Fresh, flavorful, and versatile, a salad is much more than a bowl of lettuce. By definition, they’re a cold dish that can consist of greens or small pieces of food (like pasta, meat, fruits, or vegetables) mixed with dressing. If you’re looking for lunch or dinner on a warm day or a light side dish, it’s worth looking at any of these satisfying salad recipes. From an ice box salad to chicken salad and cucumber salad to couscous salad, a well-crafted salad can be a delightful meal.
Brown Rice Citrus Salad
“Are you tired of potato and macaroni salads for picnics and outings? This rice salad is a great alternative. It is light and has fewer calories than mayo-based cold salads.” – Trish
Fiesta Corn Salad
“A tasty salad to serve beside a steak.” – Robert
German Cucumber Salad, a.k.a. Gurken Salat
“I got this recipe from my neighbor’s mother. She taught me how to make it. She was from Bavaria Province in Germany.” – Diane
Orange Chicken Salad
“This is lovely for a light supper at the end of a summer’s day as you sit on your veranda surveying the gardens on your estate. Okay, I suffer from delusions of grandeur, but you get the idea.” – CC
Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
“Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze is an easy elegant salad. Ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze and olive oil.” – Debbie
Garden Couscous Salad
“My husband introduced me to this family favorite. Honestly, I had never tried couscous before this. I can’t believe how versatile it is and simple, of course!” – Karie
Icebox Salad
“A great salad that stays crunchy and travels well. This was my grandmother’s recipe and was always made for our picnics and family gatherings. This goes great with just about any meal and is quite a crowd-pleaser.” – Deborah
Greek Asparagus Salad
“It’s such a simple and easy recipe with huge flavors.” – Nick
Chicken Salad Waldorf Wannabe
“First let me say, this is a very unconventional chicken salad. It may not sound very good, but trust me, it is an awesome spring/summer salad.” – Janette
Chicken Fajita Salad
“A quick and easy salad with chicken fajitas, sauteed peppers and onions, tomato, avocado, and cheese in a cilantro lime dressing!” – Kevin
Strawberry Fields Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing and Candied Pecans
“This salad is out of this world! It satisfies all your tastes… sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. The slightly thick, sweet, and pungent poppy seed dressing, mild bitterness of certain varieties of greens, salty-sweet candied pecans, and tangy bleu cheese crumbles make this salad irresistible!” – Melissa
Avocado Citrus Salad
“I love avocados! So why not have a nice refreshing avocado salad? You can also use tomatoes as it did.” – NIKKI
Chopped “Green Goddess” Salad w/ Homemade Dressing
“This is a combination of several recipes I have found and tried over the years. It is very filling and hearty. Since the base is cabbage it will last in the refrigerator for several days making it great for those who like to food prep for the week.” – Kelly
Green Green Salad
“I developed this salad for a St. Patrick’s Day party. We all brought green foods. Someone actually brought green potato soup, but I think some of the other dishes were better received! We all laughed. This one is good and definitely healthy.” – Susan
Chicken Pasta Salad
“I’ve made this dish several times for friends or neighbors that are having out-of-town company. It’s also a great dish to take to a potluck or a nice side dish for either lunch or dinner. So easy and it will last for days!” – Linda
Family Favorite Panzanella Salad
“Italian Panzanella Salad or Bread Salad is an awesome way to use up any day-old dinner rolls or bakery hamburger buns you may have. Serve as a side salad or lay sliced, grilled chicken breasts or grilled jumbo shrimp on top for a quick and delicious meal.” – Family Favorites
Fruit, Nut, and Seed Salad
“Good for you and endlessly adaptable! I love having a salad like this for lunch… it’s satisfying all on its own.” – Cindy
Roasted Beet, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Salad
“I used to hate beets until I tasted fresh ones. This salad highlights the different textures of the ingredients as well as the sweetness of the beets. The dressing can be as sweet or as tart as you like.” – Amy
Heavenly Hash Fruit Salad
“This recipe has been passed down through 4 generations in our family via my mother’s side, with some slight changes made over the years, due to the grocery products now available. Putting it together makes a great family project that allows children to help, too. This salad is even better the next day.” – Marilyn
Cold Spaghetti Salad
“You can add black olives, you can add pepperoni, or also change to bowtie pasta… endless possibilities.” – Bea