Baby Gem Lettuce Salad

Name: Baby Gem Lettuce Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 3 baby gem lettuces, also called little gem lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; or use grape tomatoes or 2 regular tomatoes cut into bite-size pieces; ½ eschalot, also called shallot in the US, finely diced; 1½ tbsp chives, finely chopped; 1 quantity Creamy French Dressing; 1 cup white bread, such as baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough, cut into 1 cm / 0.4-inch cubes; preferably stale; 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; pinch cooking salt, or kosher salt

Baby gem lettuce salad with creamy dressing, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and chopped chives in a serving bowl. — Baby gem lettuce salad with tomatoes, croutons, chives, and creamy dressing.

Crisp baby gem lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy croutons, chives, and eschalot tossed with creamy French dressing.

By Cookin' KitchenOctober 1, 2026Updated October 19, 2026

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Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

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Recipe

Baby Gem Lettuce Salad

Crisp baby gem lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy croutons, chives, and eschalot tossed with creamy French dressing.

Cookin' · https://cookin.club/recipes/baby-gem-lettuce-salad

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

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Ingredients

4 servings

For 4 servings

Salad

3 baby gem lettuces, also called little gem lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; or use grape tomatoes or 2 regular tomatoes cut into bite-size pieces
½ eschalot, also called shallot in the US, finely diced
1½ tbsp chives, finely chopped
1 quantity Creamy French Dressing

Croutons

1 cup white bread, such as baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough, cut into 1 cm / 0.4-inch cubes; preferably stale
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch cooking salt, or kosher salt

Equipment

Oven
Baking tray
Large bowl
Serving bowl or platter

Instructions

Croutons

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C fan-forced).
Step 2: Toss the bread with the oil and salt. Spread it on a tray and bake for 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Step 3: Cool the croutons on the tray before using.
Tip: They keep for weeks in an airtight container in the pantry.

Salad

Step 4: Place all the lettuce leaves in a large bowl.
Step 5: Add half of the tomatoes, croutons, chives, and eschalot. Drizzle with half the dressing, then gently toss with your hands.
Step 6: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or pile it on a platter. Scatter the remaining tomatoes, croutons, chives, and eschalot over the top, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve.

Notes

Ingredient and make-ahead notes

Eschalot is also called shallot in the US. If needed, substitute 2 tablespoons of very finely chopped red onion or green onion.

Crusty bread such as baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough makes sturdy croutons. Keep the crust on; white sandwich bread softens more quickly when it meets the dressing or juicy tomatoes.

To make ahead, prepare the components and keep them separate. Assemble the salad just before serving, since dressed lettuce softens quickly.

About this recipe

Crisp baby gem lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy croutons, chives, and finely chopped eschalot come together with creamy French dressing in this fresh side salad.

For a colorful finish, toss the salad with half the toppings and dressing first, then scatter the rest over the top.

Creamy dressing being poured over lettuce, tomatoes, and croutons. — Creamy dressing poured over the salad.

Baby Gem Lettuce Salad