Whole30 Garden Salad with Croutons

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Whole30 Garden Salad with Croutons—a fresh, nutrient-packed dish perfect for any occasion. Crisp romaine lettuce forms the base, complemented by juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and creamy avocado for a medley of textures and flavors. What sets this salad apart are the zucchini "croutons," oven-baked to golden perfection with a savory blend of garlic powder and paprika. Tossed in a tangy lemon-olive oil dressing, this salad embodies simplicity while being 100% Whole30-compliant, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It’s the ultimate healthy recipe for meal prep, lunch, or dinner. Pair it with your favorite protein for a complete, satisfying meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 1 large Avocado
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 small Zucchini
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Wash and thoroughly dry the zucchini. Cut them into thin, even slices. These will serve as the croutons.

Step 3

In a large bowl, toss the zucchini slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 4

Spread the zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until they are crunchy and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool.

Step 5

While the zucchini is baking, prepare the salad. Chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 6

Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the cucumber and red onion thinly. Add them to the lettuce.

Step 7

Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and dice the flesh. Add it to the bowl.

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 9

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Step 10

Just before serving, sprinkle the baked zucchini croutons on top of the salad.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh Whole30 Garden Salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1581.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	986.8

Total Fat 73.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4232.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.9g	0%
Total Sugars 37.2g
Protein 18.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 356.3mg	0%
Iron 9.0mg	0%
Potassium 3576.9mg	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: 63.0%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 29.8%