24 Side Salad Recipes to Round Out Your Meal

Favorite Mediterranean Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Favorite Mediterranean Salad

This lively Greek-inspired salad is the perfect side for hearty dishes like this slow-cooked lemon chicken orzo or Mediterranean kofta meatballs. It makes 28 servings, so pull this recipe out when you’re having a big get-together, or cut the recipe down if it’s just for the family.

“Do you have a crowd coming over for a potluck? This big, crispy salad can accompany any main dish you have planned.” —Recipe contributor Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas

Dan Roberts for Taste Recipes

Nutty Green Salad

This elegant simple salad of spring mix, carrot and crunchy pecans makes the perfect accompaniment to richer entrees, like cheesy homemade lasagna or any meat and potatoes dish. Elevate the salad even further by mixing in goat cheese crumbles and sliced pear.

“This is a deliciously different summer salad just for two. You’ll want to try the light curry-orange dressing!” —Recipe contributor Barbara Robbins, Chandler, Arizona

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Simple Italian Salad

While these homemade croutons are made from cubed Italian bread, feel free to use any day-old bread you have on hand. For even more cheesy goodness, add creamy mozzarella pearls. And opt for the best olives you can buy.

“Homemade croutons star in this easy Italian salad recipe filled with grape tomatoes, olives and pepperoncinis. I like to serve it with fresh Italian or focaccia bread.” —Recipe contributor Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa

Dad's Greek Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Greek Salad

This tangy Greek salad is the perfect side for vibrant Mediterranean dishes, and it makes a delicious crunchy base for grilled proteins like chicken and salmon. To make it a chopped salad, cut all of the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and serve over chopped romaine.

“The heart of a Greek salad is in the olives, feta and fresh veggies. Dress it with oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese.” —Recipe contributor Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

Caesar Salad

Making Caesar salad from scratch takes a few extra minutes of effort but the flavor payoff is huge, thanks to fresh garlic, lemon and a touch of ground mustard. Unlike traditional Caesar, this version doesn’t contain anchovies. If you have anchovy paste to use up, make this Caesar salad dressing instead.

“This crunchy, refreshing Caesar salad has a zippy, zesty dressing that provides a burst of flavor with each bite. It’s a fantastic salad to perk up any spring or summer meal.” —Recipe contributor Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware

Mark Derse For Taste Recipes

Wilted Endive Salad

Bitter endive lettuce becomes slightly wilted (and more mild-tasting) when drizzled with a rich, warm bacon dressing in this sophisticated salad. If you don’t care for endive, swap in any leafy green, like arugula or kale.

“The blend of seasonings, greens and warm bacon dressing makes this salad a sure hit. My guess is that it’ll be a favorite at your next gathering.” —Recipe contributor Mildred Davis, Hagerstown, Maryland

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Strawberry Arugula Salad

Delicate baby spinach is another great green to add to this sweet-and-savory side salad, which is dressed in an herbaceous vinaigrette. Top it with grilled chicken or baked salmon for a satisfying light lunch.

“The combination of peppery arugula, sweet strawberries and robust feta cheese may sound unusual, but one bite wins over taste buds.” —Recipe contributor Carla Horne, Meridian, Mississippi

Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad

Citrus lovers can’t go wrong with this simple romaine salad starring artichoke hearts and a zippy lemon dressing. A sprinkling of shredded Parmesan brings the whole dish together. (Crunchy homemade cheese crisps also make a fun add-on!)

“I created this dish when I was trying to duplicate a very lemony Caesar salad. This version is not only delicious but more healthful, too.” —Recipe contributor Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

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Kiwi-Strawberry Spinach Salad

This fruit-filled spinach salad with fresh strawberries, kiwis and a raspberry vinaigrette is a gorgeous side salad to serve at dinner parties during summertime. A sprinkling of poppy seeds and sesame seeds add subtle nuttiness and crunch.

“This pretty salad is always a hit when I serve it! The recipe came from a cookbook, but I personalized it. Sometimes just a small change in ingredients can make a big difference.” —Recipe contributor Laura Pounds, Andover, Kansas

Taste Recipes

Four-Berry Spinach Salad

Combining red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice in a rich vinaigrette helps make baby spinach and juicy berries really pop. The hint of warm cinnamon and allspice in the dressing will have guests wondering what the secret ingredients are.

“Enjoy some of nature’s candy in this berry-filled salad. Its slightly tart dressing contrasts deliciously with sweet in-season fruit.” —Recipe contributor Betty Lise Anderson, Gahanna, Ohio

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Super Italian Chopped Salad

Upgrade your side salad game by loading it with briny olives, provolone cheese and pieces of your favorite cured meat, like hard salami. Find pickled pepperoncini peppers in the olive section of your grocery store, and add them on top for delightful tanginess.

“Antipasto ingredients are sliced and diced to make this substantial salad. I like to buy sliced meat from the deli and chop it all so we can get a bit of everything in each bite.” —Recipe contributor Kim Molina, Duarte, California

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Bacon Caesar Salad

Salad skeptics will be completely won over by this bacon-topped Caesar, which features garlicky homemade croutons. Don’t be scared of the anchovy paste in the dressing; it adds the best subtle salty flavor.

“Family and friends always say my Caesar salad rivals any restaurant version. The addition of bacon is a little untraditional, but it lends a slightly smoky flavor and makes it unique.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida

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Wilted Curly Endive

Serve this savory endive salad with main courses that have a bit of sweetness to contrast with the lettuce’s bitterness. Glazed salmon or barbecued chicken would be perfect. Another type of endive is long and narrow Belgian endive, which is perfect for hors d’oeuvres like this cranberry endive appetizer.

“This warm salad is a deliciously different way to serve lettuce. Unlike other wilted versions, this one is not sweet. Vinegar and bacon give it old-fashioned savory goodness.” —Recipe contributor Chere Bell, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste Recipes

Spinach and Beet Salad

Goat cheese is great in salads because it offers concentrated bursts of salty flavor. Paired with sweet roasted beets and toasted walnuts? You can’t go wrong.

“Here’s a super easy salad that looks and tastes festive for this wonderful Christmas season. Vinaigrette dressing coats the greens nicely.” —Recipe contributor Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario

Dan Roberts for Taste Recipes

Fennel Salad with Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Crunchy, sweet, tangy and savory, this elegant side dish has everything you want in a salad. Once you start cooking with fennel, you’ll never want to stop. Thinly sliced bulbs add a soft licorice taste and beautiful crunchiness to the top of any salad.

“A sweet balsamic vinaigrette always pulls everything together in a delicious harmony of flavors. Raspberries are one of my very favorite fruits, so I’m always eager to find a new use for them.” —Recipe contributor Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

Mark Derse for Taste Recipes

Italian Fresh Vegetable Salad

Turn this zesty Italian salad into a well-rounded meal by mixing in chopped prosciutto or cubed leftover chicken. Work your way through more of our quick salads that come together in 30 minutes or less when you need your side salads in a hurry.

“Garden-fresh veggies are a hit at community potlucks. I carry the dressing in a mason jar to add just before serving.” —Recipe contributor Jeanette Hildebrand, Stafford, Kansas

SARAH TRAMONTE For Taste Recipes

Chef Salad

Loaded with garden veggies, hard-boiled eggs, deli turkey and ham, chef salads have everything you want in a meal or a filling side. Creamy Thousand Island salad dressing is a great option for chef salads, but any homemade salad dressing will do the trick.

“For much of the year, I can use my garden’s produce when I make this cool salad. In spring, the salad mix and radishes come from my crop. In summer, I use the tomatoes, cabbage and carrots. What a good feeling!” —Recipe contributor Evelyn Gubernath, Bucyrus, Ohio

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Fattoush Salad

Crispy homemade pita chips soak up tasty lemon dressing in this classic fattoush salad that you can prepare with any type of lettuce. If you have leftover pita bread, try out some more tasty pita recipes.

“This type of bread salad is very popular in the Middle East. It uses sumac, which is a distinctive spice that adds an acidic flavor to dishes, as does lemon juice.” —Recipe contributor Stephanie Khio, Bloomingdale, Illinois

Peach Caprese Salad

With milky buffalo mozzarella, sweet peaches and juicy heirloom tomatoes, this makes for one of the most elegant summer salads. Luscious burrata is another creamy Italian cheese to use in Caprese.

“During summer, I like to use the fresh ingredients I receive weekly from my local food share, and that’s how this salad was created. I use large balls of mozzarella torn into pieces, but you could use smaller mozzarella pearls.” —Recipe contributor Mounir Echariti, Mendham, New Jersey

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Kale Caesar Salad

Hearty kale is a match made in heaven for rich and creamy Caesar dressing, and this quick salad is one of the most delicious ways to get your greens in. Mix in crispy roasted chickpeas for even more fiber and crunch.

“I love Caesar salads, so I created this blend of kale and romaine lettuce with a creamy Caesar dressing. It is perfect paired with chicken or steak for a light weeknight meal.” —Recipe contributor Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Prosciutto, Pear & Burrata Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Prosciutto, Pear & Burrata Salad

This is a special occasion salad if we ever saw one. With silky prosciutto, peppery arugula, sweet pear and creamy dollops of burrata, the dish looks like a creation from your favorite Italian restaurant. Pair with a crisp white wine.

“The idea for this salad came when we ordered a restaurant appetizer that was prosciutto, burrata, a little arugula and olive oil. I was inspired to make it into a salad with just a few more ingredients. Instead of pears, try the salad with melon or peaches.” —Recipe contributor Emily Miles, Sherman Oaks, California

Peach & Burrata Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Peach Burrata Salad

Peach recipes are the best way to make the most of summer’s bounty, and this peachy salad is savory, rich and just the right amount of sweet. Mixing muddled fresh raspberries with a bit of champagne vinegar and olive oil makes a fantastic sweet-tart vinaigrette.

“The star of this salad is the creamy burrata cheese. It sits on a bed of arugula with grilled peaches, rustic croutons, pistachios, basil and homemade raspberry vinaigrette. Peaches have that perfect sweet-tart taste that cuts the richness of the cheese. No grill? Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook peaches three to four minutes per side until just golden.” —Recipe contributor Grace Vallo, Salem, New Hampshire

Cranberry Orzo Spinach Salad Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Cranberry Orzo Spinach Salad

Tiny orzo pasta mixes easily with baby spinach and feta to make this picnic-perfect pasta salad, which you can also make with rice. Serve with any simple protein like grilled salmon in foil or roast chicken.

“My daughter-in-law’s sister brought a salad to a family function, and I immediately fell in love with it. When I got home, I created my own version using my particular preferences and what I had in my pantry and fridge. With its citrusy vinaigrette, briny capers, salty feta and sweet-tart dried cranberries, it’s the perfect combination of flavors.” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Nystrom, Pooler, Georgia

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Copycat Olive Garden Salad and Dressing

Serve this crunchy restaurant-worthy salad alongside any easy Italian dinner or comforting pasta dish. While you’re at it, whip up some fluffy homemade breadsticks and any of these other copycat Olive Garden recipes.

“Make your favorite Olive Garden salad at home in just 20 minutes with this fresh and creamy recipe. This copycat recipe is sweet, tangy and textured just like the original.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Side Salad FAQ

How do you arrange and present a side salad?

Serve your side salads from a large bowl that can be passed around the table, or toss the salad ahead of time and plate individually. Traditionally, side salad plates go on the left side of a table setting, and they’re usually around eight inches in diameter. Make sure all the ingredients are chopped uniformly so guests don’t have to do any work. That includes pitting the olives!

What’s an easy side salad for a crowd?

Plenty of our favorite easy salads are recipes with five ingredients or less. We love these simple make-ahead salads that you can prep, put in the fridge and forget abount until it’s time to serve them. In a pinch, top salad mix or baby spinach with your favorite dressing and any of these tasty salad toppings.

How do you store leftover salad?

Salad with delicate greens like lettuce, arugula and spinach are always best enjoyed fresh because they start wilting after they’re dressed. Try to store your salad ingredients in separate containers in the fridge, especially dressing, so nothing becomes too soggy. These are our favorite salad containers, and we highly recommend investing in a lettuce keeper so your greens stay as crisp as possible.