Best 6 Simple Watercress Salad Recipes

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**Watercress Salad: A Refreshing and Nutritious Treat**

Watercress salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light lunch or a healthy side dish. Made with fresh watercress, a peppery and slightly bitter green, this salad is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The zesty lemon-tahini dressing adds a bright and tangy flavor, while the addition of crunchy nuts and seeds provides a satisfying texture. This recipe also includes variations for a creamy avocado dressing and a simple vinaigrette, allowing you to customize the salad to your preference. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a vibrant addition to your next party spread, this watercress salad is sure to impress.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SIMPLE WATERCRESS SALAD



Simple Watercress Salad image

White-wine vinaigrette brings out the delicate flavor of watercress without overwhelming it in this quick side salad.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 bunches watercress, tough stems trimmed, coarsely chopped (8 cups)

Steps:

  • Combine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a salad bowl. Slowly whisk in oil. Add watercress and toss with vinaigrette to evenly coat. Serve immediately.

WATERCRESS & ORANGE SALAD



Watercress & Orange Salad image

Keep this recipe handy when you need to make a special salad quickly. The flavorful vinaigrette adds a refreshing touch to the greens and oranges. -Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 bunches watercress, trimmed (about 10 cups)
4 medium oranges, peeled and sectioned
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine watercress and oranges. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 58 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 37mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

WATERCRESS SALAD



Watercress Salad image

Provided by Ming Tsai

Categories     side-dish

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Juice of 2 limes
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts, save a little for garnish
3 cups watercress
Salt and black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a bowl, whisk together juice, sugar and oil. Toss well with nuts and greens. Season and check.

CUCUMBER WATERCRESS SALAD



Cucumber Watercress Salad image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 English (European) seedless cucumber, diced
1 1/2 cups watercress leaves, the yield of a healthy bundle from the market
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons white vinegar
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
Coarse salt

Steps:

  • Combine cucumbers and watercress in a large bowl. Whisk the honey, vinegar, and water together. Pour over salad and toss well to combine. Season with dill and salt and toss salad again.

AVOCADO AND WATERCRESS SALAD



Avocado and Watercress Salad image

Provided by Maggie Ruggiero

Categories     Salad     Appetizer     No-Cook     Picnic     Low Carb     Quick & Easy     High Fiber     Low Sodium     Mother's Day     Dinner     Avocado     Spring     Summer     Healthy     Potluck     Watercress     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Kosher

Yield makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1 tablespoon grated sweet onion such as Vidalia or Walla Walla (use large holes of a box grater)
1/4 cup finely grated peeled Gala apple (use small holes of box grater)
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 cups watercress (thin stems and leaves only; from 1 large bunch)
1 firm-ripe avocado

Steps:

  • Stir together vinegar, onion, apple, soy sauce, and sugar until sugar has dissolved, then stir in oil.
  • Just before serving, toss watercress with enough dressing to coat. Quarter, pit, and peel avocado, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Gently toss with watercress.

SPICY WATERCRESS SALAD



Spicy Watercress Salad image

Spicy watercress salad.

Provided by Herbivore

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cucumber, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
½ red onion, roughly chopped
¼ cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 dash hot pepper sauce
2 bunches watercress, stems removed

Steps:

  • Combine cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl.
  • Place watercress on a serving platter or bowl. Pour cucumber mixture over watercress.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 82.7 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Fat 3.8 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 286.3 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

  • To select the best watercress, look for bunches with deep green, crisp leaves and avoid any with yellowing or wilted leaves.
  • Watercress is a delicate herb, so handle it gently to prevent bruising. Rinse it thoroughly in cold water just before using.
  • Watercress can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, soups, and stews. It can also be used as a garnish for grilled or roasted meats and fish.
  • Watercress is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, calcium, and iron.
  • If you can't find watercress, you can substitute arugula, spinach, or mizuna.

Conclusion:

Watercress is a versatile and nutritious herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its peppery flavor and crisp texture make it a great addition to salads, sandwiches, soups, and stews. Watercress is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, calcium, and iron. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious way to add some green to your plate, reach for watercress.

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