Salad recipes: fresh, easy and complete ideas for every season

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Salad recipes: fresh, easy and complete ideas for every season
Salad recipes are much more than a bowl of lettuce: they can be fresh starters, generous main dishes, picnic favorites, barbecue sides or healthy meal prep ideas.

In this hub, you will find easy salads for every craving: crunchy cucumber salads, fruity summer combinations, Mediterranean classics, complete grain salads, pasta salads, rice salads and homemade dressings.

Whether you need a quick lunch, a colorful dish to share or a light dinner, these salad ideas help you combine texture, flavor and balance without spending hours in the kitchen.

Fresh summer salads

Summer salads are the easiest way to bring color, freshness and crunch to the table.
Use juicy fruits, crisp cucumber, herbs and creamy cheese to create a light meal, a starter or a barbecue side in minutes.
Recipe Shrimp and mango salad, fresh and perfect for summer Shrimp and mango salad, fresh and perfect for summer
Recipe Watermelon, feta, avocado and cucumber salad: extra fresh! Watermelon, feta, avocado and cucumber salad: extra fresh!
Recipe Strawberry, tomato, feta, and basil salad Strawberry, tomato, feta, and basil salad
Recipe Vegetable tagliatelle salad with peanut sauce Vegetable tagliatelle salad with peanut sauce
Recipe Cucumber salad with crispy potatoes Cucumber salad with crispy potatoes
Recipe Super tasty asparagus salad Super tasty asparagus salad

Mediterranean classics

When you want a salad that tastes like holidays, choose Mediterranean salad recipes with tomato, feta, olives, tuna, bread or fresh herbs.
These ideas are perfect for picnics, easy lunches and sunny dinners.
Recipe Greek salad or horiatiki Greek salad or horiatiki
Recipe Panzanella salad - italian bread salad Panzanella salad - italian bread salad
Recipe Mediterranean rice salad : tuna, olive, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon Mediterranean rice salad : tuna, olive, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon
Recipe Pasta salad with tomato, feta cheese, and olives Pasta salad with tomato, feta cheese, and olives
Recipe Sweet and sour salad with roasted peaches and burrata ! Sweet and sour salad with roasted peaches and burrata !
Recipe Roasted apricot, arugula and burrata salad Roasted apricot, arugula and burrata salad

Complete salads for lunch or dinner

A complete salad should be filling without feeling heavy: add grains, legumes, fish, chicken, eggs or cheese for balance.
These recipes work well as meal prep, lunch boxes or quick weeknight meals.
Recipe Cucumber, roasted chickpea, avocado and feta salad Cucumber, roasted chickpea, avocado and feta salad
Recipe Lentil, tomato, and feta salad Lentil, tomato, and feta salad
Recipe Farro and tuna salad: light, tasty and perfect year-round recipe Farro and tuna salad: light, tasty and perfect year-round recipe
Recipe Rice salad with chicken, zucchini, pine nuts and balsamic vinegar Rice salad with chicken, zucchini, pine nuts and balsamic vinegar
Recipe Vegetarian rice salad: feta, corn, carrots, peas, cherry tomatoes and mint Vegetarian rice salad: feta, corn, carrots, peas, cherry tomatoes and mint
Recipe Vegetarian buddha bowl - a beautiful balanced and colorful salad! Vegetarian buddha bowl - a beautiful balanced and colorful salad!

Pasta, rice and grain salads

Pasta salad, rice salad, quinoa, farro and couscous are reliable bases when you need a salad that travels well.
They absorb dressings beautifully and stay satisfying for buffets, potlucks and outdoor meals.
Recipe Orzo pasta salad with salmon and zucchini Orzo pasta salad with salmon and zucchini
Recipe Cold pasta salad with peppers, corn and mozzarella Cold pasta salad with peppers, corn and mozzarella
Recipe Pasta salad with zucchini pesto, mozzarella and dried tomatoes Pasta salad with zucchini pesto, mozzarella and dried tomatoes
Recipe Super creamy pasta salad, ready in 10 minutes Super creamy pasta salad, ready in 10 minutes
Recipe Couscous salad for a simple, healthy and colorful starter! Couscous salad for a simple, healthy and colorful starter!
Recipe Quinoa salad with a tabbouleh flavor: refreshing and even healthier Quinoa salad with a tabbouleh flavor: refreshing and even healthier

International salad inspiration

Explore salads from around the world with Asian-style crunch, Brazilian flavors, Japanese freshness and generous Portuguese-style combinations.
These recipes are ideal when you want something more original than the usual green salad.
Recipe Colourful spring roll salad with rice vermicelli, shrimp and a peanut sauce Colourful spring roll salad with rice vermicelli, shrimp and a peanut sauce
Recipe Salpicão - brazilian salad Salpicão - brazilian salad
Recipe Japanese cucumber salad Japanese cucumber salad
Recipe Crispy japanese cabbage salad Crispy japanese cabbage salad
Recipe Cowpea salad with tuna, eggs and olives: the portuguese classic! Cowpea salad with tuna, eggs and olives: the portuguese classic!
Recipe Mexican style salad jar Mexican style salad jar

Light sides and crunchy starters

Some salads are made to start a meal or accompany grilled food, sandwiches and simple mains.
Choose crunchy vegetables, cabbage, cucumber, potatoes or beans for an easy side dish with plenty of texture.
Recipe Spicy cucumber salad with peanuts Spicy cucumber salad with peanuts
Recipe Watermelon and cucumber salad Watermelon and cucumber salad
Recipe American-style coleslaw (cabbage and carrot salad) American-style coleslaw (cabbage and carrot salad)
Recipe Fava bean salad with bacon Fava bean salad with bacon
Recipe Potato, tuna, and tomato salad Potato, tuna, and tomato salad
Recipe Potato salad with feta cheese, egg, and cherry tomatoes Potato salad with feta cheese, egg, and cherry tomatoes

Salad dressings, sauces and toppings

A great salad often depends on the dressing. Keep a few homemade sauces ready: vinaigrette, peanut sauce, yogurt sauce or creamy cheese toppings can transform simple vegetables.
Finish with croutons, marinated mozzarella or roasted chickpeas for extra crunch and flavor.
Recipe Vinaigrette, the quick and easy recipe to accompany your salad! Vinaigrette, the quick and easy recipe to accompany your salad!
Recipe Peanut butter sauce, perfect for salads Peanut butter sauce, perfect for salads
Recipe Yogurt, feta, lemon and mint sauce, super fresh! Yogurt, feta, lemon and mint sauce, super fresh!
Recipe Greek yogurt, cucumber and onion sauce Greek yogurt, cucumber and onion sauce
Recipe Crunchy herb croutons in the air fryer (quick and easy) Crunchy herb croutons in the air fryer (quick and easy)
Recipe Marinated mozzarella balls, for aperitifs or salads! Marinated mozzarella balls, for aperitifs or salads!

How to build a balanced salad

Start with a base: lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, pasta, rice, quinoa, lentils or potatoes.
Add protein: eggs, tuna, salmon, shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, feta or mozzarella.
Bring contrast: something crunchy, something creamy, something acidic and a fresh herb.
Finish with dressing: add it just before serving for crisp salads, or earlier for grain salads so flavors can soak in.

Salad recipe FAQs

What makes a salad filling?
Add a source of protein and a starchy base such as rice, pasta, potatoes, quinoa, lentils or farro.

Which salads are best for meal prep?
Rice salads, pasta salads, lentil salads and cabbage salads usually keep better than delicate leafy salads.

How do I keep salad from getting watery?
Dry vegetables well, salt watery ingredients only when needed, and keep dressing separate until serving.

What can I serve with salad?
Salads go well with grilled meat, fish, quiche, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, bread, cheese or simple appetizers.

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