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    Home » Collections

    45 Best Salad Recipes

    Published: Aug 2, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    If you're looking for easy salad recipes, these 45 best salad ideas will help inspire you. Salads are perfect as a side dish, or an appetizer and can easily be upgraded to a healthy lunch if you add protein.

    Browse through this list and take your pick: from vegetarian and healthy salads to pasta salads, and easy salads. Best of all, they're made with wholesome and easy-to-find ingredients, making them perfect for families and for serving as weeknight side dishes.

    45 best salad recipes including grains and raw salads

    Our most popular salads

    These salads are perfect for weeknight dinners, as side salads or appetizers. You'll find vegan and vegetarian options, and we always include suggestions for upgrading the salads to a meal with healthy protein.

    1. Tomato cucumber onion salad

    Cucumber tomato salad is refreshing and colorful! Enjoy this crunchy and easy recipe as a summer side dish or add some protein to it and upgrade it to a quick and healthy main.

    tomato cucumber onion salad

    2. Green bean salad with creamy dressing

    Our tender-crisp green bean salad with a creamy mustard dressing that coats the beans to perfection is the easiest and tastiest salad of its kind.

    green been salad

    3. Easy avocado salad

    Avocado salad is creamy, crunchy, and refreshing, and it's all you need for a quick lunch or light dinner during the hot summer months.

    avocado salad in a bowl

    4. Moroccan carrot salad

    Moroccan carrot salad is a delicious and aromatic recipe with tender boiled carrots, fragrant ground cumin, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a few other simple ingredients.

    moroccan carrot salad with lentils

    5. Quick side salad

    Our side salad is a simple recipe you can serve with most main meals. It's easy, crunchy, fresh, and colorful and goes well with anything.

    simple side salad in a bowl

    6. Tomato salad

    We combine the tomatoes with thinly sliced onion and basil, then season them with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This tomato salad is tasty, refreshing, nourishing, and the perfect side dish for most meals.

    mixed tomato salad recipe

    7. Carrot salad

    Carrot salad is a refreshing, crunchy, and sweet French-inspired recipe you can serve as a side dish for the holidays or bring to picnics and potlucks.

    carrot salad with pineapple

    8. Shaved brussel sprout salad

    Our shaved Brussels sprout salad is easy to make with just 3 ingredients for the salad, and 4 for a delicious lemon-mustard dressing.

    Brussels sprout salad with walnuts

    9. Sweet potato salad

    Oven-roasted or air-fried sweet potato salad with ripe avocado, arugula, creamy mustard dressing, and a tiny bit of feta cheese is a delicious, colorful, and nutritious meal.

    sweet potato salad with arugula and feta

    10. Chickpea salad in 20 minutes

    This vegan chickpea salad is an easy and nutritious dish. Make it in just 15 minutes with simple, fresh ingredients and a refreshing lemon vinaigrette.

    vegan chickpea salad in a bowl

    11. Zucchini salad with parmesan cheese

    Fresh, bright, and crunchy, this zucchini salad is the ultimate summer salad. It's perfect for picnics, potlucks, and as a side dish for family dinners.

    vegetarian zucchini salad with shaved parmesan

    12. Fennel orange salad with pomegranate

    Fennel and orange salad is a crunchy, fresh, and light salad to be served as a side dish or as a starter.

    fennel orange salad with pomegranate seeds

    13. Watermelon salad with feta

    This watermelon salad with feta is a delightful summer salad sprinkled with pistachio nuts and lime. A perfect appetizer and side salad for hot summer nights or BBQs.

    watermelon feta salad on a serving platter

    Grain salads

    Salads with grains and pasta are perfect for lunchbox meals, to bring to the office, or for the entire family to enjoy.

    14. Rice salad Italian style

    This rice salad is adapted from the Italian rice salad and it's the perfect summer dish, easy to prepare in advance, and bring with you for a picnic outdoors.

    easy rice salad

    15. Pasta salad

    Pasta salad is the ideal lunchtime meal because it's quick to prepare and delicious to eat. It's also great to make in advance to have as a ready-to-go meal to eat at any time.

    Italian pasta salad with Italian dressing

    16. Quinoa salad

    Chickpeas and quinoa are combined to create a simple and healthy chickpea quinoa salad with fresh, seasonal veggies and a simple lemon vinaigrette.

    Quinoa salad in a white bowl is one of our best salad recipes

    17. Red cabbage salad

    This red cabbage slaw is easy, crunchy, and comforting just like a regular slaw, but with the added apples and candied walnuts, you get an irresistible sweet, sour, and nutty crunch.

    red cabbage salad in a white bowl

    18. Barley salad

    This barley salad with roasted vegetables is the perfect grain salad for a picnic, potluck, or a healthy lunch.

    Barley salad in a bowl with dressing

    19. Couscous salad

    This couscous salad is easy, fresh, crunchy, and nutritious. Follow our recommendations or make it with your favorite veggies.

    couscous salad with fresh veggies

    Protein-rich salads

    You don't have to worry about feeling hungry after eating these protein-packed salads! We use wholesome plant-based protein to make nutritious and satiating salads that you can serve with bread and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

    20. Vegan egg salad

    If you are looking for a great, quick, and fulfilling vegan lunch or snack idea, you need to try this vegan egg salad. Made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs, it’s great on a sandwich or on its own.

    vegan egg salad on bread

    21. Tofu salad

    This tofu salad recipe is a crunchy and healthy bowl perfect for lunch or dinner. Low in calories, high in flavor and filling. Make this today and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    tofu salad with creamy dressing

    22. Eggplant salad

    Eggplant salad is an easy and delicious recipe made with roasted or air-fried eggplant, chickpeas, and other crunchy seasonal vegetables. It's perfect as a make-ahead meal, for potlucks, and picnics.

    roasted eggplant salad with farfalle pasta

    23. Vegan tuna salad

    Vegan tuna is a quick and easy recipe made with mashed chickpeas. It's the perfect replacement for tuna in a sandwich, to fill a baked sweet potato, as an appetizer, or just as is as a vegan tuna salad.

    baked sweet potatoes stuffed with chickpea tuna

    24. Chickpea pasta salad

    This chickpea pasta salad is a quick and healthy recipe made with fresh and nutritious ingredients in less than 20 minutes.

    Chickpea pasta salad is one of our best salad recipes

    25. Black bean salad

    This black bean salad with roasted sweet potatoes, corn, green or red bell pepper, creamy avocado, and a cilantro lime dressing is a winner. We love this protein-rich salad for lunch and as a post-workout dinner.

    black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing

    Mediterranean salads

    26. Moroccan eggplant salad

    Zaalouk is a delicious cooked eggplant salad made with tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and olive oil. Learn how to make it in one pot in about 30 minutes.

    zaalouk with crusty bread

    27. Couscous with vegetables

    Couscous with vegetables is a delicious way of enjoying couscous. This is an easy recipe that you can make in less than 30 minutes, with seasonal veggies and herbs.

    couscous with vegetables

    28. Panzanella

    Panzanella is an Italian bread salad with simple summer vegetables and leftover stale bread soaked in water. A perfect appetizer for summer, and a delightful side dish for an easy dinner.

    panzanella salad with lettuce

    29. Carrot raisin salad

    Carrot raisin salad is a classic. We make a creamy old-fashioned one, grandma's style, with shredded carrots, raisins, and mayo, and a modern one with orange juice, raisins, and without mayo.

    carrot and raisins salad

    30. Caponata (Sicilian eggplant salad)

    Caponata is an Italian eggplant salad with a delicious sweet and sour flavor. We make it with roasted eggplant (instead of deep-fried) in less than 45 minutes.

    bruschetta with caponata

    31. Italian salad

    Our Italian salad is fresh, crunchy, tasty, and easy to make. Serve it as a starter, side dish, or light lunch with a slice of bread or warm homemade focaccia.

    Italian salad in a large bowl

    32. Lentil sweet potato salad

    This salad is the perfect make-ahead meal, and you can enjoy it as a quick and fulfilling lunch at the office or wholesome dinner, and easily bring it to potlucks.

    lentils and sweet potato salad

    33. Mediterranean farro salad

    This Mediterranean farro salad is unbelievably tasty and fulfilling and great as a healthy lunch idea. We make it with chewy Farro, roasted veggies, crumbled feta, and an irresistible cumin and paprika dressing.

    mediterranean farro salad

    34. Shirazi salad

    Shirazi salad is a refreshing Iranian dish made with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and onion and seasoned with dried mint.

    Shirazi salad in a serving bowl

    35. Greek salad

    Greek salad is a simple, tasty, and refreshing dish made with ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy red onions, crisp bell peppers, and savory and creamy feta cheese.

    American Greek Salad

    36. Creamy cauliflower salad

    Simple and incredibly easy; our cauliflower salad has no bacon, mayonnaise, or dairy; we roast the cauliflower florets with olive oil and toss them in a creamy-dreamy tahini and lemon dressing.

    roasted cauliflower salad in a large bowl

    37. Tabbouleh

    Serve tabouli as a starter on a platter with other Middle Eastern foods, as a side dish, or make it ahead and bring it to picnics and potlucks.

    quinoa tabbouleh

    38. Mediterranean cauliflower salad

    Protein-rich, with earthy lentils, roasted cauliflower, and a cumin dressing, this putlock-friendly cauliflower salad is great for autumn and winter.

    lentil and cauliflower salad

    39. Lentil tabbouleh

    This lentil tabbouleh recipe is easy to make, and you can serve it as a starter or as a side dish. It's a perfect side salad with Mediterranean or Middle-Eastern dishes such as hummus and eggplant dip.

    lentil tabbouleh

    40. Red cabbage salad

    A perfect holiday side dish and lunch idea! This crunchy red cabbage salad with juicy orange wedges, mixed green leaves, and nutty pinto beans make a colorful and vibrant salad.

    red cabbage and orange in a bowl

    41. Pear salad with orange

    This pear salad is fruity, fresh, crunchy, and delicious; excellent as an appetizer or side salad for a special dinner or holiday dish.

    pear salad with ricotta cheese

    42. Kale quinoa salad

    Leafy greens, roasted pumpkin, and a creamy mustard dressing meet in a wholesome grain bowl. Make this kale quinoa salad as a healthy lunch, or add tofu to upgrade it to dinner status.

    kale and quinoa salad with roasted pumpkin

    Easy salad dressings

    Italian salad dressing

    Homemade Italian dressing is a simple vinaigrette recipe to add flavor, freshness, and aroma to many salads, such as Italian pasta salads, big Italian salads, or simple side salads.

    Italian dressing

    Tahini sauce

    Rich, creamy, nutty, and incredibly nutritious, tahini sauce is a favorite drizzle-on everything sauce. It adds umami, creaminess, and a silky mouthfeel to any dish.

    roasted eggplant boats with tahini sauce and lemon juice

    Chipotle sauce

    Chipotle sauce is a spicy, smoky, savory condiment made from chipotles in adobo (smoked jalapeño peppers). Learn how to make homemade vegan, dairy-free chipotle sauce. A great way to spice up tacos, burritos, salads, and much more.

    chipotle sauce

    Chimichurri

    Chimichurri is a quick, delicious, bright sauce you can use as a topping for many dishes. The main ingredients are olive oil, parsley, garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

    oven-roasted carrots with chimichurri on top

    Carrot ginger dressing for Asian-inspired salads

    Carrot Ginger Dressing is a simple recipe for a vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and egg-free salad dressing, made with fresh ingredients in only a few minutes.

    carrot ginger dressing on salad

    Cilantro lime dressing for Mexican-inspired salads and bowls

    You can make this cilantro lime dressing in 5 minutes with 7 ingredients in a blender. This recipe is healthy, dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and perfect to brighten up your favorite meal.

    cilantro lime dressing in a bowl

    Green goddess dressing

    Green goddess dressing is a creamy salad dressing made with plenty of fresh herbs. Learn how to easily make this scrumptious dressing at home.

    boiled potatoes and green goddess dressing

    Chili oil

    Our quick chili oil recipe is inspired by the Italian "olio al pepperoncino". This is a classic condiment around the Mediterranean and is often added to pizza and grilled dishes.

    spoonful of chili oil

    Healthy salad toppings

    10-minute croutons

    Homemade croutons are a simple way to add flavor and crunch to salads, soups, stews, and casseroles. Make them in 15 minutes in the oven or on the stove-top, from fresh or stale bread.

    Baked croutons

    Air fryer croutons

    It takes less than 10 minutes to make these air fryer croutons and a few simple ingredients such as olive oil and your favorite dry herbs. They are perfect for soups, salads, and stews.

    air fryer croutons

    Grilled vegetables, such as eggplant, zucchini, or asparagus

    Grilled and roasted vegetables are a healthy addition to a big bowl of salad. Pick your favorite from juicy zucchini, tender eggplant, and crispy asparagus.

    grilled asparagus and lemon

    Hummus

    Learn how to make a mouthwatering homemade hummus with a few simple ingredients; from both canned and dry chickpeas.

    hummus

    Guacamole

    Homemade guacamole is probably the best dip in the world. Tasty, healthy, and a crowd-pleaser, especially when served with some crunchy tortilla chips or on top of a salad.

    guacamole in a bowl

    Air fryer tofu cubes

    Air fryer tofu is a convenient, easy recipe you can make in less than 15 minutes with very simple ingredients. Learn how to turn a block of firm tofu into tasty, crispy, and chewy bites of plant-based protein to level up your salads.

    Air fryer tofu on a plate

    Marinated tofu

    Marinated tofu is one of the easiest foods to cook. Our recipe is quick and tasty, and you can make it in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

    diced marinated tofu served on rice

    What is the secret to making a good salad?

    Here are 7 flavor elements that, in combination, level up a mediocre salad to a best-in-class salad:

    1. Bitter: such as lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radishes, and arugula.
    2. Umami: such as avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, and beets.
    3. Sweet: such as dried fruits, roasted sweet potato, roasted root vegetables, corn, carrots, onions, and roasted butternut squash.
    4. Salt: is easily added to your favorite proteins by cooking them. Some examples are fried tofu, roasted chickpeas, and tempeh bacon.
    5. Sour: for example citrus, cranberries, vinegar.
    6. Fat: nuts, seeds, avocado, good quality dressings, such as olive oil and balsamico dressing, green goddess dressing, and tahini sauce.
    7. Spicy: for example a spicy dressing (chili oil, chipotle sauce, chimichurri), or herbs used for the protein, for example, marinated tofu and air fryer chickpeas.

    These 7 flavor affinities are a good guideline for making delicious salads, but also work as a checklist for putting together a delicious and satiating meal.

    For many more salad ideas, check out our salads category page.

    45 best salad recipes including green beans

    45 Best Salads

    Author: Nico
    Over 45 best and tasty salads that are easy to make, healthy, vegetarian and vegan too. Browse through, and pick your favorite salad and dressing.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 300 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Pick your favorite salad recipe
    • Read the recipe for ingredients required
    • Make the recipe by following the instructions

    Instructions
     

    • How to store: Most of these salads keep for 1 day in the refrigerator, best if stored in an airtight container.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    45 Best Salads
    Amount Per Serving (200 g)
    Calories 300
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this list of best salad recipes, check out these veggie-packed compilations:

    • 35 Best Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
    • 40 Best Vegetable Sides
    • 35 Best Chickpea Recipes
    • 24 Best Eggplant Recipes
    « Carrot Raisin Salad
    Watermelon Salad »

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico and Louise, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

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