Ensalada Verde (Fresh Green Salad)

Ensalada verde, is a simple Dominican salad made with cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. It’s lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and dressed with vinegar. The ingredients can be adjusted to suit your taste.

This fresh green salad is served on the same plate as the main dish, but don’t dare call it a garnish! This simple salad is perfect for adding fresh flavor to heavier dishes, like stewed beef, rice and beans — even heavier meals like pastelón (plantain lasagna).

When it comes to island cuisine, the majority of the veggies we eat are cooked, so yeah — fresh green salad is a must with our food.

Why you’ll love this recipe ❤️

• Light and fresh — typically served with heavy dishes, it pairs great with larger meals and well-seasoned foods.
• Simple to make — you don’t need anything fancy to make this salad and you’ll never have a hard time finding the ingredients!
• Adaptable — any islander will recognize this salad. In Portuguese-speaking cultures, it’s just called salada. Every culture has its own version, feel free to serve it however you’re used to.
• It stores well when wrapped in plastic and kept in the refrigerator, just leave off the dressing.

Ingredient notes

There are so many ways to make this salad—feel free to adjust it based on what you’re in the mood for.  Take any ingredients you like from this list and leave whatever you don’t.

• Greens — Dominicans typically include cabbage, but it can also include lettuce. I prefer it with both.
• Tomatoes — sliced thin and laid on top, they can be red or green. Vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes are a few of my favorites. Try to stay away from pale, orange looking ones—they sometimes have a mushy texture and don’t taste as fresh.
• Cucumbers — also sliced thin and laid on top, they add crunch and balance the texture.
• Red onion — adds color and a little tanginess. I like to add beets from time to time.
• White vinegar — used most commonly, but apple cider vinegar can be used too. Make a vinaigrette by mixing it with neutral oil or olive oil and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
• Salt and pepper — to sprinkle on top of the salad.
• Avocado is not listed as an ingredient, but it takes this salad to the next level! It is very common to pair avocado with Dominican food.

Recipe steps

Step 1: Prepare the dressing

Mix the vinegar with oil in a small bowl. Season with oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Shred the cabbage and lettuce

Lay the cut side down and slice into thin shreds using a large knife.

Step 3: Slice the vegetables

Cut the cucumbers and tomatoes into rounds. Slice the onion thinly.

Step 4: Assemble the salad in a bowl

Layer in this order — lettuce, cabbage, then cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions on top. Drizzle with oil, vinegar and serve

Tips and tricks

• Make this salad to suit your tastes — refer to ingredients and substitutions above.
• Prepare ahead by assembling the salad in a bowl, covering it with plastic wrap and storing in the refrigerator. Drizzle with oil and vinegar right before serving.
• It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (if made with lettuce), and up to 3 days (if made with just cabbage).

Serving suggestions

• Drizzle vinegar on top or your favorite type of salad dressing.
• This salad is usually served with a main dish—it’s rarely eaten on its own. Personally, I like it right next to my white rice!
• It’s typically served as part of the traditional Dominican lunch, or with other classic dishes like pastelón, bistec, or carne guisada.
• Add sliced beets or avocado for extra flavor and texture.

FAQ’s

Q: What’s in a traditional Dominican salad?

A: Dominicans eat different types of salads, but the typical ensalada verde is made with cabbage or lettuce (or both), tomatoes, cucumbers, and sometimes red onion or beets.

Q: What kind of dressing do I serve with ensalada verde?

A: Vinegar and oil is the most common dressing for ensalada verde, but feel free to serve it with any dressing you like.

Q: What other types of salad do Dominicans eat?

Besides ensalada verde, Dominicans enjoy several other types of salad, including the popular ensalada Rusa (Russian potato salad), ensalada de coditos (macaroni salad), and ensalada de aguacate (avocado salad).

Other side dishes

• Dominican potato salad (ensalada Rusa)
• Tostones (fried green plantains)
• Platanos maduros fritos (fried sweet plantains)
• Yuca frita (fried yuca)
• Arroz blanco (white rice)
• Habichuelas guisadas (Dominican beans)

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