47 Salad Recipes That’ll Make You Excited to Eat Your Greens
The best salad recipes showcase what’s in season. Spring salads, brimming with crunchy, sweet peas and verdant asparagus are just as satisfying as juicy summer tomato salads, heaped onto a platter in the middle of August. In winter, bitter greens tossed in vinaigrette make for a lively companion to any meal. You need a few takes on Caesar in your salad repertoire, as well as some Cobbs and slaws for every situation. Below you’ll find a bounty of salad recipes for all seasons, from hearty main course options to lighter side salads. These recipes go beyond lettuce, leaning on crisp fennel, crunchy broccoli, luscious peaches, smashed green beans, and more. Whenever the time, whatever the reason there’s a salad recipe here for you.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews1/47Late Summer Tomatoes With Fresh Herbs
During tomato season, some of the best salad recipes don’t require lettuce. This recipe proves that concept and tosses ripe tomatoes in lemon juice and herbs to intensify their flavor and create a satisfying summer salad.
Photo by Benito Martin and Jess Johnson2/47Iceberg With Dried Oregano Dressing and Creamy Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/47Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad With Grilled Chicken Thighs
This dish is inspired by a Thai-Chinese favorite, bami haeng, served throughout Thailand. Like most noodle salads, the components can all be made in advance, allowing you to quickly assemble it when you’re ready to eat.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini6/47Smashed Green Bean Salad With Crispy Shallots
Smashing the raw green beans breaks them open and allows them to fully absorb the tangy, Thai-inspired salad dressing, while a crispy shallot topping nods to classic green bean casserole, all without the heaviness.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, prop styling by Sarah Cave, and food styling by Carrie Purcell7/47Green Salad With Radishes and Creamy Mustard Dressing
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell9/47Massaged Kale With Tomatoes, Creamed Mozzarella, and Wild Rice
Top a hearty base of massaged kale, cherry tomatoes, and wild rice with a burrata-like mixture of torn mozzarella dressed in sour cream and lemon.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/47Frisée, Radicchio, and Fennel Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette
This easy salad of mixed greens and pine nuts would be a great side dish for grilled pork or steamed fish. Swap out the mint for whatever fresh and tender herbs you love or have on hand.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton11/47Watermelon–Tomato Salad With Goat Cheese and Corn Nuts
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim12/47Scallion Salad With Sesame
One of the staples of Korean BBQ is a simple salad of seasoned scallions called pa muchim or pajeori. This version soaks the scallions in ice water for five minutes to mellow their pungency and give them a delightful curl. Serve it with grilled pork belly (or any other grilled protein) and kimchi to stuff into red leaf lettuce leaves.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/47Watercress and Persimmon Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette
Fuyu persimmons, which resemble tomatoes in shape, are delicious when firm and still slightly crisp. For this salad, you'll dress peppery greens in a simple champagne vinaigrette—the crisp, meaty wedges of persimmon provide a sweet contrast.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell14/47Green Bean Niçoise Salad
The best part of this vegetarian take on a classic French salad? The crispy fried capers. They add a salty bite that balances out the richness of the eggs and potatoes to make a hearty salad that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton15/47Endive, Apple, and Celery Salad With Smoked Almonds and Cheddar
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton16/47Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad With Za'atar-Lemon Vinaigrette
The herbaceous, tangy blend of spices in za'atar lend a bright flavor to this colorful frisée salad made with shaved carrots, green grapes, and spiced pistachios. Serve it as a side salad or add whatever protein you have on hand to make it a complete meal.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Brian Heiser, food styling by Rhoda Boone17/47All Green Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette
Johnny Miller18/47Cucumber Salad With Red Onion and Dill
Think of this cucumber salad as a playful spin on homemade dill pickles. It gives you all the flavors and textures of classic dill pickles, minus the time and effort.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson19/47Spring Salad With Crispy Chicken and Bacony Croutons
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell20/47Thai-Style Squid and Cucumber Salad
Tossed with crunchy cucumbers, peanuts, cilantro, and fresh red chiles, this salad makes a refreshing summer dinner spooned over rice or all on its own. For the best possible texture, cook the squid quickly in batches to prevent it from getting tough.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton21/47Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Photo by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Christopher St. Onge22/47Ants on a Log Celery Salad
A sophisticated spin on the beloved children's snack of celery with peanut butter and raisins, this salad is a study in textures with chewy dates, crisp apple, tender herbs, and crunchy roasted peanuts.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell24/47Chicken Salad With Apricots, Celery, and Blue Cheese
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton26/47Kale Salad With Persimmons, Feta, and Crisp Prosciutto
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson27/47Watermelon, Arugula, and Pine Nut Salad
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson28/47Simplest Kale Salad
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell29/47Green Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Dressing
Some of the best salad recipes can be complete dinners all on their own. Despite the minimal cooking involved in this hearty, fresh bean salad, the punchy basil dressing with tuna and capers means there's tons of flavor.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton30/47Kale Salad With Brussels Sprouts, Apples, and Hazelnuts
Another day, another kale salad. But this time, brussels sprouts, apples, gouda, radishes, and hazelnuts turn it into something special enough to serve guests.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton32/47Creole Caesar Salad With Corn Bread Croutons
This Creole-inspired take on classic Caesar salad gets punch and zing from crispy fried okra, cornbread croutons, and a zesty red pepper dressing.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton33/47Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson35/47Endive, Romaine, and Orange Salad for Two
This perfect date night dinner salad, made with sweet Cara Cara oranges, is ideal for sharing with a special someone. Serve it with a fork and knife, on one plate or two—or leave the silverware aside and simply eat it with your hands.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi37/47Watercress Salad With Warm Mustard Dressing
In this elegant salad, a warm, creamy dressing (made by whisking an egg with lemon juice and mustard in a bowl over simmering water) is the perfect companion to zesty watercress. It’s a classic from the February 1977 issue of Glamour, updated for modern times. The dressing would be equally good on a spinach salad with bacon.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce40/47Pickle Potato Salad
Looking for a new pantry ingredient that'll upgrade your potato salad recipe? Try vinegar powder: a dehydrated form of vinegar that carries a sharp, acidic bite. Here, the powder gets tossed onto roasted potatoes and carrots to create a pickle-like flavor that brings this simple salad to life.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Pearl Jones41/47Winter Italian Chopped Salad
Here’s a Mediterranean-inspired salad worth making in winter when you can get your hands on fresh oranges. Roasted artichoke hearts, chickpeas, and pepperoni create a hearty foundation that highlights the prized oranges in a wintery take on a classic chopped salad.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton42/47Charred-Peach Panzanella With Pickled Pepper Vinaigrette
Crisp some bacon, and char some peaches and bread in its rendered fat. Combine those with ripe tomatoes tossed in the garlicky brine from a jar of pickled peppers, plus a dab of grainy Dijon, and dinner is done (and on the cheap, no less).
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou43/47Chicken Cobb Salad
Bacon does double duty in this updated Cobb salad. Crispy pieces add a crunchy texture while the rendered fat becomes the base of a warm vinaigrette. Using shredded rotisserie chicken—instead of roasting off your own—makes the salad a cinch to throw together.
Photo by Peden + Munk45/47Roasted and Marinated Beets With Burrata, Charred Kale, and Hazelnut Vinaigrette
This satisfying salad of earthy-sweet root vegetables and marinated, charred kale is brought together by a hazelnut vinaigrette while torn burrata takes it to a whole new level.
Photo by Laura Dart and A.J. Meeker47/47Bitter Greens Salad With Melted Cheese
File this under unexpected salad recipes: Bitter greens get tossed in a simple red wine vinaigrette and topped with a layer of shredded cheese. A brief minute under the broiler melts the cheese and perfectly cloaks the greens to create a surprisingly satisfying salad.
