This hearts of palm salad combines cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and hearts of palm, tossed with fresh parsley and a simple homemade dressing. It’s a quick, colorful side that pairs beautifully with seafood, chicken or steak.
I keep a can of hearts of palm in the pantry for easy, fresh salads. It’s affordable, versatile and ready in minutes. Serve this salad alongside grilled proteins, one-pot chicken dishes, baked meatballs or pan-seared fish for a bright, refreshing contrast.
Hearts Of Palm Salad Ingredients
The salad uses hearts of palm, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and parsley. The dressing is made from olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, a touch of sugar, garlic and onion powders, oregano, salt and pepper.
How Do You Make Hearts Of Palm Salad?
Start by thinly slicing the hearts of palm and cutting the cherry tomatoes in half. Halve, seed and slice the cucumber, and slice the red onion thinly. Combine these vegetables in a large bowl with chopped parsley. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, a pinch of sugar and the seasonings until emulsified. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat. Garnish with extra parsley and serve immediately or chill briefly before serving.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- You can assemble this salad up to 4 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, use wedges from a larger tomato.
- Very thinly sliced red onion prevents an overpowering bite; a mandoline helps achieve consistent thin slices.
- No parsley? Fresh basil, chives or dill make good substitutes.
Quick Tip
Use a thin-skinned cucumber like Persian or English to avoid peeling. If you use a standard waxy cucumber, peel it before slicing.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Hearts of palm are low in calories and carbohydrates, and provide fiber, some protein and nutrients like vitamin C, calcium and B6.
It has a mild, slightly briny flavor with a firm, tender texture often compared to artichoke hearts.
Hearts of palm work well in savory salads alongside cucumbers, tomatoes, greens and cheeses like feta or parmesan, and pair nicely with grilled or roasted proteins.
Flavor Variations
Customize the salad by adding ingredients to suit your preferences:
- Protein: Add canned white beans, crumbled cooked bacon or diced grilled chicken to make it a main dish.
- Vegetables: Mix in celery, mixed greens, avocado or bell peppers for extra texture and color.
- Extras: Boost flavor with toasted pine nuts, capers, olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
Once you try this hearts of palm salad, it’s likely to become a regular, easy side in your rotation.
More Salads To Try
Black Bean Salad
21 mins
Curry Chicken Salad
21 mins
German Potato Salad
40 mins
Tomato Avocado Salad
11 mins
Panzanella Salad
1 hr 5 mins
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Hearts of Palm Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 2 (14 ounce) cans hearts of palm, drained and thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
For the dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the salad
- Place the hearts of palm, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and parsley in a large bowl.
For the dressing
- Whisk together the olive oil, Dijon, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and seasonings until combined.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with additional parsley if desired, then serve.
Notes
- This salad can be made up to 4 hours ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, use wedges from a larger tomato.
- Very thin slices of red onion keep its flavor from dominating the salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 90 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 9 g | Sodium: 13 mg | Fiber: 1 g