A selection of salad recipes that are vibrant, tasty, and regularly featured in my kitchen! From substantial dinner salads to light, refreshing lunches.
I ADORE a fantastic salad. I’m often invited to bring salads to social events and festivities, and I am completely thrilled about it each time because a great salad is such a joy. They’re essentially a vast playground of flavors, textures, and hues.
I relish a side salad, a gourmet salad, and one that can serve as a meal. These are the favorites my family repeatedly turns to: crunchy, vibrant, filled with textures, and bursting with flavors. Clearly for me, it’s also ALL about the dressing. I want it all!
So here is a compilation of 25 of my beloved salad recipes! The type that makes you want to have salad on the menu more frequently. 💛
Top Salad Recipes
Roasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad
WOW, this salad is sensational! Crispy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and an impeccable roasted peanut vinaigrette that seeps into every salad nook and cranny.
Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
Tart salad, crispy potatoes, and creamy ranch – this smashed potato salad is the ultimate summer combination!
Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs
Thinly sliced veggies, an abundance of herbs, a heap of fried crispy red curry rice, and a limey garlicky vinaigrette on top. This crispy rice salad is what I crave right now!
Miso Crunch Salad
Shredded cabbage and kale, shrimp, avocado, cilantro, and chili-flavored peanuts, all tossed in a delightful sweet miso dressing.
Liz’s Bistro Salad
Crisp, light, vibrant, and super fresh. This French-inspired bistro salad is an absolute gem as a side for nearly any meal. Tender greens, fresh herbs, pickled onions, and a subtle vinaigrette on top.
Beet and Burrata Salad with Fried Bread
This Beet and Burrata Salad offers everything you could desire. Juicy beets and oranges, a creamy and decadent burrata scoop, peppery arugula, a swift vinaigrette, and crispy fried bread. SO MUCH YES!
The Best Pasta Salad
Incredibly simple Pasta Salad – made with pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and easy Italian dressing. DANGEROUSLY TASTY.
Elote Style Quinoa Salad
Elote Quinoa Salad featuring smooth peppers confit, luscious sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. The perfect choice for summer and incredibly delicious!
Napa Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing
This Napa Chicken Salad is maximally crunchy! Fresh napa cabbage, succulent rotisserie chicken, a simple homemade sesame dressing, and crunchy additions of cashews, fried wonton strips, dried ramen noodles, crispy fried onions, or sesame sticks… the choice is yours!
The Oliver’s Salad
Here is the most stunning salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, flavorful peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and drizzled with homemade smoky ranch dressing.
Simple Green Salad
Any table deserves this Simple Green Salad! Fresh spring greens drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing and topped with any crunchies your salad-loving heart desires.
Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad
This Roasted Broccoli Salad is EVERYTHING! Bright lemon, crispy bacon, tangy feta, all centered around a generous serving of roasted broccoli. A true meal hero!
Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing
This Cashew Crunch Salad is packed with crunchy veggies, chow mein noodles, edamame, and roasted cashews that will genuinely make you WANT TO EAT A SALAD. And the sesame dressing – WOW!
Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad
This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad includes red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don’t get much better than this.
Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing
This Shrimp and Avocado Salad features spicy shrimp, crunchy cucumbers, spinach, creamy avocado, and a generous drizzle of miso dressing. The happiest green salad ever!
Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing
Tender chicken, juicy grapes and berries, crisp lettuce, tangy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and the star of the show – almond honey mustard dressing! Savor the rainbow and feel joyful, friends!
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas
A super fresh, summery Lemon Herb Pasta Salad! Loaded with zesty marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, abundant herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and topped with some parmesan.
Corn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes
The ultimate summer quinoa salad – sweet corn, creamy avocado, nutty quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and a plethora of fresh herbs.
Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette
A lively, zesty, unexpectedly delightful couscous salad combining sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more – all tossed with a transformative lime basil vinaigrette!
Chopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad
This straightforward chopped Thai chicken salad bursts with BIG flavors – peanut, lime, soy, chili, cilantro. Topped with a homemade peanut dressing! Healthy and refreshing.
Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
This scrumptious salad embodies summer! Featuring chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a hint of sweetness.
Avocado Kale Caesar Salad + Sweet Potato Fries
Avocado Kale Caesar Salad is a game-changer! Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too. Toss in some crispy sweet potato fries and you are SET FOR LIFE.
Super Yummy Chicken Salad
This Chicken Salad is simply amazing! Packed with protein and coated in a delightful creamy dressing, it’s perfect for a quick lunch in a sandwich or wrap.
Peanut Noodle Salad
Peanut Noodle Salad – fresh veggies, chicken, brown rice noodles, and a straightforward homemade dressing. My all-time favorite salad!
Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
This Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad makes for a fantastic side dish for holidays, featuring shaved brussels sprouts, chopped bacon, and a light citrus dressing.
**25 Exciting and Delicious Salad Recipes**
Salads are a flexible and healthy meal choice that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you’re searching for a light side dish or a filling main course, these 25 exciting and delicious salad recipes will stimulate your culinary creativity.
1. **Mediterranean Quinoa Salad**: Brimming with protein-rich quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese, this salad is tossed in a tangy lemon-oregano dressing.
2. **Thai Peanut Chicken Salad**: Grilled chicken, shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers are drizzled with a rich peanut dressing for an exciting Asian-inspired dish.
3. **Caprese Salad with a Twist**: Classic Caprese with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, enhanced by avocado slices and a balsamic glaze.
4. **Kale and Apple Salad**: Fresh kale leaves, crisp apple slices, walnuts, and cranberries tossed in a zesty apple cider vinaigrette.
5. **Southwestern Black Bean Salad**: Black beans, corn, avocado, and cherry tomatoes mixed with a lime-cilantro dressing deliver a refreshing flavor from the Southwest.
6. **Greek Orzo Salad**: Orzo pasta, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta cheese combined with a lemon-dill dressing for a delightful Greek-inspired dish.
7. **Strawberry Spinach Salad**: Sweet strawberries, baby spinach, goat cheese, and almonds tossed with a poppy seed dressing.
8. **Asian Slaw with Ginger Dressing**: Shredded cabbage, carrots, and edamame topped with a ginger-soy dressing create a crunchy, flavorful salad.
9. **Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad**: Roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and arugula drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
10. **Cobb Salad**: A classic mix of lettuce, bacon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and blue cheese in a red wine vinaigrette.
11. **Watermelon Feta Salad**: Juicy watermelon cubes, feta cheese, and mint leaves tossed with a lime vinaigrette for a cool summer treat.
12. **Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp**: Crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and grilled shrimp dressed in a classic Caesar dressing.
13. **Lentil and Feta Salad**: Protein-packed lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese mixed with a lemon-herb dressing.
14. **Panzanella Salad**: A Tuscan bread salad featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and basil, all tossed with olive oil and vinegar.
15. **Asian Noodle Salad**: Rice noodles, bell peppers, carrots, and peanuts dressed in a sesame-soy dressing create a vibrant dish.
16. **Avocado and Mango Salad**: Creamy avocado paired with sweet mango, red onion, and cilantro, drizzled with a lime vinaigrette.
17. **Chickpea and Avocado Salad**: Chickpeas, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and red onion combined with a lemon-tahini dressing.
18. **Grilled Vegetable Salad**: Seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus grilled and tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.
19. **Pear and Gorgonzola Salad**: Sliced pears, Gorgonzola cheese, and walnuts on a bed of mixed greens with a honey-mustard dressing.
20. **Buffalo Chicken Salad**: Spicy buffalo chicken, romaine lettuce, celery, and blue cheese drizzled with ranch dressing.
21. **Quinoa and Black Bean Salad**: Quinoa, black beans, corn, and bell peppers mixed with a lime-cumin dressing.
22. **Roasted Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad**: Roasted sweet potatoes, arugula, pecans, and cranberries tossed with a maple vinaigrette.
23. **Zucchini Noodle Salad**: Spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil dressed in a lemon-basil vinaigrette.
24. **Taco Salad**: Ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and tortilla chips topped with a spicy salsa dressing.
25. **Fig and Prosciutto Salad**: Fresh figs, prosciutto, arugula, and goat cheese drizzled with a balsamic glaze for a sweet and savory blend.
These salad recipes present a delightful variety of flavors and textures, making them ideal for any occasion. Whether you prefer classic combinations or adventurous new flavors, there’s a salad here for every taste. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and uncovering your new favorite salad!
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