63 Lettuce-Free Salads

Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream

It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Gonzo for garbanzos, Eleanor Glofka found a way to duplicate a favorite restaurant recipe at home. “It’s excellent as a side dish, as an appetizer or spooned over a tossed salad,” she writes from Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. “It keeps for days in the refrigerator, but it never lasts that long in my house!”

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

You've probably had this full-of-flavor broccoli salad with bacon at a backyard barbecue. The secret to its fame is a combination of textures and balanced flavor. Here's how to make the very best version.

Caprese Salad

My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we’ve tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah

Tangy Watermelon Salad

The refreshing blend of watermelon, red onions and a splash of citrus always does me proud at picnics and potlucks. I like to prepare it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to blend, and I use the rind as a colorful serving bowl. If you’re short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette. —Alisha Duncan, Blanchard, Oklahoma

Italian Tomato Cucumber Salad

This yummy medley of vegetables is a cool complement to zesty dishes like my fish, and also barbecued meats and poultry. —Florine Bruns, Fredericksburg, Texas

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Tabouli is a super fresh, mostly parsley salad with finely cracked wheat, juicy tomatoes, onion, fresh lemon juice, good quality extra virgin olive oil and a hint of fragrant mint. I added a little gluten-free twist to this recipe by replacing the cracked wheat with quinoa and then added some cucumbers for a nice crunch. For a delicious and colorful appetizer, serve in butter lettuce cups or endive leaves. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland

Cool Beans Salad

This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Fresh Corn Salad

This fresh corn salad uses seasonal ingredients and provides subtly sweet, spicy and zesty bites. The nice part? It takes less than 20 minutes from start to fridge.

Green Bean Salad

Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Carrot and Raisin Salad

This traditional salad is one of my mother-in-law’s favorites. It’s fun to eat because of the crunchy texture, and the raisins give it a slightly sweet flavor. Plus, I love how easy it is to make. —Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

Cowboy Caviar (Corn and Black Bean Salad)

This colorful, crunchy black bean and corn salad is chock-full of nutrition that all ages love. Try it with a variety of summer entrees, or as a wholesome salsa! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon

Kansas Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I’ve heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I’ve never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

Amish Broccoli Salad

This pretty Amish broccoli salad always gets rave reviews when Mom serves it. She fixes it the night before so that the creamy sweet dressing marinates the vegetables.

Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad

I used fresh mozzarella for the first time last year and loved it. I wanted to incorporate it into as many dishes as possible and came up with this tomato cucumber basil salad. It has quickly become a mainstay at my house. —Jennifer Klann, Corbett, Oregon

Tomato Feta Salad

One summer I combined my love for onions with a bumper crop of tomatoes and a homemade balsamic dressing. The result was this salad that receives thumbs-up approval whenever it’s served. —Robert Golus, Greer, South Carolina

Marinated Tomatoes

My niece introduced me to this colorful recipe some time ago. I now make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. This is a great way to use a bumper crop of tomatoes. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia

Zucchini Panzanella Salad

I learned how to make panzanella from my friend’s grandmother. Once I discovered how to make the perfect vinaigrette, it became a dish I crave during the summer. It’s also a great way to use day-old bread and your garden’s bounty of zucchini. —Felicity Wolf, Kansas City, Missouri

Tangy Cilantro Lime Confetti Salad

I love standout salads that burst with flavor—the kind that make you feel as if you’re splurging without having to eat that piece of chocolate cake. This is one of my very favorites, and everyone I serve it to loves it as well. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Summer Squash and Zucchini Salad

I came up with this colorful, tasty zucchini salad years ago for a recipe contest and was delighted when I won honorable mention! The recipe easily doubles and is the perfect dish to take to potlucks or family gatherings. —Paula Wharton, El Paso, Texas

Kale Quinoa Salad

Here’s a holiday side dish you can feel good about serving. Kale packs a mighty punch of vitamins, while quinoa delivers a hearty serving of protein. Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can’t be beat! —Lisa Warren, Washington, DC

Juicy Watermelon Salad

This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan

Burrata Caprese Salad

Creamy burrata cheese and ripe tomatoes are a match made in heaven. This is a perfect appetizer for the summer months when tomatoes and basil are in season. Serve by itself or with crostini. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Quinoa contains more protein than other grains, and that protein is of unusually high quality for a plant food. That makes this a great filling main dish and the blend of flavors and colors will bring everyone at the table back for more.
—Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Peach Mango Caprese Salad

Summer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the harvested goods, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois

Salads Without Lettuce FAQ

What salads are better without lettuce?

Salads that feature robust, hearty or bulky ingredients are better without lettuce, as these additions can easily weigh the lettuce down into a wilted, soggy mess. Dishes with delicate flavors (like pineapple and coconut carrot salad) also fare better without lettuce so the star ingredients can shine without big greens cutting the flavor. Heavy potato salad recipes also work best without lettuce.

Can I make a chopped salad without lettuce?

Yes, you can make a chopped salad without lettuce, and we encourage you to try it out. To convert our Italian chopped salad recipe into a no-lettuce salad, simply use chopped cucumbers and tomatoes instead of lettuce. Or make up your own lettuce-free chopped salad! Chop any fruits and vegetables into small cubes. Add smaller-sized ingredients like beans, croutons, olives or corn, and toss the ingredients with your favorite homemade salad dressing recipes.

How much salad do I need per person?

Salad serving sizes vary based on the ingredients, but you can usually estimate 3/4 to 1 cup of salad per person. Salads with heavy ingredients (like pasta, nuts, beans and seeds) are more filling, so you may only need 1/2 to 3/4 cup of salad per person. Salads with lighter ingredients (like fruits, watery vegetables and herbs) will likely have a larger serving size, so plan on preparing at least 1 cup of salad per person.