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Apr 18, 2019 Jul 5, 2023
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More than just leafy greens, there are many kinds of Salad Recipes to enjoy all year long! From light mixed greens and hearty main dish salads to sides made with vegetables, fruit, pasta, and more there are salads to keep you cool in the summer or fill you up during any season. And they are all gluten free or just require a simple substitution!
What are the Different Kinds of Salads?
I’m an equal opportunity salad eater. Even in winter, I’m breaking out the greens to get in my servings of veggies. But there’s so much more to a salad than just lettuce.
- Green Salads – these are your standard salads that start with a base of lettuce or other leafy greens. But you don’t have to stop there. Add more veggies, nuts or cheese, maybe some fruit, and an added protein to make it a satisfying meal. Green salads include tossed, with all the components mixed together, or composed, where the other ingredients are arranged on top of the greens.
- Vegetable Salads – you can also use so many other veggies as a basis for salads, whether it’s broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, and even zucchini when you make spiralized salads. Some vegetable salad recipes get tossed in a vinaigrette while others have creamy dressings. This includes coleslaw and other slaws too.
- Bound Salads – maybe this term isn’t familiar to you, but you know what the category includes. It’s salads that start with a base of protein, like chicken or eggs, or a carb, such as pasta, potatoes, or even grains. While often held together with a mayo- or yogurt-based dressing, some use a vinegar-based option.
- Fruit Salads – here is the sweet entry into the different types of salads. It can be as simple as a medley of fresh fruit, or you can make a sweet dressing from citrus, yogurt, and more. Sometimes they have mix-ins too, such as nuts for some crunch.
- Mixed Salads – combine any of the above and you have a mixed salad. Try chicken salad served over greens, spinach mixed into your pasta salad, or a combo bound salad like chicken and grains combined.
If you need some inspiration, you’ll find a selection of all of these different types of salad recipes right here…
The Best Salad Recipes
Green Salads
A green salad recipe can mean so much more than just lettuce with tomatoes and cucumbers. While a simple tossed salad makes a great light side, from berries to bacon, cheese to nuts, avocado to homemade salad dressing recipes, the possibilities are endless to make your salad hearty and delicious.
Italian Country Salad
With tender poached pears, tangy blue cheese, sweet glazed walnuts, and a creamy sherry dressing atop baby greens, this simple salad is so elegant. It can be a simple side dish or add your favorite protein to make it a satisfying dinner salad.
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Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
You can make this restaurant favorite at home and make it healthier with a creamy Greek yogurt Caesar dressing. Make sure to use gluten free croutons or try my polenta croutons if needed.
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Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad
It's like a cross between spinach salad and a classic Cobb, but with a summery twist. You'll love the light and fresh citrus and berries with rich avocado and goat cheese plus satisfying chicken, bacon, and egg.
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Grilled Steak Salad with Corn and Asparagus
This restaurant-worthy salad is both fresh and satisfying with tender slices of steak atop a bed of crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes. Grilled corn and asparagus completes this flavor-packed dinner salad.
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Grilled Chicken Salad with Berries
This salad definitely makes a meal, and is a true taste of summer favorites. Besides the grilled chicken, fresh berries, and goat cheese, it has a sweet and savory blueberry balsamic dressing that does double-duty as the marinade for the chicken.
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Banh Mi Salad
This healthy salad is inspired by the traditional Vietnamese street food sandwich. Savory pork meatballs are balanced by fresh greens and the bite of jalapeño and pickled radish with sriracha lime dressing.
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Lobster Cobb Salad
The addition of lobster is asimple way to add a little elegant flair to the classic Cobb salad. It makes a perfect summer meal that satisfies with bacon, eggs, and blue cheese.
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Italian-Style Wedge Salad
Upgrade on that basic iceberg lettuce recipe with Italian-inspired ingredients. TCispy prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, a sprinkle of parmesan, and a light and easy creamy balsamic dressing add Italian style to Romaien and tomatoes to serve alongside a pasta dinner.
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Taco Salad Bowl
Turn your Taco Tuesday leftovers into this filling (and even low carb!) meal. Pile ground beef taco meat on top of a bed of lettuce with all of your favorite taco toppings for a fast family dinner that everyone can customize.
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Strawberry Mango Avocado Salad
A light and refreshing mix of sweet and tangy, creamy and crunchy, healthy and satisfying make this a perfect spring or summer salad. This salad serves four as a side dish, and feel free to double it and even add grilled chicken to make it a complete meal for the family.
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Grilled Shrimp Salad
Give a standard Cobb salad a summery southwestern twist with this loaded salad. Besides grilled shrimp, it has avocado, eggs, bacon, charred corn, Cotija cheese, and a spicy Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing.
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Mango Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
For an easy summer side salad, top your favorite lettuce or mixed greens with slivers of mango, juicy blackberries, and crumbled goat cheese. Tangy Strawberry Lime Poppy Seed Salad Dressing pulls those fresh flavors together.
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Strawberry Wedge Salad
Add a burst of sweet, juicy berries to the classic wedge salad for a new take on an old favorite. Bacon and blue cheese add the perfect salty, smoky balance to those strawberries.
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Grilled Chicken Sausage Salad
This summery salad is perfect for warm weather days with a balance of fresh ingredients and smoky grilled toppings. Plate it up or set up a salad bar filled with to let everyone make their own, and dig in!
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Grilled Steak Salad with Mango
A hearty salad that makes a satisfying meal for even the biggest appetites, and is so flavorful with mango and a rich Avocado Buttermilk Ranch dressing. This recipe uses leftover cooked steak, but you can use any type of protein you want, or grill up a steak just for this recipe.
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Fruity Summer Shrimp Salad
You'll love the unexpected flavor combination in this light and healthy summer salad. The juicy watermelon and mango complement the succulent shrimp and tangy goat cheese.
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Festive Winter Fruit Salad
Mixed greens are topped with seasonal fruit which is the true star of this festive salad. But don't forget the crunchy candied nuts, salty feta cheese, and a sweet and tangy cranberry dressing that make it delicious and satisfying.
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Farmhouse Salad
You won't believe the explosion of flavors and various textures from crisp-tender asparagus to sweet peas to sharp radishes that come together for this fresh and hearty salad. A simple citrus vinaigrette adds a hint of acid to enhance all of the other flavors.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Pomegranates and Goat Cheese
This colorful salad is as gorgeous as it is delicious. With roasted butternut squash, crunchy and tart pomegranate seeds, tangy goat cheese, and a creamy maple Dijon dressing, this recipe proves salads aren't just for summertime.
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More Green Salad Recipes
- Simple Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese from Domestic Superhero
- Jacked Up Monterey Chicken Salad from Love Bakes Good Cakes
- Antipasto Salad from Dinner at the Zoo
Vegetable Salads
You can use pretty much any of your favorite veggies in a light and lovely salad. Whether tossed in a vinaigrette or a creamy dressing, these salads are fresh, crisp, and flavorful. This category also includes slaws.
Apple Broccoli Salad
This healthy side salad is lightened up with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Plus apples add a bit of sweetness and crunch which is balanced by sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy walnuts.
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Classic Coleslaw
It's simply the timeless favorite that pairs with barbecue, hot dogs, and so much more. You can assemble this simple salad in just minutes.
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Three Bean Salad
A traditional picnic dish that's flavorful and satisfying. This healthy vegetable side dish has a colorful bean medley tossed in a zesty homemade vinaigrette.
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Caprese Zoodles Salad
Give the summer tomato and mozzarella classic a literal "twist" by combining it with spiralized zucchini. A little balsamic and basil make those flavors pop.
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Greek Salad
With Mediterranean flavors and healthy ingredients, this zesty salad pairs with your favorite Greek dishes. It's bursting with fresh cherry tomatoes, juicy cucumber slices, tangy feta cheese, and garlic lemon dressing.
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Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw
Give your simple slaw a healthier and tastier update with a creamy maple Dijon dressing. Plus the sweetness of apples and dried cranberries add a great taste and texture that makes it a side everyone will enjoy.
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Roasted Asparagus Salad
Enjoy a light and easy salad bursting with fresh spring vegetables, plus dried cherries and tangy goat cheese. Caramelized leeks add natural sweetness to this dish you can serve warm or cold.
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Zoodles Greek Salad
All the flavors of the Mediterranean shine in this light, healthy, and fresh salad. It's a fresh side or you can toss it with chicken or shrimp to make it a meal.
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Tropical Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad gets a bright and fresh update with the addition of pineapple, macadamia nuts, and sharp cheddar cheese. You've never had this old favorite barbecue side like this before!
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Mustard Coleslaw
Add a little extra zip with a creamy mustardy dressing made lighter with Greek yogurt. Toss it together in minutes to serve with your favorite smoky barbecue dishes.
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Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
An easy summer favorite, but the addition of bright Mediterranean-inspired flavors makes it even better. This side dish is light, fresh, healthy, and wonderful to serve with all of your favorite Greek dinners or grilled summertime meals.
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Sesame Zucchini Noodles
A veggie-packed version of a favorite Asian-style noodle salad, when you toss yourspiralized zucchini noodlesin an easy, flavor-packedpeanut sauce, you have a delicious everyone will dig in to. Add chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal.
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Pineapple Coleslaw
It's not the same old slaw recipe! With a tropical twist from pineapple and macadamia nuts, you'll love it with summery grilled steaks, chicken, and seafood.
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More Vegetable Salad Recipes
- Creamy Broccoli Salad from Yummy Healthy Easy
- Fresh Vegetable Salad from Bread Booze Bacon
- Tomato Salad from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Creamy Carrot Salad from Spend with Pennies
Bound Salads
Even if you aren’t familiar with the name of this category of salads, you are definitely well-acquainted with this type of salad. It includes potato salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, and any other grain or protein. Generally, mayonnaise or another creamy dressing holds these salads together, though sometimes you’ll find them coated in a vinaigrette. There are options for everyone!
Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad
Lighten up your next barbecue while you level up the flavors. Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt, add just enough sharp blue cheese and salty bacon to make it so delicious that it'll disappear in minutes.
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Tropical Chicken Salad
Pineapple and macadamia nuts add fresh and fruity flair to your usual chicken salad recipe while Greek yogurt makes it light and healthy. Serve it on a sandwich or over salad greens.
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Mexican Pasta Salad
This hearty saladis loaded with black beans, corn, red peppers, and a creamy Southwestern Dressing made with Greek yogurt. It has a kicked-up zesty flavor, and you can make it with gluten free noodles!
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Waldorf Chicken Salad
A classic updated with Greek yogurt, it has the perfect mix of sweet and savory with juicy grapes and the crunch of walnuts. You won't go back to your plain old chicken salad after you try this recipe.
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Instant Pot Potato Salad
Make your picnic favorite super fast, cooking the potatoes and eggs together! This creamy, healthy, and hearty summer side dish that comes together in a snap, and it so flavorful with onions, pickles, celery and a savory Dijon dressing.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
You can serve this healthy and colorful side salad hot or cold, and it's great for meal prep. Tossing the quinoa and squash with a simple balsamic dressing and pomegranate seeds gives it lots of great seasonal flavors.
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Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Made with Greek yogurt and ingredients from classic Tzatziki sauce plus the salty bite of feta cheese, this easy chicken salad is a fresh and healthy twist on the traditional recipe. Serve it in pitas, lettuce wraps, on a salad, and more.
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Spicy Sesame Noodles
Whether you serve it as a hot side dish or a cold salad, these flavor-packed noodles have the rich flavor of sesame and the nutty taste of peanut butter The perfect blend of sweetness and spice will leave everyone reaching for seconds.
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Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
This staple summer side dish will be the hit of your summer BBQs when you add all of your favorite flavors. Smoky bacon and and all the seasonings that give Ranch the savory flavor you love will make this the best potato salad ever.
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Mango Avocado Quinoa Chicken Salad
Combine the protein and grains from both types of bound salad into one amazing dish. Sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice, super colorful, this hearty salad is perfect for a cool dinner or lunches all week.
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Honey BBQ Chicken Salad
With the savory flavor of your favorite BBQ sauce, this isn't your usual chicken salad recipe. Try something new for lunch this week and pile it on sandwiches, lettuce wraps, and so much more.
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More Bound Salad Recipes
- Chicken Salad Sandwich from Belly Full
- Roasted Potato Herb Salad from Culinary Ginger
- Chicken Souvlaki Pasta Salad from Lemons for Lulu
- Jalapeno Popper Macaroni Salad from The Chunky Chef
- Italian Orzo Pasta Salad from The Taylor House
- Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad from Taste of the Frontier
Fruit Salads
Fruit salads are always a summertime favorite. But with different fruits in season at various times of the year, there is truly a fruit salad recipe for any occasion. Whether you prefer crisp or juicy, plain or dresses, simple or fancy, there are so many ways to enjoy a sweet salad option.
Waldorf Fruit Salad
A fun, festive mixture of seasonal fruits tossed with a honey Greek yogurt dressing and toasted walnuts for crunch. Perfect for any breakfast or brunch on a holiday or any day.
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Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad
The light honey lime dressing makes this medley of fresh watermelon and seasonal berries burst with sweet flavors. Plus the festive colors and stars make it the perfect addition to all of the summer holidays.
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Healthy Apple Candy Bar Salad
If you love Snickers Salad, you'll enjoy this healthier version made with crisp apples coated in honey and Greek yogurt. Don't forget the peanuts and dark chocolate for that yummy candy bar flavor!
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Tropical Fruit Salad
Layers of the best fruit from the tropics make this lovely salad look like a beautiful sunrise. Don't forget the clouds of coconut chia cream for a creamy topping that adds extra superfood nutrition.
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More Fruit Salad Recipes
- Honey Lime Fruit Salad from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pecan Crunch Grape Salad from Wishes and Dishes
- Winter Fruit Salad from The Mediterranean Dish
