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Home » Trending

16 Next-Level Salads That’ll Make You Rethink Lunch

Published: Aug 28, 2025 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Say goodbye to sad lettuce and hello to salad bliss. These 16 recipes are stacked with bold dressings, vibrant veggies, proteins, and toppings that add excitement to every forkful. Perfect for meal preppers, foodies, or anyone craving a feel-good, flavor-packed bite.

Winter Salad in a Jar

Winter Salad in a JAr recipe
Winter Salad in a Jar. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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

Sesame Salmon Bowl

Sesame Salmon Bowl with cucumber, avocado, sesame seeds, red cabbage, green onions and spring mix in a white bowl.
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

Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

A bowl of Mediterranean-style salad with orzo, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, red peppers, tuna, and a lemon wedge, garnished with basil.
Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Whip up a quick and tasty Mediterranean tuna orzo salad for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is ideal for a healthy meal that’s ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

Best Roasted Potato Salad

Best Roasted Potato Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

A vibrant and flavorful roasted potato salad with fresh herbs, a delightful homemade dressing, and pistachios for a bit of crunch.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Beet Salad with Feta

Beet Salad with Feta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

The easy and delicious beet salad with feta cheese is flavorful, easy to make, and works well as a meal, side dish, or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad with chickpeas, cucumber, and herbs served in a bowl, with a lemon, a red onion, and additional bowls on the side.
Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Sage Alpha Gal.

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

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

Pizza Pasta Salad

A platter of pizza pasta salad served on a white rectangular dish.
Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

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

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

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

Mexican Street Corn Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

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

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

Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

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

Cucumber Kimchi

Cucumber kimchi on a white plate with a pair of chopsticks lifting a slice of cucumber.
Cucumber Kimchi. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

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

Scrumptious Southwest Salad

Scrumptious Southwest Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

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

Mango Salad

Mango Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This is an easy, fresh, and delicious mango salad recipe with a flavorful homemade dressing.
Get the Recipe: Mango Salad

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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