41 Best Salad Recipes

Looking for the best salad recipes to work into your lunch routine?

From leafy greens to macaroni to potato to fruit, there are so many scrumptious salads to choose from!

Salads tend to have a bad reputation as a boring meal. But with these salad recipes, you can say goodbye to soggy salads and hello to delicious greens.

Salads are a great way to get vitamins and minerals into your diet. They pack a lot of fiber and are often lower in calories. 

Unfortunately, they can also be bland and boring. Not anymore! These salads keep all of the expected benefits and excite your palette at the same time.

Pick your favorite flavors and start creating! These salad recipes are as much a meal as they are a work of art.

From sweet fruit topped treats to savory bowls of goodness, there’s a salad for every craving!

40+ Easy and Healthy Salad Recipes

1. Greek Salad

A Greek salad is a popular choice at many restaurants due to its unique flavors and enjoyable toppings. Make your own by following this recipe.

Red onions, black olives, and banana peppers make this dish what it is! It’s a savory salad with a wide array of tastes and textures.

The tangy dressing is the perfect topping to tie all of the ingredients together.

Sprinkle on some crumbled feta cheese, and you’ll have a salad that is delicious and nutritious.

2. Three Bean Salad

Salads don’t have to mean a bowl full of greens! In this salad, kidney beans, northern beans, and black beans all play a vital role in the dish.

Mix them together and coat with a vinegar dressing for a protein-packed salad that will keep you full for hours to come.

There is no chopping required! Mix the cans of beans and let it chill for an exciting new lunch box idea.

3. Macaroni Salad

Don’t give up your carbohydrates just because you decide to have a salad! This macaroni salad is a cousin of the famous potato salad.

Pimentos and mayonnaise smother your favorite noodles in a bowl that is popping with flavor. Stir in your favorite pickle relish or celery seed for an award-winning dish.

This macaroni salad makes a perfect side dish for a barbecue or a mid-week meal. Whenever you eat it, you are sure to enjoy it!

4. Green Bean Salad

Swap out tired lettuce leaves for green beans in this green bean salad recipe.

Cool and crisp green beans are mixed with chopped onion and then coated in a vinegar-based dressing.

This recipe is delicious the minute you make it, but it gets better if you let it marinate overnight.

All of the flavors come together in a to die for a dish that will be in your weekly rotation.

These flavors scream summer and lazy Saturday afternoons spent in the sun. Pack this green bean salad up and take it on a picnic.

5. Tomato Salad

Garden-grown or grocery-bought, a tomato is always a delicacy. Dress one up in this delightful tomato salad recipe.

The secret ingredients are the dried herbs that are mixed into the mayonnaise dressing.

They enhance the tomato’s flavor, making this dish the top of the list of your favorite foods.

Enjoy this salad by itself or enjoy it as part of a sandwich. This tomato salad is a concoction the whole family will enjoy.

6. Potato Salad

A cookout classic and barbecue stable, everyone needs a go-to potato salad recipe. Make this yours! It’s easy to make and will magically disappear off everyone’s plates.

Whether you are new to potato salad or a seasoned veteran, this version is sure to please even the potato salad puritans.

Save your summer nights with this remarkable potato salad recipe. It’s the perfect combination of salty and creamy.

7. Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Rotisserie chickens are quick and easy last-minute dinner options. But what do you do with the leftovers? Let them go to waste?

Your problem is solved with this rotisserie chicken salad recipe! Yesterday’s chicken is today’s success!

Chicken salad is as versatile as peanut butter. Top crackers, bread, celery, corn chips, and whatever else you can think of to make a satisfying meal.

8. Caesar Salad

Named after King Caesar, this king of salads is the ideal first course for any entree.

Traditional Caesar salad dressing calls for finely ground sardines. Luckily, this recipe has a way around it.

Crisp and cool iceberg lettuce form the bed of this salad while croutons and parmesan cheese top it off.

Give these ingredients a toss, and you’ll have a simple yet sophisticated salad straight from the Italian coast.

9. Spinach Apple Salad

Can one dish handle two superfoods? This spinach apple salad sure can! If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, imagine what this dish will do.

The earthy bitterness of the spinach complements the crisp sweetness of the apple chunks perfectly. Why haven’t we thought of combining them before?

It’s sweet and savory, all in one bite. This spinach apple salad is simple enough to enjoy in your sweatpants, but elegant enough to accompany you to the next block party.

10. Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is an ancient grain that has seen some major popularity in the past few years. It’s well deserved though!

What other grain has notable levels of protein and fiber? Give yourself the good stuff and enjoy a bowl of this hearty quinoa salad.

You’re guaranteed to love it. The simple grain is so nutrient-packed, and the rest of the salad bombards you with delicious flavors. What more could you want?

11. Broccoli Salad

Did your mom have to nag you to eat your broccoli when you were little?

Give up the fight with the broccoli salad recipe. It’s so delicious, you’ll wonder how there ever was a time when broccoli wasn’t your favorite.

Chop up some crowns, and you’ll have a meal fit for a queen with this broccoli salad recipe. 

12. Chickpea Salad

For plant-based eaters, ample protein can be hard to come by. As a result, the humble chickpea plays a vital role in many vegetarian diets.

Spruce up this bean with this salad recipe to give your trusty sidekick a new look and taste! Meat eaters can also enjoy this tangy salad dish.

Keep a giant bowl in the fridge for quick snacks or last-minute meals. There isn’t a time of day chickpea salad won’t be good.

13. Italian Chopped Salad

Think chopped salads are only for the rich and famous? Think again! Feel like a VIP with this Italian chopped salad recipe.

Iceberg lettuce is blended with all of the traditional flavors of Italy. From olives to a cream-based herb dressing, you will love every bite!

Start your next romantic evening off right with this delicious Italian chopped salad.

14. Arugula Salad

Arugula is the heartiest of the baby greens, and this salad recipe really shows it off!

The earthy flavor is complemented by so many delicious toppings and dressings.

Get out your salad spinner and whip up a treat with this arugula salad. The leafy greens and crunchy toppings make the perfect meal or late afternoon snack.

This recipe is both refreshing and nourishing. With so many minerals, your body will rejoice at the smorgasbord of nutrients.

15. Ambrosia Salad

Named after the food of the Greek gods, this ambrosia salad will leave you feeling like royalty. A subtly sweet dish, you could even count this salad as dessert!

The trick is to chop each ingredient up small enough to ensure you get a little bit of everything with each bite.

Dive in and be surprised at how delicious this ambrosia salad recipe is!

16. Kale Salad

Kale salad is a fantastic way to eat this powerhouse of a green. Instead of hiding it (poorly) in your smoothies, tackle the beast head-on in this salad recipe.

From kale chips to cold-pressed juices, I am sure you’ve had your fair share of this leafy green staple. Let it take center stage in this sweet and tangy salad recipe.

Bite into goodness when you fork up a generous portion of this salad. It tastes as good as it is for you.

17. Mexican Salad

Corn, black beans, and plenty of spices make up this Mexican salad! You can eat it plain, but this salad is designed to top your favorite tortilla chip.

Red onion and vinegar dressing marry this pico-like salad that would make the perfect appetizer. Share with friends or keep it all to yourself. I won’t tell!

Think outside the box and enjoy this Mexican salad!

18. Corn Salad

Summer is the best time to make this corn salad. The fresh kernels are perfectly sweet and crisp for a delightful dining experience.

Give the greens a break and let this yellow wonder food shine through. Chilled corn salad is the perfect side for a summer day.

Serve with a large spoon and save steps coming back for seconds. 

19. Watergate Salad

How did this salad get its name? I’m not sure. Perhaps it was served at the Watergate Hotel?

How did it become a go-to recipe? By being delicious!

Enjoy a myriad of deliciously fresh flavors in this Watergate salad. It’s a combination you won’t want to miss.

Roll up your sleeves and get chopping! This salad won’t make itself.

20. Lentil Salad

Lentils are another powerful food that provides an abundance of protein and fiber to the diet of every omnivore.

Steam a big batch and toss them into this lentil salad. This dish will power you through even your toughest of days.

Pack it to go or enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. You will love every bite of this savory lentil salad.

21. Watermelon Salad

Fruit is nature’s candy, and watermelon is the sweetest of them all. The star of summer is also the star of this salad.

Chopped watermelon is so juicy, you won’t even need a dressing. Paired with fresh mint, this salad really can not be beaten.

Though it tastes like a treat, this watermelon salad is guilt-free and absolutely divine. Don’t worry about leftovers because there won’t be any!

22. Grape Salad

The humble table grape often gets taken for granted. But not anymore! Let grapes take center stage with this grape salad recipe.

A member of the sweet salad tribe, this grape salad is a twist on the traditional fruit salad.

If you enjoy fruit cocktails around the holidays, you’ll love this grape salad year-round.

Swap out your nightly bowl of ice cream for a bowl of this grape salad. It is so delicious, you won’t even feel cheated.

23. Cucumber Salad

Is there anything more refreshing than a cucumber? Cool off on a warm day with this cucumber salad recipe.

Get chopping, and in 10 minutes, you’ll have a crisp cucumber salad to brighten your day. Prepare in advance to let these vegetables marinate together in your fridge. 

I didn’t think this recipe could get better, but it does! This recipe only improves over time as the flavors join forces for maximum enjoyment.

24. Pistachio Strawberry Salad

Sweet and salty come together once again in this pistachio strawberry salad recipe.

The nutty, fatty taste of the pistachio is the perfect complement to sweet and seedy strawberries.

The berries burst in your mouth while the nuts provide just the right amount of crunch. This recipe is the pinnacle of fine dining.

While most salads leave you feeling a little empty, this salad fills the tank all the way up! The nuts bring added protein, and the strawberries are packed full of fiber.

25. Blackberry Salad

Blackberries run a spectrum from incredibly tart to sinfully sweet. Fortunately, they are always delicious! 

Give blackberries some friends to mingle with, in this blackberry salad. It’s the perfect party food to show off the man of the hour, the blackberry.

The berries burst on your tongue in a delightful symphony of natural flavor, while the rest of the salad provides ample texture and contrast to their dark sweetness.

26. Cobb Salad

Cobb salad is a full meal served in a bowl. From fast food menus to Michelin four stars, cobb salad is a popular item.

Make your own by following this recipe and put your own twists on it. There are so many topping combinations, you can change it up a little each day.

The egg is an amazing source of lean protein, while the creamy dressing is incredibly satisfying. This main course has a little bit of every food group! 

27. Radish Salad

Radishes are a gardener’s staple. If you find you have too many piling up, put the spares to good use in this radish salad.

The root can have a sharp spice to it if you just eat them plain, balance out their powerful flavor by combining them into this salad recipe.

Go where no radish has gone before with this savory and succulent radish salad.

28. Wedge Salad

Wedge salads are known for their elegant presentation and scrumptious flavors. They’re both refreshing and comforting.

With its cream-based dressing and spicy chopped onions, you can never go wrong with a wedge salad starter or entree.

Follow this recipe to a beautiful finish and have a restaurant-quality wedge salad on your hands.

29. Carrot Salad

Carrots are great for your eyesight and wonderful in this dish! Chop up this family favorite and put a new spin on it with this carrot salad recipe.

Crunchy carrots are the perfect ingredient for this tangy salad. They crunch and sweeten the recipe to an unmatched level of perfection.

I think Bugs Bunny had the right idea when he snacked on carrots all day. You can too with this delicious carrot salad recipe.

30. Caprese Salad

Caprese sets a high standard for quality and flavor. Meet both expectations in this Caprese salad recipe. 

All of your favorite ingredients are there, tossed to perfection in a hearty salad. Indulge to your heart’s content on this delectable take on Caprese salad.

You don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant to enjoy Caprese. Enjoy it right at home with this recipe.

31. Fruit Salad

Classic fruit salad is outlined in detail in this fail-proof recipe. Use up your remaining produce in a delicious way!

Fruit salad is the perfect side for any occasion, and this recipe is a great one to try. It’s so versatile, you can include all of your favorite fruits in one dish.

Serve up a scoop of sweetness with this delicious fruit salad.

32. Waldorf Salad

Similar to fruit salad, Waldorf salad is a fruit and greens hybrid. Get both earthy greens and sweet fruits in this dish!

Topped with walnuts and a sweet dressing, this recipe has everything you could ever want in a salad!

Find your new favorite with this Waldorf salad recipe.

33. Celery Salad

Celery is an incredibly mild vegetable that is incredibly hydrating! Add it to your diet in abundance with this celery salad recipe.

What celery has in water it can occasionally lack in flavor. This recipe solves that problem by adding plenty of it.

Never be bored with your celery again and enjoy this deliciously crunchy celery recipe.

34. Cabbage Salad

Cabbage is a hearty green that makes this salad delicious. Chop it up into fine strips and watch the dressing work its magic.

Similar to coleslaw, this cabbage salad is delightfully tangy and crunchy. All of the cabbage’s best features are highlighted in this tailored salad recipe.

Dig in and eat up this plethora of cabbage goodness.

35. Asparagus Salad

Asparagus is not your typical salad green, but it will be your new favorite. This amazing asparagus salad will astound you.

Raw asparagus is crispy and brings a leafy texture at the top. Paired with this balsamic dressing, chopped asparagus has never tasted better.

Don’t shy away from this stalky vegetable. Love it in this asparagus salad.

36. Citrus Salad

Clementine pieces are the perfect topping to a generous bed of lettuce. Let the fruit do the talking with their vibrant juices.

The citrus fruits are so boldly flavored, you won’t even need the dressing! I would still recommend it, though. It’s the icing on the cake.

Switch up your brunch menu with this celebratory citrus salad.

37. Blueberry Salad

Blueberries are a powerhouse of antioxidants. Luckily, they taste good, too! Enjoy these fine fruits in this scrumptious blueberry salad.

For a berry so small, they sure are mighty! Plump and juicy blueberries carry this dish from ordinary salad to culinary greatness.

Give the little guys the chance to shine in this beautiful blueberry salad.

38. Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Cheesecake as a salad? No way! Make this delicious dessert and enjoy it all day. It is a salad, after all.

There is nothing better than a thick slice of New York cheesecake covered in a strawberry reduction sauce. The downside? It’s pretty tough to make.

Take a walk up easy street and get that to-die-for flavor in a quick little dish.

39. Roasted Beet Salad

For nights when you’re feeling a little more adventurous, give this roasted beet salad a try.

Beets are deliciously sweet, but maintain that hint of earthy flavor.

The beet becomes caramelized during the roasting process, which accentuates its natural sugars. You will never look at beets the same way again!

40. Strawberry Lime Pretzel Salad

This pretzel salad is brimming with delicious ingredients like whipped cream, sugared strawberries, and lime juice.

If you want to eat dessert for dinner, check this recipe out!

It has an obligatory fruit base, with a surprisingly sweet whipped cream layer, and a satisfying salty crunch from the pretzel pieces.

41. Berry Salad

If you can’t decide which berry to eat, have them all in this berry salad recipe. Fortunately, berries go great together and each accentuates the strengths of the other.

Never choose between a berry again! They all win first place in this berry salad.