If you’re looking for easy salad recipes, these 45 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 pickย from vegetarian and healthy saladsย toย pasta saladsย andย easy salads.

easy salad recipes

Best of all, they’re made with wholesome and easytofind ingredients, making them perfect for families and serving as healthy side dishes.

Our most popular salads

These salads are perfect for weeknight dinners as side salads or appetizers.

You’ll find vegan, glutenfree, and vegetarian options, as well as suggestions for upgrading your salads to meals 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, add some protein, and upgrade it to a quick and healthy main.

tomato cucumber onion salad

2. Green bean salad

Our tender-crisp green bean salad is served with cherry tomatoes and a creamy mustard dressing.

The beans are coated to perfection, making this salad indulgent and healthy at the same time.

green been salad

3. Easy avocado salad

Avocado salad is creamycrunchy, and refreshing.

This 10minute salad is all you need for a quick lunch (add chickpeas) or light dinner during the hot summer.

avocado salad in a bowl

4. Moroccan carrot salad

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

Moroccan carrot salad on a white plate with a silver spoon

5. Quick side salad

Our side salad is a simple recipe for most main meals.

It’s easy, crunchy, fresh, and colorful and goes well with any main.

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 aย refreshing, crunchy, and sweetย French-inspired recipe you can serve as a holiday side dish 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 three ingredients for the salad and 4 for a delicious lemon-mustard dressing.

shaved brussels sprouts salad

9. Sweet potato salad

Oven-roasted or air-fried sweet potato salad with ripe avocado, arugula, and creamy mustard dressing.

Adding a bit of feta cheese is a delicious, colorful, and nutritious meal.

sweet potato salad with arugula and feta

10. Chickpea salad in 20 minutes

Thisย 15-minute chickpea saladย is an easy and nutritious dish.

Make it in 15 minutes with simple, fresh ingredients and a refreshing lemon vinaigrette.

chickpea salad in a white bowl

11. Zucchini salad

Fresh, bright green, and crunchy, this zucchini salad is the ultimate summer salad.

It’s perfect for potlucks and as a side dish forย BBQs and summer dinners.

zucchini salad served on hummus

12. Fennel orange salad

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

Garnish with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and fennel fronds for a restaurantworthy side dish.

Fennel 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.

It’s a cooling and tasty appetizer or side salad for hot summer nights, putlocks, 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

Thisย rice saladย is the perfect summer dish. It’sย easy to prepare in advance and great for meal planning.

Once the rice is cooked, it will take you 10 minutes to mix this wholesome and vegetarian grain bowl.

Rice salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs

15. Pasta salad

Pasta salad is the ideal lunchtime meal because it’s quick to prepare and delicious.

It’s also great to make in advance to have as a readytogo salad to eat at any time.

Vegan Pasta Salad with fresh parsley and hand serving the pasta salad

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 chickpea salad with fork

17. Quinoa lentil salad

Quinoa lentil salad is an easy, tasty, and protein-rich recipe for a quick lunch, side dish, or healthy dinner.

Youโ€™ll love the textures and flavors of tender sweet potatoes, earthy lentils, and fulfilling quinoa hugged by a creamy, tangy mustard dressing.

Lentil quinoa salad with a silver fork

18. Asian noodle salad

Our Asian noodle salad is an easy, refreshing, and tasty recipe inspired by sweet, zesty, and savory south-Asian flavors.

And if you want to add extra protein, this noodle salad is delicious with grilled tofu.

Asian noodle salad after mixing with grilled tofu

19. Couscous salad

This couscous salad is easy, fresh, crunchy, and nutritious.

Follow our step-by-step recipe for a mealprepfriendly dish ready in 20 minutes.

easy couscous salad on a white plate with a silver fork

20. Macaroni salad

This is a lighter macaroni salad with a creamy yogurtmayonnaise dressing.

Add carrots, bell pepper, and green peas for perfect crunch and added protein.

Macaroni salad with peas

Protein-rich salads

You don’t have to worry about hunger after eating these protein-packed salads!

We use wholesome plantbased protein to make nutritious and satiating salads that you can serve with bread and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

21. Vegan egg salad

Try this vegan egg salad for aย great, quick, fulfillingย vegan lunch or snack idea.ย 

It’s great on a sandwich made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs.

vegan egg salad on bread

21. Tofu salad

This tofu salad recipe is a crunchy, healthy bowl perfect for lunch or dinner.

Low in calories, high in flavor, and satiating with a velvety creamy tahini dressing.

tofu salad with creamy dressing

22. Lentil salad

This salad recipe is satisfying, colorful, and packed with plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Lentil salad is an excellent makeahead meal for potlucks and picnics.

Lentil salad on a white plate with a silver spoon and lemon wedges on the side

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, or as an appetizer.

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 wholesome ingredients ready in less than 20 minutes.

Chickpea pasta salad with a silver fork

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 proteinrich salad for lunch and as a post-workout dinner.

black bean salad with avocado, corn, and a hand holding a spoon

Mediterranean salads

26. Moroccan eggplant salad

Zaalouk is a delicious cooked eggplant salad 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.

You can make This easy recipe 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.

It is a perfect appetizer for summer and a delightful side dish for an easy dinner.

panzanella salad with hand holding a golden spoon

29. Carrot raisin salad

Carrot raisin salad is a classic side dish. 

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 40 minutes.

Eggplant Caponata in a bowl

31. Italian salad

Our Italian salad is freshcrunchy, 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.

You can enjoy it as a quick and fulfilling lunch at the office or a wholesome dinner and quickly bring it to potlucks.

lentils and sweet potato salad

33. Mediterranean farro salad

This Mediterranean farro saladย is tasty and fulfilling and excellent as a healthy lunch idea.

We make it with chewy Farro, roasted veggies, crumbled feta, and an irresistible cumin dressing.

mediterranean farro salad

34. Shirazi salad

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

Itโ€™s lovely withย Mediterranean spreads and dipsย on a mezze platter, stuffed vegetables, or grilled foods.

Shirazi salad after mixing on a plate with fresh lime and tomatoes on the side

35. Greek salad

Greek salad is a simple, tasty, 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 withย olive oilย and toss them in aย creamy, dreamy tahini and lemon dressing.

Cauliflower salad on a white plate with lemon

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 a side dish.

It’s a perfect side salad with Mediterranean or Middle-Eastern dishes such as hummus and eggplant dip.

lentil tabbouleh with a silver spoon

40. Red cabbage salad

It’s a perfect holiday salad side dish and a healthy lunch idea.

This crunchy red cabbage salad, with juicy orange wedges, mixed green leaves, and nutty pinto beans, isย colorful and vibrant.

red cabbage and orange in a bowl

41. Pear salad with orange

Thisย pear saladย isย fruity,ย fresh,ย crunchy, andย delicious. It is excellent as anย appetizerย orย side saladย for a special dinner or holiday dish.

Pear salad with orange and pomegranate seeds

42. Kale quinoa salad

Leafy greens, roasted pumpkin, and a creamy mustard dressing meet in a wholesome grain bowl.

Make this kale quinoa salad a healthy lunch, or add tofu to upgrade it to dinner status.

kale and quinoa salad with roasted pumpkin

43. Arugula salad

This Arugula side salad and appetizer idea is a 5-minute quick and delicious green side dish.

Try it with walnuts and slices of red apple for a fruit, nourishing, and crispy salad serving.

arugula salad with apples and walnuts

44. Butternut squash salad

This apple and butternut squash salad is packed with leafy greens, pecan nuts, and dried cranberries, perfect for autumn and winter.

butternut squash salad with a silver fork

45. Tahini salad

Velvety creamy tahini sauce, crunchy chickpeas, and fresh veggies come together in this MiddleEasterninspired salad bowl.

This salad isย quick and easy to make. You can customize it to your taste and serve it as a side or main dish with warm pita bread, falafel, hummus, and more.

Tahini salad with chickpeas and cherry tomatoes in a bowl

Easy salad dressings

Italian salad dressing

Homemade Italian dressing is a simple vinaigrette recipe to add flavorfreshness, 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.

creamy tahini sauce in a glass bowl

Chipotle sauce

Chipotle sauceย is a spicy, smoky, savory condiment made from chipotles in adobo (smoked jalapeรฑo peppers). Learn how to makeย homemade vegan, dairy-freeย chipotle sauce.

It’s a great way to spice up tacos, burritos, salads, and more.

Chipotle sauce in a bowl with Mexican sides

Chimichurri

Chimichurriย is a quick, delicious, bright sauce that can be used 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 seven ingredients in a blender.

This recipe is healthy, dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for brightening your favorite meal.

Cilantro lime dressing in a glass bowl with sweet potatoes and lime on the side

Green goddess dressing

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

boiled potatoes and green goddess dressing

Chili oil

The Italian “olio al pepperoncini” inspired our quick chili oil recipe.

This is aย classic condiment around the Mediterraneanย and is often added to pizza and grilled dishes.

spoonful of chili oil

What is the secret to making a good salad?

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

  1. Bitter: lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radishes, and arugula.
  2. Umami: avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, and beets.
  3. Sweet: dried fruits, roasted sweet potato, roasted root vegetables, corn, carrots, onions, and roasted butternut squash.
  4. Salt can be 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, olive oil and balsamico, green goddess dressing, and tahini sauce.
  7. Spicy: For example, a spicy dressing (chili oil, chipotle sauce, chimichurri) or herbs used for the protein, such as marinated tofu and air-fried chickpeas.

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

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

45 salad recipes with side dishes and meals

45 Best Salads

5 from 3 votes
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.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main
Cuisine: American Italian

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 200g, Calories: 300kcal
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @nicoandlouise on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Nico and Louise in front of the Consolazione church in Todi

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with vegetarian and vegan recipes.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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