21 Salads That Bring the Crunch and the Wow

Salads don’t have to be boring, and these 21 recipes are here to prove it. Packed with bold flavors, crisp textures, and vibrant ingredients, each one brings the perfect balance of crunch and wow to your plate. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a standout side, these salads are anything but ordinary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

A salad with strawberries, blueberries and feta cheese. — Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Taste the vibrant flavors of summer with this berry salad. It adds blueberries and strawberries along with a sweet and tangy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

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

Kachumber Salad

Kachumber Salad is a colorful salad of chopped raw veggies—chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and chile peppers. It’s seasoned with fresh cilantro or coriander leaves, ground spices, and a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice and makes a great side for Indian dishes from veggie curries to biryani.
Get the Recipe: Kachumber Salad