Ditch the Lettuce Boredom with These 21 Not-So-Basic Salad Recipes
Sick of the same old wilted lettuce and sad tomato combo? Us too. Salads don’t have to be boring!
If made correctly, salads can be a flavor powerhouse, a symphony of textures and tastes that leave you satisfied and energized. Considering the average American doesn’t consume enough fruits and vegetables each day, a salad is a great way to boost health.
These are the not-basic salad recipes that will finally convince you that salads can be delicious and nutritious.
Winter Wheat Berry Salad with Butternut Squash
A hearty winter wheat berry salad that’s a fantastic side dish or lunch. With roasted butternut squash, spinach, almonds, and a tangy lemon dressing.
Vegan Taco Salad with Quinoa Taco Meat
Vegan Taco Salad! With quinoa taco meat, corn, beans, avocado, tomatoes, taco chips and homemade French-style dressing.
Marinated Lentil Salad
Marinated Lentil Salad! French green lentils tossed with herbs and a bright lemon dressing. A must for vegan meal prep and easy meals throughout the week.
Marinated White Bean Salad
Marinated White Bean Salad. This white bean salad recipe is perfect for simple plant-based meals. White beans with herbs, roasted red peppers and tangy Italian dressing.
Watermelon Feta Salad with Cucumber and Bulgur Wheat
If you love watermelon feta salad, then you’ll love this version with cucumber, bulgur wheat, mint, and red onion. Light enough to be a side dish but hearty enough to enjoy for lunch! Perfect for summer.
Farmer’s Market Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
A salad for Farmer’s Market Days! Made with butter lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, dates, corn, creamy goat cheese, cornbread croutons, and homemade Green Goddess dressing.
Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki Recipe)
Greek Salad, or Horiatiki, is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, olives, oregano, and olive oil. It’s a simple salad that’s fantastic on its own for a light meal or as a side or appetizer.
Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad
This watermelon, tomato, and feta salad is summer in a bowl! Salty and sweet salad with juicy watermelon, the best tomatoes you can find, and salty feta.
Kale and Apple Salad with Candied Pecans
The best Fall Harvest Salad! A kale and apple salad with candied pecans. Kale, cranberries, Honeycrisp apples, crumbled goat cheese, candied pecans, and pepitas with a creamy dijon dressing.Â
Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes with quinoa, greens, goat cheese, cranberries and a tangy maple-dijon dressing. A beautiful salad for fall or the holidays.
Delicata, Honeynut Squash and Kale Salad
The perfect Fall salad! With roasted honeynut squash, delicata squash, kale and a tangy maple-dijon dressing.
Persimmon Salad
The best fall and holiday salad! A persimmon salad with pomegranate seeds, homemade pepita clusters, kale, avocado, goat cheese and a tangy dijon dressing.
Guacamole Salad
Guacamole, but make it salad! Butter lettuce, beans, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, scallions, and crushed tortilla chips in a creamy avocado dressing. Vegan and gluten-free.Â
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
This Southwestern Quinoa Salad is bursting with flavor! A crunchy quinoa salad with chipotle quinoa, butter lettuce, pinto beans, tomatoes, avocado, corn and a tangy lime dressing.Â
Mediterranean Farro Salad
Mediterranean Farro Salad. A healthy vegetarian grain-based salad. Easily vegan. The perfect side dish or light lunch.
Grilled Panzanella Salad
Grilled Panzanella Salad! The best potluck salad for summer. Grilled zucchini, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, sourdough bread and a bright, tangy basil dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Vegan Italian Chopped Salad! Packed with plant-based protein, homemade Italian dressing, baked tofu, artichoke hearts, peppers and more. Perfect for summer!
Sweet Cherry and Farro Salad
You’ve gotta try this sweet cherry and farro salad! A delicious potluck salad for summer. Fresh cherries, farro, arugula, hazelnuts, feta and a tangy molasses dressing.
Autumn Squash, Kale and Apple Salad
Autumn Squash, Kale and Apple Salad. You’ve gotta try this Thanksgiving or Holiday salad! Kale, roasted squash, apple and candied walnuts in a maple-cinnamon dressing.Â
Summer Ramen Noodle Salad
Summer Ramen Noodle Salad! You’ve gotta try this vegan salad filled with ramen noodles, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and a ponzu sauce.
Mexican Avocado Salad
Mexican Avocado Salad! This simple avocado salad is the perfect summer salad. Light, simple and ready in just 10 minutes.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Extra tomatoes? Make this tomato salad! With juicy, ripe heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and plenty of fresh herbs, it’s a must for summer dinners.