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This every day Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad combines fresh, simple ingredients for the yummiest salad to serve with any meal. Mixed greens, red leaf romaine, baby greens, and arugula with homemade ciabatta croutons, toasted sesame seeds, and avocado. All tossed with my lemon sesame vinaigrette. It’s a staple at so many of our dinners!
You might not guess it, but this is the recipe I’m most excited to share this week. I don’t often share such simple salads that are more of a side than a main. But I wanted to have a salad to recommend to enjoy with other recipes, like yesterday’s zucchini pasta! This is the perfect salad to accompany that dish.
I make this for dinner parties, picnics, and oftentimes throughout the week. Essentially, it is my “house salad”.
It’s so simple, but it’s not like many other house-style salads because I shake mine up with the most delicious lemon sesame vinaigrette. It is so good!
This is best served with steak dinners, plates of pasta, BBQs, and anything else that needs a really great green salad!
It’s amazingly adaptable to the greens and herbs you have on hand. Plus, I often top the salad with cherry tomatoes, fresh peach slices, grilled chicken, or steak. There are so many delicious options!
Let’s get into the details
Step 1: make the croutons
I like to start with the croutons. Every salad is made better with crunchy croutons, especially a simple garden-style salad. You need that crunch, CRUNCH.
I love making mine with torn ciabatta, garlic, and flaky sea salt. These croutons are so easy to make, simply toss and crisp in the oven. Homemade vs store-bought croutons are definitely worth a little extra effort.
Step 2: mix the salad
Next, the salad greens. My personal favorite mix of greens is red-leaf romaine, baby gem lettuce, and arugula. Then, I always do the biggest handful of whatever fresh herbs I have on hand: basil, dill, cilantro, and/or parsley. Oh, and a bit of thyme is nice, too.
Then, the croutons, plus so much parmesan and toasted sesame seeds. I like to add the avocado once I’ve tossed the salad with the vinaigrette.
Step 3: the vinaigrette
The vinaigrette is the flavor of this salad. It’s become the salad dressing I make most.
A mix of olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lemon juice, champagne vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Using toasted sesame oil with lemon juice, vinegar, and honey is the most delightful flavor combination.
No one expects it with a lemon dressing, but it’s the secret, I promise!
Step 4: toss
When you’re ready to serve the salad, toss it with the vinaigrette, then add the avocado.
It’s amazing because while it is delicious, it’s also wonderful to prepare ahead of time. Just give everything a toss right before serving.
Not a lot of effort, but such a gorgeous and delicious end result.
This makes a great side salad for any dinner, spring through summer. You can also enjoy it as a meal with some protein like eggs, chicken, or steak. YUM!
And if you’re hosting friends for dinner? Make this Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad, it never disappoints, and it doubles as the prettiest centerpiece for any summer table!
Looking for other summer salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata
Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Lastly, if you make this Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 398 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups torn ciabatta bread
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup mixed fresh herbs: basil, dill, thyme
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 - 2 avocados, cubed or sliced
Lemon Sesame vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- chili flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Toss together the ciabatta, garlic, and a pinch of salt with olive oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until toasted.2. In a large salad bowl, mix the greens, croutons, parmesan, and sesame seeds.3. To make the vinaigrette. Combine all ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake. Taste and adjust as needed.4. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, tossing to combine. Top the salad with avocado. Eat and enjoy!
Absolutley loved it! Delicious and fresh. Full of flavor!! Super Simple. I had several requests for the dressing recipe.
Many thanks.
Hey Kym,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
This was not a very special salad, I personally did not like the sesame oil taste and would change to regular virgin olive oil and add some color by adding a few cherry tomatoes and maybe some pine nuts to replace the sesame seeds.
Hey Karina,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xT
I used Thai basil and dill. Such an amazing flavor combination! Thanks for a great way to use day old bread.
Hey Lauren,
Wonderful! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this salad, thanks for making it! x
Made for a dinner party side and it was a huge hit. Loved it!
Hey Jessica,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
Surprisingly this was a miss for me, the fresh basil with the toasted sesame oil just clashed. Luckily I didn’t dress all of the salad and just made a simple oil and balsamic vinegar dressing and it was better. This is the first recipe of HBH I didn’t keep.
Hey Jan,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xx
Can you use focaccia instead of ciabatta?
Hi Sarah,
Sure, that should work nicely for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Wanting to do this while we’re camping. Can I make the dressing ahead of time? Will it keep for a couple days?
Hey Heather,
Totally, the dressing is good for 2 weeks in the fridge. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I made this with dinner last night. Delicious! We ate the whole thingy! Will be on repeat.
Hey Gebert,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, I am so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! x
You’ve made this often for dinner parties and picnics. Why not share pictures of those gatherings? Not necessary to share snaps of the guests but it’d be great to see the food and decor.
Hey Deb,
Thanks so much for sharing this suggestion, great idea!! Have a great day:) xx
Made this for dinner and we loved it..
Question the herbs you didn’t say, should they be cropped or hold? Please confirm.
Thanks ☺️
Hi Deborah,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) You can chop the herbs. xT
This is my new go to salad – so delicious! I only used maybe 1/3 a cup of herbs and had to sub regular mustard and it was still so great.
Thanks so much, Lindsay!!
Looks fantastic! Thank you for all the delicious food, especially dressings. Can you please share with me where you purchased the salad platter? I’ve been looking for a wooden one for a while.
Thanks so much, Jana!! I don’t have a link for this exact bowl, but here is something similar:
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/carson-medium-acacia-serving-bowl/s146380
I hope this helps! xT
I would love a collection dedicated to your amazing salad dressings!
Hey Shawna,
Thanks so much! You can find a lot of them located here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/essentials/
I hope this helps! xT
Hi, Teighan, any suggestions for another vinegar? I don’t have champagne on hand.
Thanks! And another ask – can you add a button on your recipe page for dressings? Your dressings are always delicious.
You can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Just know champagne vinegar is a bit more mild and less acidic.
Hey Lori,
White wine vinegar would also work nicely for you! Yes, you can find a lot of my dressing recipes located here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/essentials/
I hope this helps! Let me know if you give this salad a try! xT