Looking to shake up your eating habits with something fresh? Dive into our list of 17 top-notch salads that are too good to miss. It’s not just about leafy greens; these picks are a blend of crunch, zest, and all the good stuff in between. They’re perfect for anyone wanting to inject a bit of health into their meals without skimping on flavor. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up, making healthy eating a breeze even on your busiest days.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Refresh your lunch options with a salad that brings together chicken, cranberries, and walnuts. This trio delivers on taste and texture, making it a standout choice for a nutritious lunch. It’s a celebration of flavors that proves salads can be both healthy and indulgently tasty.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Dig into the nostalgia with a classic ham salad, where simplicity meets taste. It’s a blend of savory ham and crisp ingredients, making it a perfect pick for a light lunch or a hearty sandwich filler. Great for using up leftovers, it’s a sustainable choice that proves delicious doesn’t have to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Bring the vibrant streets of Mexico to your plate with this corn salad. It’s a riot of color and flavor, combining the charred sweetness of corn with creamy dressing and spices. Perfect for anyone craving a bold taste adventure, it’s a side dish that often steals the show at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Shirazi Salad
Experience a taste of the Middle East with Shirazi salad, a refreshing blend of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. It’s a simple yet vibrant addition to any meal, offering a crisp, cooling contrast to heavier dishes. This salad is a testament to how minimal ingredients can produce maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Make the most of convenience with a salad that combines rotisserie chicken and pasta. It’s a hearty choice that doesn’t skimp on flavor, perfect for meal prep or a satisfying family dinner. With a mix of textures and tastes, it’s a reliable go-to for a fulfilling meal that’s easy to put together.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Dive into the flavors of the Mediterranean with this orzo salad featuring shrimp. It’s a light yet satisfying dish that combines the tang of the sea with fresh vegetables and herbs. Perfect for those who love seafood and are looking for a meal that’s both nutritious and full of flavor, it’s a vibrant choice for any table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Steak & Pasta Salad
Upgrade your salad game with this meaty, satisfying blend. Combining tender steak with pasta, it’s a meal that promises to keep you full and happy. It’s perfect for transitioning from simple salads to something with a bit more substance, proving that salads can indeed be the main course.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Savor the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with a tuna salad that’s brimming with flavor. This salad mixes tuna with olives, capers, and a medley of fresh vegetables, dressed in olive oil for a heart-healthy option. It’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner, proving that nutritious can also be delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Southern Ham Salad
Enjoy a touch of Southern charm with this ham salad. It brings a delightful combination of sweet and savory to your palate, making it a fantastic option for sandwiches or crackers. Ideal for using up leftover ham, it’s a resourceful way to add a twist to your meals, reminding us that great flavors often come from simple ideas.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad
Egg Salad
Go back to basics with a classic egg salad. It’s creamy, comforting, and customizable, making it a perfect sandwich filling or a simple side. Whether you’re keeping it simple or jazzing it up with extras, it’s a timeless choice that shows sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Egg Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad
Introduce a touch of elegance to your dining with a salmon pasta salad. This dish combines flaky salmon with hearty pasta, dressed in flavors that complement the seafood perfectly. It’s a great way to get your omega-3s while indulging in a pasta dish that feels light and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad
Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic
Discover the fresh tastes of spring with a potato salad dressed in herbs and green garlic. It’s a light yet flavorful approach to the classic potato salad, perfect for those looking for something a bit different. This salad is a reminder that sometimes, a few fresh ingredients are all it takes to transform a dish.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic
Pesto Orzo Salad
Get ready for a burst of flavor with this pesto orzo salad. It’s a fresh take on pasta salad, combining the herbaceous punch of pesto with the delicate texture of orzo. Perfect for picnics or as a side, it’s a versatile dish that brings a touch of gourmet to everyday eating.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes
Embrace whole grains with this wheat berry salad. Paired with tuna and tomatoes, it’s a nutritious powerhouse that’s as satisfying as it is healthy. Ideal for those seeking to incorporate more whole grains into their diet, it’s a flavorful way to make a positive choice for your health.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes
Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Spice up your salad routine with this curried chicken creation. It marries the warmth of curry with the sweet burst of raisins, offering a unique flavor profile that’s hard to forget. Ideal for those looking to add a bit of excitement to their meals, it’s a flavorful way to pack in your protein.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Tex-Mex Caesar Salad
Give your Caesar salad a Tex-Mex twist. It’s a lively reinterpretation of the classic, blending traditional Caesar elements with bold Tex-Mex flavors. Perfect for those who enjoy a little spice in their life, it’s a salad that proves that classics can be reinvented in the most delicious ways.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Caesar Salad
Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
Combine the earthy flavors of potatoes with the crisp texture of yellow beans in this unique salad. It’s a great way to enjoy seasonal produce, offering a different take on the traditional potato salad. Ideal for those who appreciate the simplicity of garden-fresh ingredients, it’s a celebration of summer’s bounty.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad