Fresh, Fast & Flavorful: 13 Healthy Salads You’ll Be Excited to Eat
Think salads are just a side? Think again! These healthy salad recipes deliver fresh, fast, and flavorful salads that won’t feel like a chore to eat, you’ll love these salads! We have everything from classics like taco salad to more modern options with Mediterranean flavors.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
You’ll love this Greek orzo pasta salad with bright, fresh flavors and satisfying, salty bites! It’s made with classic Greek ingredients like crunchy and crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, salty feta, and fresh dill. Everything is tossed with tender pasta and a red wine vinaigrette for a salad that’s utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Salad.
Taco Salad
If you love a classic taco salad, you will always be happy to see this recipe on the menu. It’s quick, easy, and always hits the spot. Ground beef cooks super fast, making it a great weeknight option. Put out all of the salad components and let everyone make their own salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad.
Lemon Kale Salad
This easy lemon kale salad recipe is made with crunchy lacinato kale, a bright lemon dressing, and extra flavor from crunchy panko and shredded Parmesan cheese. After my cousin brought this kale salad to Thanksgiving one year, it was requested year after year – it’s that good! You can make this delicious salad ahead of time so that you aren’t adding extra work to your meal. Just keep the dressing to the side and mix it in right before serving.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad.
Italian Chopped Salad
Quite possibly my all-time favorite salad and maybe yours, too, this is our go-to house salad and the side to so many dinners. This is the perfect chopped salad – crunchy, well-balanced, and tossed in a flavorful homemade red wine vinaigrette. Each bite is packed with bold Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.
Southwest Salad
The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad
When you’re in the mood for a salad that’s incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what you’re going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.
Big Mac Salad
Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main course dinner salad.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.
Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy napa cabbage slaw recipe is the best coleslaw! Crunchy napa cabbage is studded with blue cheese crumbles and tossed in an easy and flavorful vinaigrette dressing. This easy coleslaw recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and 8 easy ingredients that you probably already have.
Get the Recipe: Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw.
Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean pasta salad could be a main dish on its own, but it’s also a tasty side dish for many different entrees. This salad has it all with sweet, crunchy, chewy, acidic, and salty flavors in each and every bite. You’re going to love it.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
You’ll love this classic cucumber salad! Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with onions and a simple sour cream dressing, this gets better as it sits in the fridge. It’s easy to prep and made with simple ingredients, it’s a staple at our house, especially when the garden cucumbers are flowing.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Slaw
This shaved Brussels sprouts slaw is so easy to make and always a hit. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cilantro, and pistachios are combined with a tasty homemade vinaigrette dressing. It’s healthy, delicious, and stands up to the dressing making it a great salad to prep ahead or take to parties.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Slaw.
Persimmon Arugula Salad
This winter salad is full of flavor from peppery arugula, juicy persimmon, creamy avocado, feta cheese, pistachios, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s simple, tasty, takes just 10 minutes to prep, and is an incredible holiday side dish.
Get the Recipe: Persimmon Arugula Salad.
Roasted Beet & Butternut Squash Salad
This salad screams fall! The beets and butternut squash are roasted for a soft, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the peppery arugula and creamy goat cheese. It’s all topped with a simple balsamic vinaigrette and pepitas for some crunch.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet & Squash Salad.
