27 Exciting Salad Recipes Beyond the Ordinary

We all love a classic lettuce and tomato, but lunchtime can get a little…snoozy. That's why we've created a giant list of 27 salad recipes that are anything but ordinary!

From Asian-inspired noodle salads to hearty protein bowls, this list has something for everyone. We've got options for vegetarians, meat lovers, and everyone in between. Dive in and discover a whole new world of salad possibilities today!

Cannellini Bean Salad with Cashew Cheese

This Cannellini Bean Salad is healthy, flavorful, and satisfying. Made with white beans, juicy roasted bell peppers, olives, marinated red onions, and dollops of vegan cashew cheese, it's the perfect cold side dish or easy lunch. A good option for picnics, potluck, or work lunches too. Get the recipe.

Easy Burger Salad

This recipe for the Burger 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

Korean Style Spicy Carrot Salad

Crunchy and Spicy Korean Carrots Salad will win people over at potlucks, and picnics, and as a unique side dish in any home. Made with fresh carrots, coriander, garlic, and oil, these Korean-style marinated carrots are easy, quick, and always delicious! Ready in 20 minutes. Get the recipe.

Swiss Chard and Chickpea Salad

What can you make with Swiss chard? A lot more than just soups and stir-fries. Here is an easy, healthy, and colorful Swiss chard salad with apple and chickpeas recipe to try out. Ingredients are readily available and simple to find. This fresh salad is perfect for summer dinner, picnic, or potluck. 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.

Napa Cabbage Salad

This Healthy Napa Cabbage Salad aka Slaw is a quick 5 -ingredient side dish recipe that is great to take on a picnic or serve alongside tacos or other mains. It's simple, vegan, and doesn't contain mayo. Get the recipe.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Black Beans

This Roasted Butternut Squash, Black Bean, and Quinoa Salad is one of the easiest, most flavorful fall salad recipes, full of nutrients and healthy ingredients. Served warm or cold, this delicious salad is also a great make-ahead lunch for work or back to school. Vegan and Gluten-free. Get the recipe.

Spicy 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.

Healthy Potato Salad

This Potato Salad with cucumber and tomato in a garlicky yogurt sauce is all you need for potlucks or BBQs. This simple salad is so easy to make and it's creamy and delicious. Get the recipe.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Crunchy Topping

Simple but so delicious Heirloom Tomato Salad made with fresh heirloom tomatoes and addictive crunchy topping! Super easy and healthy summer side dish that goes with everything! You'll be hooked! Get the recipe.

Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad

This lively and flavorful Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad is an ideal dish that's both festive and delectable! It's the perfect recipe for a quick and impressive meal when entertaining guests or having dinner with friends. 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.

Beet, Potato and Pickle Salad

Vinegret Salad provides a scrumptious and more nutritious substitute for the traditional American Potato Salad. This Ukrainian classic recipe contains cooked beets, potatoes, and carrots combined with zesty dill pickles and green peas to create a flavorful and satisfying side dish or dinner option. Get the recipe.

Radicchio Salad with Homemade Dressing

Are you in the mood for a refreshing and flavorful dish? If yes, then this Radicchio Salad recipe is just what you need. This side dish boasts a mix of tart, sweet, and slightly bitter flavors that blend together to create a unique and delicious salad! The crunch from the radicchio, matchstick apple slices, and carrot ribbons, coupled with the bite from pumpkin seeds, is super satisfying! Get the recipe.

Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad)

For us Dominicans, there is no need to dress up an avocado, but you can fancify it a bit in this simple Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad). Get the recipe.

 Orzo Salad

Orzo Salad might be the perfect summer side-dish. Orzo is rice shaped pasta, typically made from wheat, but in this recipe we are using a low FODMAP gluten-free version. This salad includes colorful, juicy, and crunchy cucumbers and tomatoes. A lemony salad dressing works beautifully with the fresh dill and parsley. Get the recipe.

 Fennel, Mango and Celery Salad

If you are looking for a light, crisp and refreshing salad this Fennel, Mango, and Celery Salad is for you!  It's easy to put together and topped with olive oil vinaigrette.  Get the recipe.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Blue Cheese and Crispy Shallots

This easy tomato salad is made with heirloom tomatoes, creamy blue cheese, a sweet + tangy sherry vinaigrette and topped with a mound of crispy fried shallots. Get the recipe.

Arugula Salad with Dried Figs

This this arugula salad with dried figs has alllllll of the salad components you need to make a flavorful, satisfying, and crave-worthy salad. Get the recipe.

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. 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.

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.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

This broccoli salad with bacon, sunflower seeds, and a creamy homemade mayonnaise dressing is so easy to make! It's the perfect salad to bring to potlucks and summer parties because it's always a huge crowd-pleaser! Get the recipe.

Persimmon Salad

Sweet ripe persimmons shine in this salad with crisp greens, prosciutto, cranberries, goat cheese and toasted pecans.

This persimmon salad is a wonderful addition to any holiday spread while still easy enough to throw together for a seasonal lunch or dinner. Get the recipe.

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. Get the recipe.

BLT Salad with Homemade Salad Dressing

A BLT salad loaded with fresh lettuce, crispy bacon, bright tomatoes, crunchy croutons and homemade lemon mayo salad dressing is exceptional. This is the best simple & easy salad! Enjoy it as a delicious lunch or a hearty side dish. Get the recipe.

Avocado Tomato Salad

Healthy and so flavorful, this Avocado Tomato Salad makes a great addition to your dinner or lunch. This is one of the most loved recipes in my family! Get the recipe.