When it comes to salads, the possibilities are seemingly endless! You’ve got your standard green salads that have some sort of lettuce base–spinach, iceberg, mixed greens, arugula, and more–and almost always have a salad dressing. I mean, there’s a whole section at the grocery store just devoted to bottled dressings!
Fruit salads, on the other hand, could involve a simple sweet dressing or be encased in various fluffs, from marshmallow to whipped cream.
With vegetable salads we have a whole array, some of which might even count as a green salad if it had any sort of lettuce. I like to think of it as everything but the lettuce salads.
And we can’t forget about pasta salads with all of their saucy variations. You’ve got all sorts of shapes of pastas involved and all sorts of types of dressings from your standard mayo-based macaroni salad, to vinaigrettes and spicy oils.
Classic Green Salads
There are a handful of classic green salads that you can find on restaurant menus around the world. Chef Salad and Cobb Salad are two of the big staple salads that are packed full of toppings. You’ll also see much simpler salads like arugula salad or a classic Caesar. Somewhere in between these two extremes, you’ll more than likely find a simple side salad consisting of a basic mix of greens, tomatoes, croutons, and maybe some red onion, cucumber, or occasionally olives. Another massively popular in-between option is a classic Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring spinach leaves, fresh strawberries, toasted nuts, and thinly sliced red onion.
Salad Dressings
When it comes to dressings, there are endless combinations. It’s why there are always new bottles showing up in the store! While store-bought options are convenient and delicious, there are a few dressings we love making for ourselves at home and others we just can’t find anywhere else.
Mason jars make for perfect storage containers for homemade dressings, though any airtight container will do. How long a homemade dressing will stay good in the fridge depends on the dressing and what ingredients it contains. Vinaigrette-based dressings generally stay good much longer than dairy or mayo-based dressings.
Fun with Green Salads
Green salads don’t have to be boring! You can always shake up something a little more unique. Our healthy taco salad with cilantro-lime vinaigrette is a fiesta in a bowl! It’s packed with fresh greens, seasoned taco meat, black beans, corn, and topped with a zesty cilantro-lime vinaigrette. Or try a bright and fresh summer peach salad with blueberries. It’s summer in a bowl! Or go with a seafood option with our balsamic salmon salad or a flavorful Thai shrimp salad.
Fall calls for a tangy kale salad with apples—hearty kale, crisp apples, toasted nuts, and a tangy lemon dressing. Antipasto salad is a meal in itself, loaded with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and roasted red peppers, all tossed with a flavorful Italian dressing. It’s a tried-and-true salad that’s delicious anytime of the year!
Fruit Salads
Fruit salads are like a burst of sunshine in a bowl! Sometimes it’s just mixing up a simple combo of fruits in a bowl with or without a dressing. Some fruit salads get a little extra love with a honey-lime dressing or a tangy yogurt drizzle, while others go full-on nostalgic with whipped cream or marshmallow fluff. Imagine biting into a juicy berry salad topped with a sweet-tart dressing—perfect for those summer picnics or just a light, refreshing treat anytime!
Vegetable Salads
Vegetable salads are where the veggies get to be the stars of the show! No lettuce needed here, just a whole lot of veggie goodness. Think of a classic coleslaw with shredded cabbage and a simple dressing, or a Greek salad loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. Roasted vegetable salads are another tasty twist, showcasing the sweet and savory flavors of roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots. One of our favorites? A zesty corn and black bean salad, bursting with fresh cilantro, lime, and a hint of spice.
Classic Pasta Salads
Pasta salads are the fun, carb-loaded cousins in the salad family. With all sorts of pasta shapes to choose from—elbows, rotini, bowtie, orzo, you name it—and dressings that range from creamy mayo to tangy vinaigrettes or even bold pesto, there’s a pasta salad for everyone. Classics like macaroni salad are always a crowd-pleaser, packed with crunchy veggies and a creamy dressing. Italian pasta salad, with its salami, mozzarella, olives, and zesty dressing, is like a trip to your favorite Italian deli. And for something a little different, try a Mediterranean pasta salad with feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette. It’s a flavor fiesta!
Fun with Pasta Salad
Our spicy Thai pasta salad is a fan favorite that brings the heat with a spicy Thai chili oil that wows everyone who tries it. Or go with something hearty with a cowboy pasta salad featuring ground beef, black beans, corn, bacon, jalapeno, and more. For a creamy delight, the bacon ranch pasta salad combines creamy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheese, creating an irresistible pasta salad. A BLT Pasta Salad might suit your fancy with all the flavors you love from the classic sandwich in pasta form. Or maybe go lighter and more colorful with a Mediterranean pasta salad or a Greek pasta salad that takes the classic simple vegetable salad and adds pasta.
