Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and carrots, sweet green peas, red onion, and cheddar cheese tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s colorful, fresh, crunchy, and perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or an easy side dish.

🛒 Ingredients

Serves: 6–8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes

For the salad

• 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• 1 cup shredded or small cubes of sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup chopped red cabbage
• ½ cup chopped bell pepper
• ¼ cup sliced green onions, optional

For the creamy dressing

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1–2 tablespoons milk, if needed

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables

Wash and thoroughly dry all the vegetables.

Chop the lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, and cabbage. Halve the tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.

If using frozen peas, thaw them completely and pat them dry.

2. Make the creamy dressing

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Lemon juice
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth.

Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk if you prefer a thinner dressing.

3. Assemble the salad

Add the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, peas, cheddar, red onion, carrots, cabbage, and bell pepper to a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables.

Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

4. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Give it one final gentle toss and add a little extra cheddar and freshly cracked black pepper on top.

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⭐ Tips for the Best Garden Salad

• Dry the vegetables well so the dressing doesn’t become watery.
• Use crisp romaine or iceberg lettuce for maximum crunch.
• Thaw and drain the peas completely before adding them.
• Sharp cheddar provides a delicious contrast to the sweet peas and creamy dressing.
• For a make-ahead salad, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving.
• Add the tomatoes shortly before serving if you’re making it several hours ahead.

🥓 Optional Additions

For a heartier version, add:

• Crispy cooked bacon
• Diced boiled eggs
• Grilled chicken
• Cubed ham
• Avocado
• Croutons
• Sunflower seeds

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🌰 Nut & Allergy Information

Contains:

• Milk/dairy: cheddar and sour cream/Greek yogurt
• Egg: mayonnaise commonly contains egg
• Mustard: Dijon mustard

Peanuts: None in the standard recipe.
Tree nuts: None in the standard recipe.

For serious allergies, check the labels of mayonnaise, cheese, dressing ingredients, and other packaged products for allergen and cross-contact information.

Nut-Free

The salad is naturally peanut-free and tree-nut-free as written.

Gluten-Free

The basic salad is naturally gluten-free. If adding croutons or packaged ingredients, verify their labels.

Dairy-Free

Use dairy-free cheese and a dairy-free yogurt/sour-cream alternative.

Egg-Free

Use an egg-free mayonnaise.

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❓ Q&A

Can I make this salad ahead?
Yes. For the best crunch, prepare the vegetables and dressing separately and combine them shortly before serving.

Can I use frozen peas?
Yes. Thaw them completely and drain them well. There’s no need to cook them for this salad.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely. Greek yogurt makes the dressing tangy and creamy.

Can I make the dressing without honey?
Yes. Simply leave it out or use your preferred sweetener.

Can I add bacon?
Definitely. Crispy bacon pairs especially well with the cheddar, peas, and creamy dressing.

Why did my salad become watery?
Excess moisture from cucumbers, tomatoes, or peas can thin the dressing. Dry all vegetables thoroughly and avoid adding the dressing too far in advance.

Can I use ranch dressing instead?
Yes. Ranch dressing makes an easy substitute and works beautifully with the vegetables and cheddar.

Can I add chicken?
Yes. Grilled or roasted chicken turns this into a more substantial meal.

How long does it keep?
Once dressed, it’s best enjoyed the same day or within about 24 hours for the freshest texture. Store covered in the refrigerator.

What can I serve it with?
It’s delicious alongside grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, roasted meats, or baked potatoes.