This Butter Lettuce Salad combines tender butterhead lettuce, creamy avocado, crisp radishes and fresh chives, all finished with a bright lemon vinaigrette. It’s an effortless, elegant side that complements weeknight dinners and special meals alike.
I enjoy hearty, ingredient-packed salads, but sometimes the simplest combinations are the most satisfying. This Butter Lettuce Salad is a great example — just a few fresh components come together to create a bright, flavorful side.
The salad relies on four main ingredients: butter lettuce, avocado, radishes and chives. Their contrasting textures and flavors make each bite interesting without needing any complicated steps or unusual pantry items.
The dressing for this salad is a lemon vinaigrette. The citrusy acidity lifts the greens and avocado, making this salad a favorite during spring and summer months.
Because it’s quick to assemble and naturally versatile, this salad works well for busy evenings, potlucks, or served alongside roasted or grilled mains.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- The mix of soft butter lettuce, crunchy radishes and creamy avocado creates a pleasing contrast of texture and flavor. Chives add a mild onion note while lemon vinaigrette brightens every bite.
- Minimal ingredients and fast prep make it ideal for weeknights. The full salad comes together in about 15 minutes.
- Elegant enough for guests but simple enough for everyday meals.
- Highly customizable: swap in your favorite herbs, add toasted nuts or seeds, or use a different vinaigrette to suit your menu.
Recipe ingredients
All ingredients are easy to find. Feel free to adapt amounts or toppings based on what you have on hand.
- Butter lettuce (also called Bibb or Boston lettuce). Very tender with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces rather than slicing to preserve texture.
- Avocado. Adds richness and creaminess — slice or chop and add just before serving to prevent browning.
- Radishes. Use red radishes, watermelon radishes or Easter egg radishes for color and crunch; slice thinly.
- Chives. Finely chopped for a subtle onion flavor; green onions may be substituted if needed.
- Lemon vinaigrette. A simple lemon-based vinaigrette pairs perfectly; use your favorite vinaigrette if you prefer something else.
See the recipe details further below for exact quantities and serving information.
How to make butterhead lettuce salad
This salad is extremely quick to prepare. You can prep components ahead of time, but dress and serve the salad right away for the best texture and color.
Pro tip: Prep the lettuce, slice radishes and chop chives in advance, but add avocado and dressing just before serving.
- Wash and prep the lettuce. Rinse, drain and gently pat dry. Tear leaves into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
- Slice radishes and chop chives. These can be done an hour or two ahead and stored refrigerated.
- Cut the avocado. Slice or cube immediately before serving to avoid discoloration.
- Make the dressing. Whisk or shake a lemon vinaigrette and keep it refrigerated until ready to use. You likely won’t need all of it — dress to taste.
- Assemble and serve. Combine lettuce, radishes, avocado and chives in a bowl, toss gently with enough vinaigrette to coat, and serve immediately.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Butter lettuce is ideal for its tender texture, but spring mix, romaine or other leafy lettuces will work well.
Absolutely. A red wine vinaigrette, Italian-style dressing, or a honey-mustard vinaigrette are all good alternatives.
As a side salad, this recipe serves about 4 people.
Serving suggestions
This salad pairs well with a wide range of mains. It adds brightness to heavier dishes and complements grilled proteins and pasta:
- Serve alongside casseroles or hearty meat dishes to cut through richness.
- Pairs nicely with pasta and lighter cream or tomato-based sauces.
- Works beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, turkey burgers or steak for a fresh contrast.
Recipe notes
- Make-ahead: Prep components ahead, but dress and serve immediately for best texture and color.
- Tear butter lettuce leaves instead of slicing to avoid bruising the delicate leaves.
- Customize by adding fruit, nuts, seeds, or roasted vegetables for extra flavor and texture.
More side salad recipes you’ll love
- Greek horiatiki (traditional village salad)
- Insalata mista
- Massaged kale salad
- Strawberry feta salad
- Baby lettuce salad with raspberries, cranberries and feta
- Mixed berry and arugula salad
- Spring mix salad
Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave feedback and share a photo of your salad.
Butter Lettuce Salad with Avocado
This simple salad features butter lettuce, avocado, radish and chives, finished with lemon vinaigrette. Fresh, fast and versatile.
Servings: 4 • Prep time: 15 mins • Total time: 15 mins
Ingredients
- 1 head butter lettuce, washed, patted dry and torn
- 1 large avocado, chopped
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- Lemon vinaigrette, to taste
Instructions
- Place the torn butter lettuce in a large serving bowl.
- Add the chopped avocado, sliced radishes and chopped chives.
- Prepare lemon vinaigrette and pour the desired amount over the salad. Toss gently to combine, adding only as much dressing as you like.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Pro tip: You may prep lettuce, radishes and chives ahead of time, but dress the salad just before serving.
- Butter lettuce is also known as Bibb or Boston lettuce. It’s very soft and best torn by hand.
- Use any radish variety you prefer for color and crunch.
- Nutrition shown below does not include dressing unless noted.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 87 kcal • Carbohydrates: 5 g • Protein: 2 g • Fat: 7 g • Fiber: 4 g • Potassium: 354 mg
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