French Bistro Salad (Bibb Lettuce Salad)

A wooden salad bowl filled with butter lettuce, chives, and fresh herbs.

5 from 1 vote

French Bistro Salad (Bibb Lettuce Salad)

This quintessential salad is all about embracing simplicity. Tender bibb lettuce is lightly dressed with a vibrant vinaigrette and finished with a sprinkle of fresh chives, tarragon, and parsley. It's the perfect compliment to indulgent main courses like French Onion Soup or Steak Frites, or as light and satisfying lunch on its own.

Prep Time20

Course: Salad

Cuisine: French

Servings:

Calories: 194kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

Ingredients

Salad

3 heads bibb (or butter) lettuce
2 tablespoons minced shallot
2 tablespoons minced chives
2 heaping tablespoons parsley or chervil leaves
2 heaping tablespoons tarragon leaves
salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar or lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

Salad

Trim away the root end of each head of lettuce then discard any wilted or blemished outer leaves. Gently peel away the lettuce leaves from the core, wash well in ice water then spin dry in a salad spinner. At this point you can leave the lettuce leaves whole or tear them into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a large salad bowl.
Just before you're ready to serve, toss the prepared lettuce with 2-3 tablespoons of vinaigrette – enough to lightly coat each leaf – as well ass the herbs, shallot and a pinch of salt – toss to combine.
To serve: The salad can be composed individually onto salad plates by placing the largest greenest leaves on the bottom and building the salad up like a flower with the smallest leaves at the top. Alternatively, arrange the salad onto one large platter or serving bowl. Serve right away.

Vinaigrette

In a medium-sized mixing bowl bowl, whisk together the mustard and vinegar. While whisking slowly stream in the olive oil, whisking continuously until all of the oil is incorporated. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Bibb Lettuce: Bibb lettuce is a type of butter lettuce. They can be used interchangeably. Gem lettuce could also be used.
Sherry Vinegar: substitute: red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, lemon juice
Olive Oil: substitute: neutral oil like sunflower or grapeseed

Nutrition