60 Best Salad Recipes

Here are my all-time favorite salad recipes, from crisp green salads and hearty grain and bean salads to pasta salads: each one a proven crowd-pleaser worth making on repeat!

Salad recipes

Over the 15 years I’ve spent developing recipes, I’ve learned that a good salad isn’t just about the ingredients: it’s also about contrasts. You need something crunchy against something creamy, something sharp against something sweet, and lots of bright bursts of colors.

When someone asks me what foods I eat the most, I always reply “a good salad!” Here’s a collection of my favorite salad recipes I actually love eating. Each and every one of them was made by me and tested on my real-life family. I’ve organized them by type so you can find what you’re looking for. Let’s salad!

Table of Contents

Green Salad Recipes

Green salads are the foundation of my salad repertoire. These recipes star with fresh lettuces, kale, or mixed greens.

Vegetable and Fruit Salad Recipes

These vegetable salad recipes are built with vegetables at the center (and don’t include leafy greens). Think sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and celery for vegetables, or mangoes or watermelon for fruit.

Bean Salad Recipes

These lentil and bean salad recipes feature protein-packed legumes, which make them filling and great as side dishes or for lunches.

Grain Salad Recipes

These grain salad recipes feature whole grains at the center, like quinoa, barley, farro, and rice. They make for hearty main dishes and great lunch salads.

Pasta Salad Recipes

These pasta salad recipes star chewy pasta as the main event, like spirals, bowties, tortellini or orzo. Or, see all my best cold pasta salad recipes.

Seasonal Salad Inspiration

Spring salad ideas

Spring brings tender lettuces, fresh peas, and the first strawberries. My spring salad recipes celebrate delicate flavors with light vinaigrettes and gentle seasonings.

Summer salad recipes

Summer is peak salad season, when tomatoes are at their best and fresh herbs are abundant. These summer salads are refreshing and perfect for hot weather produce.

Fall and winter salads

Don’t put away your salad bowls when the weather cools! My fall salad recipes and winter salads feature roasted vegetables, hearty grains, and warm spices.

The Best Homemade Salad Dressings

No salad collection is complete without great salad dressing recipes. I make all my own because they taste better and don’t contain preservatives.

My go-to balsamic vinaigrette works with almost any salad combination. For creamy options, I love my homemade ranch dressing and Caesar dressing. When I want something bright and herby, my Green Goddess dressing is ideal.

Another fan favorite dressing is my easy Italian dressing.

Pro tip: I always make dressing in small batches for the freshest flavor. Most homemade vinaigrettes will keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Many of these salad recipes are perfect for meal prep, but there are some tricks to keep them fresh.

Green salads don’t last well with dressing. I like to prepare all the components but keep the dressing separate until serving. Delicate greens are best prepared the day you plan to eat them.

For grain and bean salads, often they can be prepared in advance and even gain salad over time. For all types of salads, glass containers work best for storage because they don’t retain odors or stain like plastic can.

Frequently Asked Questions

I need some protein to feel full. How can I add protein to my salad?

There are many ways to add protein to your salad! Here are a few ideas:
Meat: Grilled chicken, steak, or sauteed shrimp.
Fish: Canned or baked salmon, canned or seared tuna, or flaky white fish.
Eggs: Hard-boiled eggsscrambled eggs, or even a soft-boiled egg on top.
Beans and lentils: A great source of protein and fiber. Try chickpeasblack beans, or lentils.
Tofu or tempeh: Baked tofu, pan fried tofu or marinated tempeh adds a satisfying meaty texture to vegetarian salads.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, and hemp seeds all offer protein and healthy fats.

Salads always seem soggy! How can I prevent that?

Here are some tips to prevent soggy salads:
Dressing on the side: Dress your salad right before eating to avoid wilting greens.
Dry your greens thoroughly: Wash and spin your greens dry before adding them to the salad bowl. If they are very wet, consider blotting them with a towel.
Use sturdy greens: Kale, romaine, and Brussels sprouts hold up better to dressings than delicate greens like spinach or baby arugula.

I’m looking for salad inspiration beyond lettuce. What are some interesting salad bases?

There’s a whole world beyond lettuce! Here are some unique salad base ideas:
Arugula: Peppery and slightly bitter, perfect for strong-flavored dressings.
Kale: Nutrient-dense and can be massaged to soften.
Quinoa: A complete protein source that adds a nutty flavor.
Roasted vegetables: Roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts add warmth and texture.
Shredded cabbage or broccoli slaw: Offers a crunchy base.

How can I make salad dressings at home?

Homemade dressings are easy and healthy! The recipes above feature recipes for classic vinaigrettes and creamy dressings.

Can salads be a complete meal?

Absolutely! By incorporating protein and whole grains, salads can be a satisfying and well-balanced meal.

How can I store leftover salad?

It’s best to store salad components separately. Keep greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store cooked proteins, dressings, and croutons in separate containers.



from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/B4htM2e

0 Comments