.3

Total Fat 43.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 667.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 60.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.1g	0%
Total Sugars 40.1g
Protein 8.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 329.6mg	0%
Iron 2.2mg	0%
Potassium 1571.9mg	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: 58.5%

Protein: 5.3%

Carbs: 36.2%