Iceberg Lettuce Salad
Published Aug 03, 2026
Iceberg lettuce salad with cucumbers, radishes, and feta in a lemon-garlic dressing. This crisp side salad comes together in about 5 minutes.
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Iceberg lettuce gets written off a lot, but I’ll defend it because nothing else gives me that cold, crisp crunch like a classic iceberg lettuce salad. This salad also works for me because it goes with almost everything, especially anything grilled or Mediterranean. I make a simple light dressing with lemon, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, then I like to add radishes and feta. I can make it in about five minutes. It’s the kind of side salad I throw together when the rest of dinner is already going.
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Recipe testing notes
For the past 10 years, I’ve tested every recipe before sharing it with you! These notes give you a peek into the process of developing this iceberg lettuce salad recipe.
Drying the lettuce turned out to matter more than I gave it credit for. The first time I chopped the iceberg and tossed it in still a little wet, the water thinned out the dressing and it slid right off into the bottom of the bowl. Running it through the salad spinner, or at least patting it really dry, is what let the lemon and olive oil actually stick to the lettuce.
That was my biggest takeaway during the development process.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Iceberg Lettuce Salad Ingredients
- Iceberg lettuce: Remove any brown outer leaves, then chop the lettuce into small bite-sized pieces. Remove the iceberg lettuce core to make chopping easier. Hold the lettuce with the core facing down, gently (but firmly!) slam it down on the counter, then twist out the core. Or, just cut the lettuce into quarters and slice out the core.
- Veggies: Persian cucumbers and radishes add crunch. Slice them thinly so they mix evenly with the lettuce. A sharp knife works great, but a mandoline gives you very even slices if you have one. If you can’t find Persian cucumbers, use 1 English cucumber instead. You can also try halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or chopped celery.
- Feta: I like using a block of feta and crumbling it myself because it usually has a creamier texture than pre-crumbled feta. Goat cheese is a good substitute.
- For the iceberg lettuce salad dressing: Lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, oregano, and salt make a simple vinaigrette. Fresh lemon juice works best. If you don’t have fresh garlic, use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder in place of the 1 grated clove.
How to Make Iceberg Lettuce Salad
These step-by-step photos show exactly how I make iceberg lettuce salad. For the full ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below, or jump straight to the → Iceberg Lettuce Salad Recipe
1. MAKE THE DRESSING
Add the lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, oregano, and salt to a large bowl.
2. WHISK UNTIL COMBINED
Whisk to combine.
3. ADD THE SALAD INGREDIENTS
Pile the chopped iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, and feta cheese right into the bowl with the dressing.
4. TOSS AND SERVE
Gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Serve right away while the lettuce is still crisp.
Full Iceberg Lettuce Salad Recipe
Iceberg Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, oregano, and salt until well combined.
- Add the iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, and feta cheese directly on top of the dressing.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Variations
- Add crunch: Sprinkle on some homemade pita chips, homemade croutons, sunflower seeds, or toasted pine nuts to taste. Add these right before serving so they stay crisp!
- Make it more filling: Toss the salad with shredded chicken, a can of drained and rinsed (and dried) chickpeas, or a hard-boiled egg for more protein.
Serving Ideas
- Serve it with chicken: Iceberg lettuce salad goes so well with Mediterranean Chicken, Cilantro Chicken, or Grilled Dijon Chicken.
- Try a veggie main: To keep the meal vegetarian, serve the iceberg lettuce salad with Grilled Cauliflower Steaks, Veggie Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, or Baked Tofu.
- Add fries on the side: Salad and fries are the perfect combo! Try my Oven Baked French Fries, Za’atar Fries, or Baked Zucchini Fries.
Troubleshooting
This usually happens if the lettuce wasn’t dried well after washing or if the salad sat too long after being dressed. Dry the lettuce thoroughly and toss everything together just before serving. To fix it, drain off the extra liquid, add a handful of fresh chopped iceberg if you have it, and finish with a little more feta or oregano to bring the flavor back
If the lettuce is still damp, the dressing will slide off instead of clinging to the leaves. Use a salad spinner or a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture before assembling.
