The Ultimate Roundup of Salad Recipes

January 20, 2021

Looking to find fresh salad ideas to spruce up your lunch routine, make good on a resolution to eat more greens, or just swap out the same old, same old? This roundup is full of variety and flavor, made with upgraded ingredients for restaurant-quality salads right at home. From cleaned-up takes on the classics to hearty and unexpected salad ideas for dinner, this list will help you get your green groove back.

Classic Salads

You’ve probably seen a version of these salads on the menu at your favorite lunch spot or a deli counter. Don’t take a chance on soggy lettuce doused in salty, less-than-stellar dressings; make these favorites at home with cleaned-up ingredients.

Keto Caprese Salad

Basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes are layered on a blue plate with 4 tomatoes on a vine and a bottle olive oil nearby.

Drizzled with Primal Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a sprinkle of salt, the simplicity of this Keto Caprese accentuates the fresh ingredients of mozzarella, basil, and ripe tomatoes. With just six ingredients, this Italian salad classic bursts through with a natural, vibrant flavor.

Whole30 Caesar Salad

Craving Caesar? Crunchy romaine, creamy dressing, and savory chicken make this salad staple impossible to resist. Our Caesar Dressing and Marinade is Whole30 Approved®, making this indulgent favorite a regular in your salad rotation.

Oil & Vinegar Salad

This Keto Kale Salad is the perfect blend of acidic and savory, and a no-frills take on the classic green salad with chicken. Rich avocado, bracing Avocado Oil and Vinegar Dressing, and briny seasoning makes this simple salad burst with juxtaposed flavors.

Two halves of an avocado sit next to a white plate filled with kale, avocado slices and grilled chicken, and an Oil and Vinegar Dressing bottle lays nearby.

Keto Broccoli Salad

This salad is not your typical ready-made broccoli salad recipe. This hearty, crunchy salad is delicious with crispy bacon bits, creamy, garlic-rich mayo on broccoli florets, and a pop of color from bright red tomatoes.

A clear bowl is filled with broccoli florets, red tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and a scoop of cream colored mayo, being stirred by a spoon, on a blue tablecloth.

Salads for Every Taste

When it comes to salads, no two taste buds are alike. If you’re searching for your salad soulmate, an unbe-leaf-able pairing to pull your lunches and dinner out of the doldrums, consider these three flavor umbrellas to start experimenting.

Zesty:

Grilled Romaine Taco Salad

A smoky take on the classic taco salad recipe, grilled romaine is the perfect side to your favorite cookout dishes.

Spinach Salmon Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

This workday lunch is easy to assemble and will make you the envy of all of your coworkers: rich salmon, tangy, zesty Cilantro Lime drizzled, and a bit of bitter crunch. Simple to prep, sublime to unpack, and enjoy at noon.

A cream-colored bowl is filled with greens. On top of the greens is a cut of salmon, radishes, and a slice of avocado, covered in dressing, with a bottle of dressing laying nearby.

Whole30 Spicy Shrimp Salad

The inspiration for this salad comes from the best part of a cocktail party: the shrimp. Spicy and sweet, this Shrimp Salad gets a signature bittersweet kick from Whole30 Approved® Cocktail Sauce. This unexpected topper adds complex flavor to a lime-zested salad.

Savory:

Balsamic-Glazed Salmon with Kale and Avocado Salad

If you’re looking to elevate your salad to unreal heights, look no further. Decadent balsamic-glazed salmon sits atop a bed of chewy, hearty, bitter kale leaves with crunchy bits of shredded red cabbage and carrots, creamy avocado, and the nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts. This kale salad recipe is elegant and flavorful.

A white bowl, with a half an avocado, half a lemon, and a bottle of Balsamic vinegar next to it, is filled with kale, avocado slices, and sliced salmon.

Antipasto Salad with Tuscano Salami

The tried-and-true traditional Greek salad recipe gets an elegant upgrade with this salami antipasto salad. Drizzled in Greek Vinaigrette and spiced with savory meats, you’ll be stunned at the depth of flavor in this easy-to-prepare salad.

Fall Salad with Acorn Squash and Bacon

The perfect warm salad for any time of year and a vibrant combination of soft, crisp, crunchy, and chewy textures make this savory favorite easy to customize to your tastes. Topped with Avocado Oil and Italian Vinaigrette, this flavorful, hearty salad is the perfect centerpiece for a veggie-forward meal.

A white bowl is filled with greens and sliced acorn squash, and has two wooden spoons placed in it. in the background are white and cream table linens and a bottle of avocado oil.

Sweet:

Summer Shrimp Salad with Mayo

Looking for summer salad ideas that are delicious all year round? This sweet and zesty Summer Shrimp Salad uses mayo to add a creamy flavor to this seasonal favorite.

All ingredients for the salad are shown in different sections in a blue bowl, with chopped lemons and greens nearby, as well as a jar of mayo.

Keto Chicken Citrus Salad with Lemon Turmeric Dressing

Acidic and sweet, creamy and rich, this salad surpasses expectations with aromatic extras like grapefruit accents and Lemon Turmeric Dressing.

Whole30 Vegan Watermelon Strawberry Salad with Balsamic and Mint

Exquisite and unexpected, this colorful salad made with raw produce is ideal for warm nights spent sitting under the stars. Sun-sweetened strawberries meet a delightful drizzle of bitter balsamic for a vegan and Whole30 compliant summer salad.

A close-up shot of strawberries, cucumbers, watermelon and mint in a white bowl.

Not-Quite-Salad Salads

Leaves not your thing? Romaine calm. You can still enjoy a salad without going totally green or thinking a little outside the salad bowl.

Classic Potato Salad with Bacon

This potato salad recipe with red potatoes is a tried-and-true, all American dish to have in your repertoire. A cookout classic, this potato salad is begging to be paired with air-fried chicken tenders or a big, messy burger.

A clear bowl is filled with potato salad, made with red potatoes and bits of crumbled bacon.

Poached Egg & Avocado Breakfast Salad

This salad is not your traditional egg salad recipe. Swap the mayo and chunky hard-boiled eggs and make this crispy, crunchy, zesty salad for your next brunch.

Chicken Salad, Three Different Ways

We couldn’t pick just one chicken salad recipe. Whether you like a little sweet (Strawberry Chicken Salad), a little spice (Chipotle Chicken Lime Salad), or a little savory (Rotisserie Chicken Salad), there’s a recipe for you. If you’ve been saving your pennies and wondering, “How do I make chicken salad?” You’re in luck: This lunch counter favorite is easy to make at home.

Plant-Based Salads

The term “plant-based salads” may seem redundant, but most plant-based and vegan folks know that nearly every salad recipe you find online hinges on the meat or seafood centerpiece. So whether you’re taking part in Meatless Monday, or are a lifetime, card-carrying veg, these recipes are for you.

Pear and Arugula Salad

Savory and sweet, this iconic combo gets an extra kick with a splash of Honey Mustard.

A white dish holds a pear and arugula salad with chopped pears, a gold fork, a grey napkin, and honey mustard dressing nearby.

Vegan Chickpea Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

A little dijon mustard goes a long way in this vegan chickpea salad! When you’re plumb out of spinach salad ideas or cutting out dairy, enter this savory and peppery meal.

Keto Vegan Rainbow Salad

Crisp, cool, and colorful, this vegan salad shines when drizzled with Avocado Oil and Vinegar.

A rainbow plant-based salad sits in a white bowl next to oil and vinegar dressing

Salad FAQs

How do I make a salad I want to eat?

Building a crave-worthy, customized salad is a lot easier than it seems, especially if you’re willing to experiment with unexpected ingredients and flavorful dressings. Check out this video for more tips on building the salad of your dreams!

How should I store prepared salads and ingredients?

If you’re brown-bagging it, consider an up-cycled jar with layered ingredients. This caesar salad fits perfectly in one of our former mayo jars and is as delicious as it is adorable.

Romaine lettuce, kale, chicken, Caesar dressing, sea salt, a mayo jar, heirloom tomatoes, grain free bread, pepper and parmesan are laid out and labeled on a gray background.

What is the best way to meal prep protein for a salad?

Prepare your protein for a simple way to cut down on cook time and incorporate salads into your routine easier than ever. Follow along in this video for step-by-step instructions to guarantee prep success.

How do you clean greens for salads?

Remove any dead or unattractive greens from your bunch, then gently move them around in a large bowl of cold water. Leave them for a moment to let any excess dirt or sand settle to the bottom. You can use a salad spinner to dry them or use a colander and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel after rinsing.

What’s the best way to work more salads into my diet?

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