Salads can steal the show without tasting like you’re on a permanent diet. Let’s toss those boring salads to the side and dig into ones that are all about big taste. Here are 11 family favorites up our sleeves that will have you admiring your bowl of greens. Grab your bowl and get ready — it’s salad, but not as you know it!
Shirazi Salad
It’s a common misconception that salads must be bland to be healthy, but that’s not the case with this dish. Shirazi Salad complete with a dressing that brings its own personality, this option proves you don’t need to sacrifice flavor for nutrition. It’s an enjoyable choice for anyone who wants to keep things fresh and vibrant on their plate, without feeling like they’re missing out on something more indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Wild Rice Salad
For a heartier feel without straying from the wholesome path, look no further. Wild Rice Salad offers a textural variety that keeps things interesting. It’s a perfect meal for those days when you want something substantial yet healthy, tossing aside the idea that salads are just rabbit food. This one suits a nice lunch or can easily hold its own as the centerpiece during dinner.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
When the ordinary garden salad just won’t cut it, there’s a more robust option. Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad strikes the perfect balance between comfort and health. It’s a versatile dish that fits just as well in a meal prep plan as it does on a picnic table, proving that salads can indeed be main course contenders. This particular salad knows how to be filling without weighing you down.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Pizza Pasta Salad
Sometimes, all you want is the taste of a guilty pleasure without the actual guilt. Pizza Pasta Salad is a playful twist on a classic favorite, providing a familiar flavor in a not-so-expected form. It’s the kind of salad that can make a whole room pause and take notice, challenging the preconceived notion that salads are merely side dishes. Opt for this when you’re craving something different yet reassuringly wholesome.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Cucumber Salad with Feta
On those warmer days when you need something cool and refreshing, this salad fits the bill. Cucumber Salad with Feta is like a breath of fresh air, light yet noticeably satisfying. It’s an excellent choice for a side dish or a light snack, and it has a knack for being both uncomplicated and appealing. Whether it’s for a casual lunch or as part of a larger feast, it holds its own with a subtle flair.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
If you’re in the mood for something that transports you to a sunny coast without the airfare, here it is. Mediterranean Chopped Salad doesn’t just nod to its regional inspiration—it embraces it fully. With a combination that’s been enjoyed for generations, it offers a historical taste without feeling outdated. It’s a vibrant addition to any meal, one that adds color and nutrition in equal measure.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
When you’re in the mood for something that’s as exciting to eat as it is easy to prepare, consider Chinese Chicken Salad. This dish is a hit at our family gatherings, proving that salads can be the main event. It’s packed with flavors that remind you this is far from your average leafy dish. It’s the kind of salad that even those who normally skip the greens will line up for.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
For those days when you want something hearty but still light, Easy Salmon Pasta Salad hits the spot. Our family loves how it breaks the mold of traditional salads with its rich undertones. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a side dish that impresses guests without any fuss. Dig into a dish that redefines what salad can be in the most delicious way.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Welcome the warmer days with Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes, a vibrant addition to any meal. This salad brings a burst of freshness to the table, making it a family favorite for outdoor gatherings. It’s like a celebration of spring on your plate, without ever feeling like you’re just eating ‘diet food.’ This is one of those dishes that convinces you seasonality can be incredibly tasty.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Steak & Pasta Salad
When meat lovers hear the word salad, they might be skeptical, but Steak & Pasta Salad changes the game. It combines the heartiness of steak with the lightness of a salad, making it a beloved dish for everyone in the family. It’s our go-to for when we want something substantial yet refreshing. This dish proves that salads can be just as robust and full-flavored as any main course.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is one of those salads that even the most avid salad skeptics can’t get enough of. With its unique flavors, it stands out as a dish that brings something new and exciting to the table. It’s a frequent request at family dinners, showcasing that salads don’t have to be about restrictions or dieting. This salad brings a world of flavors, making it a journey worth taking with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes