20 Unexpected & Delicious Salad Ideas for Any Time of the Year

If you think salads can't be exciting, we've got 20 surprising and tasty salad ideas that will change your mind. From fresh and vibrant to warm and comforting, these recipes will make you crave salads all year round.

Forget limp lettuce and plain tomatoes! These recipes use all sorts of delicious ingredients you might not expect in a salad. We've got options for every taste bud, whether you're a veggie lover or looking for something more satisfying.

These recipes are perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a potluck side dish. Let's get started!

Salmon Salad with Mustard Honey Sauce

Get your healthy eating resolution on with my healthy salmon salad with mustard honey sauce. It's simple, fresh and packed with vegetable goodness. It is a perfect lunch or dinner option for those of you watching your calories. Get the recipe.

Salad with Baby Sweet Peppers, Zucchini and Walnuts

Simple, fast yet super flavorful, this delicious Georgian Salad with Baby Sweet Peppers and Zucchini will make a great potluck recipe or a side dish to your main meal. Can be made on a grill or in a skillet. Get the recipe.

Butternut Squash Salad with Arugula and Feta

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Arugula and Feta cheese is flavorful, easy to make and so delicious. Tossed in a simple Maple Balsamic vinaigrette and topped with crumbled Feta cheese, you'll love every bite of it! Get the recipe.

Roasted Bell Pepper and White Bean Salad

Delicious and simple salad of juicy Roasted Bell Peppers, White Beans, a touch of garlic and a sprinkling of blue cheese. Inspired by Bulgarian cuisine, this side dish comes together quickly and easily. Can be served warm or cold. Get the recipe.

Broccoli and Mushroom Salad 

This Broccoli and Mushroom Salad Recipe features some of my favorite ingredients. Shiitake mushrooms, fresh crunchy broccoli, Kalamata olives, and amazing red onion vinaigrette. So healthy, clean, and perfect for a light dinner, a colorful side, or meal prep. Get the recipe.

Easy Big Mac Salad Recipe

This recipe for the Big Mac salad is made with crunchy iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onion, savory ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and, of course, finished off with the dressing. Enjoy this burger salad with a side of french fries for a familiar and satisfying combo. Get the recipe.

Chicken Romaine Salad with Caramelized Cashews

This easy Chicken Romaine Salad with Honey Caramelized Cashews has all attributes of a healthy and delicious lunch. Get the recipe.

Roasted Beet Salad

A roasted beet salad is prepared by cooking the beets and then marinating them in a few flavorful ingredients. This simple beet recipe is incredibly delicious, healthy, and perfect for any time of the year. Get the recipe.

Warm Potato Salad with Bacon + Long Hots

This Warm Potato Salad with Bacon + Long Hots is my favorite potato salad recipe ever! It has no mayonnaise and tons of flavor from crispy bacon, spicy long hots, sour cream and chives. Get the recipe.

Warm Kale Salad with Prosciutto and Manchego

Warm Kale Salad with Prosciutto and Manchego is a warm and cozy salad that highlights some seriously delicious flavors from the pears, sharp Manchego cheese, and salty prosciutto.  Get the recipe.

Spicy Red Quinoa Salad

A tasty, nutritious quinoa salad with a spicy kick! Great as a meal in itself or as a side dish served with grilled shrimp, chicken, or salmon. A simple 30-minute meal or side dish. Get the recipe.

Radicchio Salad with Homemade Dressing

This Radicchio Salad boasts a mix of tart, sweet, and slightly bitter flavors that blend together to create a unique and delicious dish! The crunch from the radicchio, matchstick apple slices, and carrot ribbons, coupled with the bite from pumpkin seeds, is super satisfying! Get the recipe.

Beetroot and Feta Salad with Fennel and Pine Nuts

With just 15 minutes of active cooking and a few simple steps you can make this flavor packed beetroot and feta salad. Served a bit warm and loaded with beets, feta cheese, fennel and roasted pine nuts it's a salad that works in all seasons - and for any salad skeptic. Get the recipe.

Caesar Salad

This easy Vegan Caesar Salad is so good, you'll never go back to the original. Even omnivores will never know there’re no anchovies or cheese in the dressing. Get the recipe.

Greek Potato Salad with Green Beans

We love this Greek potato salad recipe! Not only is this healthy potato salad made with just a few simple ingredients, but it’s also loaded with flavor, making it a great side dish for so many meals. Get the recipe.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

This roasted sweet potato salad is a perfect side dish to almost any main course, or, it can be enjoyed as a main course all on its own.

This delicious salad is a wonderful cold weather salad that travels well and makes a great lunch that will keep you full until dinner time. Get the recipe.

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

This crispy buffalo chicken salad recipe is loaded with crunchy veggies, cooling ranch dressing, and crispy buffalo chicken! Perfect for weeknight meals. Get the recipe.

Kachumbari (Kenyan Tomato and Onion Salad)

Kachumbari (Kenyan tomato and onion salad) is a light and refreshing East African salad that you can put together in about 15 minutes. It makes a fantastic side dish for your grilled meat, fish, or chicken dinners. Learn the easiest way to make kachumbari! Get the recipe.

Broccoli Salad with Raisins

Broccoli Salad with Raisins is a fresh, easy side salad for your next BBQ or potluck. It only takes less than 30 minutes to make. Get the recipe.

Goat's Cheese Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Walnuts

Sweet, salty and seriously tasty, this goat’s cheese salad is going to make your taste buds explode! Get the recipe.