16 Salad Recipes That Bring the Flavor and Leave the Lettuce Bored

These 16 salads aren’t here to blend in—they’re here to steal the show. Packed with punchy dressings, juicy toppings, and crave-worthy crunch, these bowls are loud, proud, and anything but basic. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just yourself, these salads serve sass with every bite.

Avocado Salad

A hand holding a spoon over a vibrant salad bowl brimming with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and creamy avocado. — Avocado Salad. Photo credit: From Ice Cream To Steak.

This avocado salad is a fresh and vibrant dish perfect for any occasion. Creamy avocado meets crisp veggies and a tangy dressing. Packed with flavor and nutrients, it’s a delightful addition to any meal. Quick and easy to make, this salad will become a favorite on your holiday table or weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Sesame Salmon Bowl

Enjoy a Power Meal with a bowl featuring grilled salmon, sliced avocado, red cabbage, cucumbers, and mixed greens, all topped with sesame seeds. — Sesame Salmon Bowl. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sesame Salmon Bowls are a delicious and healthy dinner idea. It takes under 15 minutes to make start to finish! The sesame dressing adds tasty nutty flavor to this dish.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Salmon Bowl

Baby Calamari Garden Salad

A wooden bowl brimming with a garden salad features sliced cucumbers, red onions, olives, parsley, and shredded carrots, all beautifully placed on a fabric napkin. — Baby Calamari Garden Salad. Photo credit: From Ice Cream to Steak.

This Baby Calamari Garden Salad is a vibrant blend of tender calamari and crisp garden-fresh vegetables, tossed in a zesty dressing. Simple to prepare yet packed with taste, this salad is sure to impress at your next meal or gathering!
Get the Recipe: Baby Calamari Garden Salad

Winter Salad in a Jar

Today I have a special guest blogger I want to introduce you to. Her name is Tarah and she is a real food nutritionist. Today she has so graciously shared with us her favorite Winter Salad in a Jar recipe. This Winter Salad in a Jar recipe has warm flavors like roasted butternut squash, chickpeas and quinoa that will have you wishing it was winter year round.
Get the Recipe: Winter Salad in a Jar

Red Skin Potato Salad

Red potato salad in bowl with bacon and parsley garnish. — Red Skin Potato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This deliciously creamy red-skin potato salad is made with bacon for an extra savory kick. Enjoy this classic side dish at all your summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

Cucumber Kimchi

Korean Cucumber Kimchi is a spicy, flavorful addition to any rice bowl. This is a quick "kimchi salad." It's eaten right away rather than being left to ferment for days or weeks. It's crisp, spicy, tangy, loaded with umami—and ready to eat in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Kimchi

Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

A black bowl of Japanese cucumber salad garnished with sesame seeds. — Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Japanese cucumber salad is a refreshing side dish for hot weather! It goes perfectly with grilled fish and meat or spicy dishes. It is easy to make, light, and uses just a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

GF DF Macaroni Salad

Close up of a glass bowl with macaroni salad in it with celery and red peppers and apple slices and an orange linen behind it. — GF DF Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Only seven ingredients in this dairy-free macaroni salad recipe! Sweetened with apples & tart with pickles for the perfect summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: GF DF Macaroni Salad

Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded carrots and raisins on a wooden surface, next to a red and white checkered cloth. — Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This refreshing carrot raisin salad combines crisp shredded carrots and cabbage with plump raisins. A light and tangy dressing made with lemon juice and mayonnaise brings the flavors together.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Bacon ranch pasta salad in a clear bowl with a striped towel. — Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon is a rich, creamy side dish that pairs well with all your summertime favorites. Prep this 30-minute, one-bowl salad, which will be a welcome addition to your weekend dinner menu.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Greek Salad

Veggies don't have to be boring! Jazz up easy veg with a delicious dressing in this oh-so good and meal-worthy Greek Salad!
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad

Peach Tomato Caprese Salad

Sliced peaches, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella slices on a tray. — Peach Tomato Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Peach Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe is full of juicy peaches, fragrant basil, creamy fresh mozzarella, and tender lettuce.
Get the Recipe: Peach Tomato Caprese Salad

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Broccoli and shredded carrots on a mixing spoon. — Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad is brimming with broccoli, apples, carrots, cranberries, walnuts, and a creamy yogurt mayo dressing.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs. — Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Experience the taste of the Mediterranean with the Mediterranean White Bean Salad. The creamy white beans, juicy tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese come together to create a refreshing summer salad that is both satisfying and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

A fresh salad with sliced apples, pecans, and mixed greens on a white rectangular plate. The apples have a red peel and are thinly sliced, while the greens provide a leafy background, creating a colorful and healthy dish. — Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Curly Endive Winter Salad brings together crisp apple slices, sweet crunchy pecans, and hearty leafy greens for a refreshing cold-weather dish. A light vinaigrette adds the perfect balance of brightness and bite!
Get the Recipe: Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

A white bowl filled with tri-color rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, and feta cheese on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth. — Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

We love pasta but not hot pasta during hot weather. The simplest way to satisfy that pasta craving was creating a cold pasta salad, which, in the winter, can be served as a side instead of the main course.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing