Salad with Dill Dressing

Fresh dill is one of the most underrated herbs. I add it to whatever I can think of, from marinades and scrambled eggs to cocktails (pickle martini, anyone?). Our salad with dill dressing is a great way to highlight this herb and showcase its ability to elevate anything and everything it’s added to.

Crunchy leaf lettuce teams up with a ton of veggies to create a robust, healthy dill salad tied together by an herbaceous dressing. It’s crunchy, creamy, juicy and refreshing. With all those layers of vibrant colors, it’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

The salad is great as written, but you can easily customize the ingredients to make it your own. Swap in different leafy greens, add more vegetables, use other herbs, finish it with toasted nuts for crunch or add feta or goat cheese. Serve it as a healthy side to your favorite potluck recipes or weeknight dinners, or enjoy it on its own for any meal.

Ingredients for Salad with Dill Dressing

• Sour cream: Sour cream is the creamy foundation of our salad dressing, and adds a complementary tang.
• Red wine vinegar: We use red wine vinegar for its sharp, acidic taste. Other types of vinegars, like white vinegar or balsamic vinegar, would contribute a milder or sweeter flavor profile.
• Fresh dill weed: Dill is the star of the show, adding sweet, grassy, citrusy notes to the dressing.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds an earthy, pungent flavor, complementing the zingy vinegar and contrasting with the freshness of the herbs.
• Canola and olive oil: The combination of neutral canola oil and a good-quality olive oil brand gives the dressing a silky smooth texture.
• Lettuce: Of the many different kinds of lettuce, we prefer a mix of romaine and Boston or Bibb lettuce for a nice mix of textures in this salad. It adds a lovely green backdrop for the other vegetables and provides a refreshing crunch. Just make sure you wash the lettuce properly, as head lettuce can have hidden dirt inside the leaves.
• Vegetables: Green bell peppers add grassy notes, radishes bring a unique peppery character, cucumbers add a hydrating crunch and carrots contribute a vibrant color. The recipe also calls for one large tomato, but you can swap in cherry tomatoes (my favorite type of tomatoes for salad). They add little pops of juicy goodness and can be found in various colors.
• Green onions: Salads are one of our favorite ways to use green onions. They add a crisp texture and a pungent flavor that pairs exceptionally well with the sour cream and dill dressing.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dressing

Add the sour cream, red wine vinegar, dill and Dijon mustard to a bowl.

Whisk them together.

Gradually whisk in the canola and olive oils (and salt, if using) until everything is well blended.

Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Assemble the salad

In a large bowl, toss together the romaine, Boston lettuce, green pepper, cucumber, tomato, carrot, green onions and radishes. Refrigerate the salad, covered, until you’re ready to dress and serve it.

Serve the salad with the dressing, stirring to recombine if needed.

Recipe Variations

• Top it with croutons: Homemade croutons can elevate the flavors and textures of this salad by adding a rich, buttery crunch.
• Use a different dressing: This salad is all about the dill dressing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t swap in a creamy Italian dressing for a richer mouthfeel, or a cilantro lime dressing to add a different herby flavor.
• Add a starch: To make this a more filling dish, add grains like quinoa or farro, or grain-like pastas like couscous or orzo.

How to Store Salad with Dill Dressing

Refrigerate the salad and dill dressing in separate airtight containers. It will last for up to four days.

Can you make salad with dill dressing ahead of time?

You can prep the vegetables and make the dill dressing ahead of time, but we suggest keeping them separate until you’re ready to serve the salad. This ensures the salad retains its texture and doesn’t wilt or become soggy.

Salad with Dill Dressing Tips

How do I prevent the greens from wilting after adding the dressing?

For the crunchiest texture, thoroughly dry the greens after washing them, and wait to add the dressing until just before serving the salad. Don’t overdress the salad; use just enough to coat the greens lightly. Dousing them in dressing will only weigh them down and give them a soggy texture.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh to make salad dressing?

Feel free to use dried dill instead of fresh dill when making salad dressing. Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated than their fresh counterparts, so you’ll have to reduce the amount called for in the recipe. We recommend using a third of the specified quantity when doing a fresh to dried herb conversion.

What proteins can I add to salad with dill dressing?

You can pair grilled chicken, baked salmon, roasted turkey breast or crispy bacon with salad with dill dressing. For meatless options, try adding roasted chickpeas, black beans or air-fried tofu.