The Best Salad Recipes

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Sometimes you can’t beat a delicious salad recipe. Today I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite salad recipes for you. Whether these recipes are used as a full meal or a side dish, there’s something you’re bound to love.

Unique and Delicious Salad Recipes #salad #recipe #lettuce #panzanella #pastasalad #pasta #potatosalad #dessertsalad

Salad comes in many forms. There are the classic leaf salads, pasta salads, potato salads, chicken salads, panzanellas (bread salads), and even dessert salads!

Knowing that I’m always looking for unique and delicious salad recipes, I decided to put this list of my favorites together just in case you need a go-to list yourself.

Whether you need a side for a weeknight dinner or want something special to take to a picnic/event, I’m certain you can find a salad recipe in this list that will work perfectly for any occasion. Enjoy!

Leafy Green Salad Recipes

big bowl of spinach salad with berries.

Summer Berry Spinach Salad

If you’re looking for an easy and fresh salad that you can assemble in minutes, this Summer Berry Spinach Salad is a winner. It’s topped with fresh berries, mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, and poppyseed dressing. 

A simple and delicious Roasted Carrot Salad Recipe. #salad #carrots #recipe

Roasted Carrot Salad

Arugula, blue cheese, dried cranberries, almond, and roasted carrots come together to create this delicious and fresh Roasted Carrot Salad.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad #BrusselsSprouts #ShavedBrusselsSprouts #salad #apple #pinenuts #recipe #sidedish #easy

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Mixed with Honeycrisp apples, pecorino Romano cheese, pine nuts, and dried currants, this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad has become one of my favorite side salad recipes. I think you’re going to love it too!

Broccolini Salad in a bowl.

Broccolini Salad

Made with broccolini, fresh greens, sliced onion, golden raisins, and pumpkin seeds, this fresh and crisp Broccolini Salad is an easy and tasty side dish that will complement any meal. 

Butternut Squash Fall Salad Recipe in bowls.

Butternut Squash Fall Salad

Made with arugula, dried cranberries, goat cheese, walnuts, and a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, this Butternut Squash Fall Salad is a delicious and seasonal way to start any autumn dinner. Add grilled chicken or steak and you can turn it into a meal. 

Winter Brussels Sprouts Salad on a platter.

Winter Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels sprouts are tossed with pomegranate seeds, pecans, pears, parmesan cheese, and a light dressing to create this Winter Brussels Sprouts Salad. This is a healthy, easy-to-make side that pairs beautifully with any holiday or winter meal. 

Chicken Apple Pecan Salad with dressing on a large platter.

Chicken Apple Pecan Salad

If you’re tired of the same old boring salads, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a solution: the Chicken Apple Pecan Salad recipe. This delightful salad (a copycat recipe from Wendy’s menu) is packed with juicy chicken, crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and a fruit dressing that will truly awaken your taste buds.

plated wilted endive with fork.

Wilted Endive

Wilted Endive is an old-fashioned salad recipe served with onion, hard-boiled egg, and a hot bacon dressing. It’s an easy recipe that can be assembled in under fifteen minutes and enjoyed by all.

Unique Salads

Bacon and Blue Cheese Potato Salad #potatosalad #sidedish #potato #bacon #bluecheese #salad #recipe

Bacon and Blue Cheese Potato Salad

Move over classic potato salad; there’s a new dish in town. This Bacon and Blue Cheese Potato Salad is a fresh and flavorful take on the classic recipe. In fact, I’d take this over the classic recipe any day!

Italian rice salad in a big white bowl on a table.

Italian Rice Salad

This tomato, prosciutto, and pea rice salad is a delicious medley of cherry tomatoes, salty prosciutto, and delicate peas, all nestled atop a bed of fluffy rice, creating a symphony of colors, flavors, and textures. If you’re seeking a simple yet sensational and unique dish, this Italian rice salad recipe is an absolute must-try.

cajun potato salad in a bowl on a gingham napkin.

Cajun Potato Salad

Summer is all about outdoor gatherings, good company, and delicious food. And what better way to impress your guests than with a mouthwatering cajun potato salad that will leave them asking for seconds? This recipe, which is loaded with fresh and flavorful ingredients, is the perfect way to spice up your summer barbecues, picnics, and potlucks.

This Snow Pea and Chicken Salad Recipe is a delicious and unique take on classic chicken salad.

Snow Pea and Chicken Salad

Sometimes a good chicken salad recipe can totally hit the spot. Whether you serve this Snow Pea and Chicken Salad for lunch or at a summer gathering, I know you’re going to love its fresh and delicate flavors.

Radicchio and Blue Cheese Bread Salad is the salad to complement a late-summer or fall dinner.

Radicchio and Blue Cheese Bread Salad

If you’re looking for a salad to complement a late-summer or fall dinner, you’ll want to try this Radicchio and Blue Cheese Bread Salad. Bursting with bold flavor, it is so simple to make.

Avocado Panzanella Salad

This Avocado Panzanella Salad is a celebration of summer! Bursting with summer tomatoes, crusting bread, fresh basil, and creamy avocados this salad is a winning recipe!

Roasted Zucchini Panzanella Salad #vegetable #roasted #zucchini #panzanella #salad #recipe #summer #picnic #breadsalad

Roasted Zucchini Panzanella

If you are looking for a delicious summer salad recipe, look no further than this Roasted Zucchini Panzanella. I mean, what’s not to love about a salad made with toasted bread?

Creamed Cucumber Salad in bowl.

Creamed Cucumbers

This cool and creamed cucumber salad is a classic side dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or family holiday. It’s a time-honored recipe that has been a favorite in my home for as long as I can remember. You’re going to love it too. 

bowl of mixed fruit in a bowl for a fruit salad.

Ultimate Fruit Salad

Who doesn’t love a colorful and flavorful fruit salad? It’s the perfect dish for summer potlucks, outdoor barbecues, and holiday celebrations. Below, I’m sharing my best recipe for the ultimate fruit salad. This vibrant dish is a refreshing and delicious way to enjoy a variety of juicy fruits. 

Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad might be my favorite kind of salad.  That is why I have an entire blog post dedicated to my best pasta salad recipes. It’s worth checking out as there are some really good ones!

macaroni salad in a bowl.

The Best Macaroni Salad

You’ve never had good macaroni salad until you’ve tried this recipe. This really good macaroni salad recipe is one of my favorite recipes, thanks to a few special touches and unexpected ingredients. I think you’re going to love it too!

Really Good Pasta Salad in a large bowl.

Really Good Pasta Salad

Looking for a pasta salad recipe EVERYONE will love. This is it! This Really Good Pasta Salad is a flavor-packed pasta salad recipe making it the perfect recipe for summer entertaining! Get my tips below for making it extra delicious.

This Ramen Noodle Salad is the best and easiest #summer #pasta #salad #recipe! #ramen #noodle

Ramen Noodle Salad

This Ramen Noodle Salad is so simple to make, full of flavor, and always a crowd pleaser. You’re certain to love this easy and delicious pasta salad recipe!

Delicious Pine Nut and Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe #pasta #salad #pesto #pinenut #arugula #pastasalad #recipe #sidedish

Pine Nut and Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pine Nut and Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad contains four things I love: pine nuts, arugula, pasta, and feta. I think it’s a delightful combination of flavors that almost everyone will enjoy.

BLT Macaroni Salad

Based on one of my favorite classic sandwich recipes, this BLT Macaroni Salad is loaded with flavor. It’s a tasty and unique twist on classic pasta salad with a traditional flavor combination everyone will love!

Dessert “Salad” Recipes:

And then there’s the dessert salad recipes. Dessert salads are typically sweet and made with items such as jello, whipped topping, fruits, mayo, etc. These are a few of the dessert salads that are staples in my family – we make them over and over again!

Delicious and Easy Waldorf Salad #waldorfsalad #salad #recipe #sidedish #thanksgiving #christmas #holiday

Waldorf Salad

Although delicious anytime of the year, Waldorf Salad has been a holiday side dish in my family for as long as I can remember. Today, I’m sharing my family’s recipe for this “must have” holiday dish.

Orange Pineapple Dream Salad - delicious as a side dish or dessert #salad #dreamsalad #dessertsalad #pineappledream

Orange Pineapple Dream Salad

Whether served as a dessert or side dish, this Orange Pineapple Dream Salad recipe is the perfect compliment to any celebration, holiday, or meal.

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a classic dessert that continues to be a favorite! #strawberry #jello #pretzel #dessert #recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is an old-fashioned dessert recipe that still popular for a reason: it’s delicious! The combination of sweet, salty, and fruity is so good!

fork into strawberry jello salad.

Strawberry Jello Salad

Fluffy, fruity, and full of flavor, this Strawberry Jello Salad is a dessert recipe from my childhood that hasn’t gone out of style. Twenty-five years later it’s still just as delicious! It might quickly become your new go-to treat. 

ice cream pudding dessert on plates.

Ice Cream Salad

This old-fashioned Ice Cream Pudding Dessert (or Ice Cream Salad as it’s known in my family) is an easy-to-make dessert recipe comprised of a salty Ritz cracker crust and creamy toasted coconut ice cream pudding filling. I know you’re going to love it.

That’s a Wrap

I hope you enjoy this little collection. Be sure to save this post for later as I will be adding favorites to this list whenever I add a new delicious salad recipe to the blog.

You can also stay up-to-date with all of my new posts by subscribing to the IBC Mailing List here. You’ll be the first to know anytime I publish something new!

Until next time!

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40 Comments

  1. So many wonderful recipes over the years.
    Next up will be the roasted carrots. All mad by things i really like.

    Speaking of really like…the painting with the pitcher of sunflowers. A+++

  2. Hi Michael … Thanks for the great salad recipes ! I’ll be using them for summer get togethers this summer. Just have to say how much I enjoy reading your BLOG every day. You’re so inspiring !

  3. Thanks for your message! These are just salads that look delicious to me. I used to have a feature on my blog where I’d share a collection of some of my favorite things I found via Pinterest. This was one of those features.

    xo
    Michael

  4. Chicken salad with apricot and almonds AND Cranberry pecan chicken salad are my favourites! I’ve just found your blog and you on Pinterest and I’m sooooo glad that I did. You come across as such a lovely man. Oh, I also want to say thanks for the Olive Garden recipe because when we had our honeymoon in the USA (we’re from the UK) we had a special meal in Olive Garden – you reminded me of that time 🙂
    Thanks, Ellie Maggie x

  5. Love, love your blog, Michael! I’ve been following you on Pinterest for a while, also. You inspire me all the time. Keep those wonderful things coming!! Bonnie

  6. Michael – so great to “meet” ya!! Thank you so very much for featuring the Olive Garden salad dressing. I’m so glad you did so I could find my way to your little corner (kinda big corner actually) of the internet. LOVing your site and your inn – really inspiring!! Oh and Operation 20lbs! haha – Lord knows I have been on Operation 20 lbs for 20 years, but mine should be Operation 30 lbs…lol.