19 Salad Recipes That Are Anything but Ordinary

Think salads are just leaves and dressing? Think again. These 19 salad recipes showcase how versatile and flavorful salads can be, combining fresh produce with proteins, grains, and unique flavor twists. Whether you want something light, refreshing, or filling enough to be a meal on its own, this collection has something to satisfy every taste.

Sesame Salmon Bowl

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

Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Close-up of a fresh salad featuring strawberries, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, and basil leaves on a bed of mixed greens. The salad is sprinkled with grated cheese, adding a textured contrast to the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables. — Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Strawberry Blueberry Salad brings together crisp greens, juicy berries, and creamy mozzarella for a fresh, vibrant dish that’s perfect for light spring lunches and breezy summer cookouts. A drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together with just the right amount of zing!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

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

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Chopped crispy chicken citrus salad on a white plate with purple kitchen towel. — Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This chopped winter salad is packed with crispy rotisserie chicken, bright citrus, toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs and hearty bed of Tuscan kale then tossed in an orange dijon dressing.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Scrumptious Southwest Salad

This is a very easy and delicious southwest salad recipe with fresh greens, black beans, corn, and a creamy homemade southwest dressing. Gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Southwest Salad

Feta Beet Salad

Beet salad with crumbled feta, pistachios and fresh herbs on a plate with serving spoon. — Feta Beet Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This beet salad with feta cheese is a truly delicious and impressive dish using simple ingredients. Cooked beets, crumbled feta and pistachios come together with fresh herbs and a lemon olive oil dressing to enjoy as a side salad or light meal.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Low angle shot of a bowl of watermelon salad with kalamata olives and feta cheese. — Watermelon and Feta Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Watermelon Feta Salad with Kalamata Olives is a refreshing summer side dish. With only 5 ingredients, it is quick and easy to make and so refreshing!
Get the Recipe: Watermelon and Feta Salad

Asian Cucumber Tomato Salad: Easy And Refreshing

A bowl of salad with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and lemon slices, topped with sesame seeds and herbs. — Asian Cucumber Tomato Salad: Easy And Refreshing. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Asian cucumber tomato salad is a delightful fusion of crunchy cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and a burst of Asian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Tomato Salad: Easy And Refreshing

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

A bowl of creamy potato salad garnished with chopped green onions on a wooden table. — Crispy Smashed Potato Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

With roasted garlic, a creamy lemon and herb dressing and crispy-skin potatoes that are tender inside, this smashed potato salad is a winner.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad brings a fresh perspective to a frequently underrated vegetable, combining shaved Brussels sprouts with complementary textures and flavors in a light dressing.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Salad

Quinoa Salad

With a delicious blend of quinoa, cucumbers, fresh herbs, and chickpeas tossed in a lemony dressing and accented with crunchy pistachios, this filling salad might just become your new best friend.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad

Loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings, this easy Pizza Pasta Salad is bursting with flavor! It's easy to make and pairs perfectly with anything grilled. Serve it at your next potluck or outdoor BBQ!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese chicken salad is delicious on its own but it can also be part of a larger spread. Serve it alongside other Asian-inspired dishes like Honey Walnut Shrimp or Kung Pao Chicken for a more substantial meal.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad

Wild Rice Salad

Easy, nutty, and loaded with fiber and flavor, this tasty Wild Rice Salad is loaded with veggies and the dressing is perfect! Ideal for potlucks or as an entree salad, dig into flavor today!
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice 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

Winter Fruit Salad

Cranberry fruit salad in white bowls. — Winter Fruit Salad. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Delight in a burst of flavors with this Cranberry Apple Fruit Salad. Featuring fresh cranberries, succulent apples, tangy oranges, and luscious pomegranate seeds, this colorful creation is a tasty addition to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Winter Fruit Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Packed with oodles of flavor, you can make this easy Mexican Street Corn Salad all-year long!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

Herbed potato salad on a white platter. — Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Say goodbye to mayonnaise and hello to a burst of flavor from herbs and green garlic! This easy potato salad is so delish and so different, everyone will want seconds!
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic