Best Salad Recipes

While theres something about the idea of salad for dinner that seems particularly groan-worthy, thats only because all too often our idea of a salad doesnt match up with what salad, as a category of food, actually has to offer. The 15 options below not only represent some of the best salad recipes Serious Eats has developed, they also pull from a range of countries, cultures, and cooking techniques. In addition to the dressing-on-greens rendition were all familiar with youll find crunchy shaved winter vegetables, flaked fish, crispy fried eggs, plump beans, beautifully dressed noodles, rich mayo-bound sandwich fillings, and all kinds of herbs. Forget salads you need; these are salads you want.

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best salad recipes

Best Salad Recipes: Easy Greek Salad

best salad recipes

One of our favorite salad recipes! This easy Greek salad recipe is a flavorful, refreshing side dish!

Prep: 10min

Total: 15min

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (more for sprinkling)
  • ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 English cucumber (cut lengthwise, seeded, and sliced ¼-inch thick)
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped into 1-inch pieces)
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 5 ounces feta cheese (cut into ½ inch cubes)
  • ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instruction:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard, salt, and several grinds of pepper.
  2. On a large platter, arrange the cucumber, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, red onions, and olives. Drizzle with the dressing and very gently toss. Sprinkle with a few generous pinches of oregano and top with the mint leaves. Season to taste and serve.

50 Salad Recipes: Best Chopped Salad & More!

best salad recipes

This chopped salad recipe will amaze everyone around the table! Italian dressing, crunchy veggies and Parmesan combine into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Prep: 15min

Total: 15min

Yield: 4

Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 111 calories, Sugar 1.3 g, Sodium 49.6 mg, Fat 11.3 g, Saturated Fat 1.9 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 2.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.5 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg

Ingredients:

  • 1 recipe Homemade Italian Dressing
  • 1 Romaine heart (3 cups)
  • 5 cups leafy lettuce
  • 1 large shallot
  • 1 English cucumber (2 cups chopped)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup ripe green olives, halved
  • 1/2 cup jarred sliced pepperoncini
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan shavings or shreds, plus more to serve
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Instruction:

  1. Make the Homemade Italian Dressing.
  2. Chop romaine and lettuce. Thinly slice the shallot. Peel and chop cucumber. Slice tomatoes and olives in half.
  3. Mix together all the ingredients for the salad, including the dressing, and toss to combine. If making in advance, refrigerate the components separately; bring the dressing to room temperature before serving.

40 Best Salad Recipes

best salad recipes

Browse over 40 best most popular salad recipes including classic summer salads, salad with fruit, Mexican salads, Asian salads, and fall and winter salads.

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 4

Nutrition Facts: calories 120 calories

Ingredients:

  • Refer to each post for required ingredients.

Instruction:

  1. Make ahead instructions: Almost all of these salads can be made ahead of time. My biggest suggestion is to store the ingredients separately from the dressing, and toss when ready to serve. To prep ahead of time, you can chop up all the ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  2. How to store: If you do have leftovers, most salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Refer to the specific recipe post for complete storing instructions.
  3. How to customize. Most salad recipes are versatile and completely customizable. You can add in different vegetables or add in extra protein such as grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, salmon, or tofu.

The Best Salad You’ll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101

FAQ

What is the Jennifer Aniston salad recipe?

The Jennifer Aniston Salad combines bulgur wheat, cucumbers, chickpeas, feta cheese, red onion, fresh herbs, and pistachios – all tossed with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing. It’s fresh, filling, and fantastic!

What is the most popular salad?

Caesar salad is famous for its ingredients of romaine lettuce, olive oil, raw egg, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. Together, they make one of the most popular salads in the world.

What are the 5 types of salads?

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What is the secret to making a good salad?

The secret to a good salad
  • Be gentle with lettuce. Balsamic dressing. …
  • Serve up perfect avocado. Forget lemon juice or cold water – the only way to stop an avocado going brown in a salad is to peel and chop them right before serving. …
  • Say goodbye to onion tears. …
  • Adore your dressing. …
  • Sprinkle in some protein.
About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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