Fresh, crisp, colorful, and packed with classic Canadian-inspired flavors, this Ultimate Canadian Salad is the perfect side dish for any season. Made with crunchy mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crisp cucumbers, this salad is simple, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.

This recipe is part of our Great Canadian Series

Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled meats in the summer, meal prepping mason jars for busy work weeks, or bringing it to a holiday dinner, this salad works for almost every occasion. It’s loaded with texture, sweet and savory flavors, and simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

At Canadian Cooking Adventures, we love recipes that are easy to make while still feeling fresh, comforting, and full of flavor — and this Ultimate Canadian Salad is exactly that.

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Why You’ll Love This Salad

• Fresh and crunchy
• Perfect for meal prep
• Easy side dish for dinners
• Packed with flavor and texture
• Made with simple ingredients
• Great for BBQs, potlucks, and holidays
• Family-friendly
• Naturally gluten-free

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Canadian Cooking Adventures Tips

Use Freshly Cooked Bacon

Fresh crispy bacon adds the best smoky flavor and crunchy texture. Thick-cut bacon works especially well in this salad.

Shred Your Own Cheddar

Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts slightly into the dressing and tastes much better than pre-shredded cheese.

Keep the Greens Crisp

If meal prepping, store the dressing separately or place it at the bottom of mason jars to keep the greens fresh all week long.

Add Protein

Turn this salad into a full meal by adding:

• Grilled chicken
• Hard boiled eggs
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Crispy chickpeas

Make it Sweet & Savory

The dried cranberries balance beautifully with the salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese.

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How To Make The Ultimate Canadian Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Wash and dry the mixed greens.

Chop the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion, and cook the bacon until crispy.

Shred the cheddar cheese if using a block of cheese.

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Step 2: Make the Dressing

In a small jar or bowl, whisk together:

• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper

Mix until smooth and combined.

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Step 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, add:

• Mixed greens
• Cucumbers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Bacon
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Sunflower seeds

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Step 4: Toss and Serve

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

Serve immediately while fresh and crisp.

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Mason Jar Meal Prep Option

This salad also works beautifully as a mason jar meal prep lunch for busy weekdays.

Layer in This Order:

1. Dressing
2. Cucumbers
3. Cherry tomatoes
4. Red onion
5. Shredded cheddar cheese
6. Dried cranberries
7. Sunflower seeds
8. Bacon
9. Mixed greens on top

Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

When ready to eat, shake the jar and enjoy.

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What to Serve with This Salad

This salad pairs perfectly with:

• Grilled chicken
• Burgers
• BBQ ribs
• Sandwiches
• Soup
• Roasted potatoes
• Pasta dishes

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Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Category: Salad
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Canadian Inspired

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Final Thoughts

This Ultimate Canadian Salad is everything a great salad should be — crisp, colorful, hearty, and loaded with flavor. With smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy sunflower seeds, and sweet dried cranberries, every bite is balanced perfectly.

Whether you’re making it fresh for dinner or prepping mason jars for the week ahead, this easy Canadian-inspired salad is guaranteed to become a staple recipe in your kitchen.

From our kitchen at Canadian Cooking Adventures to yours — enjoy every fresh and crunchy bite!