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Bibb lettuce salad makes the perfect simple side salad for any meal. With a light dijon vinaigrette, chives, and crunchy radishes, it’s a very quick and easy recipe.
Also known as “butter lettuce” or a “Boston lettuce salad” these salad greens are a little softer and lighter in flavor. It’s a wonderful spring side dish that pairs well with salmon, chicken, or quiche.
You’ll love this bibb lettuce salad for a weeknight dinner side or as a base for protein, like these chicken kabobs. This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and brain-healthy.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce – Two to three heads (depending on size) are needed for this recipe. You can find these on their own or in clamshells at the grocery store. They can also be called “Boston lettuce”.
- Chives – Fresh chives work best here.
- Radish – Red radish adds a crunch to this softer salad.
- Olive oil – Use an extra virgin olive oil that is good quality. To check for quality, read the label and make sure all the olives are sourced from one place – Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. A mix usually shows a lower quality.
- Shallot – A small clove of a shallot should be enough for this dressing.
- Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness and helps thicken the dressing.
- Vinegar – Use distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar if not in elimination.
- Dijon – Use one without sulfites, like Annie’s or a house brand. Whole grain mustard would also be good here.
What is Bibb Lettuce?
Butter lettuce is known for it’s soft texture, which is why it is called “butter”. Butterhead lettuce also goes by the name “Boston bibb” or “bibb lettuce”. Pairing it with crunchy items like sliced radish provides a nice contrast in texture.
It’s sold as a whole head in a clear clamshell at the grocery store, so check near the bagged salad area towards the bottom. It also can come without a container in the fresh lettuce area.
Because the leaves are so beautiful and easy to eat, it’s best to tear them at the stem so you can keep the lettuce in tact for serving.
How to Make
Step 1: Wash and dry vegetables
Carefully remove the butter lettuce leaves from the stem. Wash and gently pat dry the butter lettuce leaves. You could also place these in a salad spinner. Do the same with the chives and radish.
Step 2: Make the dijon vinaigrette
Combine the vinegar, dijon mustard, and honey, mixing well. Stir in the shallot, then whisking constantly, whisk in the olive oil till smooth and combined.
Step 3: Dress the salad
You can add the dressing to this bibb lettuce salad two ways. The first is to gently toss the leaves with a few spoonfuls of the vinaigrette, then layer on the chives and radish slices. The second is to prepare the salad all tossed together, then pour the dressing on top or serve on the side!
Substitutions and Additions
- Iceberg or romaine can be substituted for butter lettuce.
- Goat cheese could be added.
- Toasted seeds like pepitas and sunflower seeds would also add a great crunch.
- Honey can be substituted with maple syrup for the dressing.
Shallot Vinaigrette
This shallot vinaigrette is my go-to dressing for all my side salads. With just a touch of honey, the ingredients combine perfectly together in a golden blend that pairs with so many different flavors. It is light and refreshing.
If shallot vinaigrette isn’t your thing, this salad would work well with my ranch dressing or creamy basil dressing. You could also try this curry dressing or Italian vinaigrette to mix things up.
How to Serve
I highly recommend serving this bibb lettuce salad as a side salad, however, it would make a great base for a protein too. Pictured above it’s served with my stuffed pork chops and Boursin potatoes. Here are some of the dishes I love to pair it with:
- Lazy Lasagna
- Stuffed Pork Chops
- Shrimp Stuffed Salmon
- Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta
- Healthy Beef Stroganoff
- For something lighter, I highly recommend Quiche Florentine.
For toppings, try my baked chicken kabobs or beef kabobs, or this seared salmon salad that is paired with butter lettuce and a creamy basil dressing.
Storage Suggestions
This Boston bibb salad is best served as quickly as possible once the dressing has been applied. Here are a few ways to make it ahead:
- Wash and dry the butter lettuce leaves and pack them in a bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture. This can be done 2-3 days ahead.
- The dijon vinaigrette can be made at least 1 week ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Keep the salad and dressing separate until you are ready to eat!
Salad Recipes
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Simple Bibb Lettuce Salad
Ingredients
Butter lettuce salad
- 2-3 heads butter lettuce (or bibb lettuce)
- 1 bunch fresh chives
- 5-6 radish, sliced thin
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Dijon vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 4 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Trim butter lettuce leaves off the stem, keeping them whole and in tact. Wash lettuce and gently pat dry or use a salad spinner.
- Meanwhile combine the vinegar, dijon mustard, and honey, mixing well. Stir in the shallot, then whisking constantly, whisk in the olive oil till smooth and fully combined.
- Gently toss the leaves with 2-3 tablespoons of the dressing, adding more as needed. Spread leaves on a serving platter and top with snipped chives and thin-sliced radish. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
Notes
- Butter lettuce is also known as Boston or bibb lettuce so you can look for all 3 at the grocery store.
- Great additions would be crumbled goat cheese and toasted sunflower seeds or pepitas.
- Fresh chives work best in this recipe, and highly recommend not substituting or omitting them.
- White wine vinegar can also be used if not in elimination.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
