Salads can be so much more than just a bowl of lettuce, and these 15 creative recipes are here to prove it.
A truly satisfying salad can be crafted from a wide array of ingredients, where lettuce takes a backseat to more adventurous and flavorful components.
Below, you’ll find a selection of side salads that break free from the confines of traditional leafy greens, such as iceberg or romaine, introducing a world of new possibilities.
These recipes are perfect for those who wish to explore the full spectrum of what a salad can offer.
Picture a medley of roasted vegetables, enhanced by bursts of flavor from citrus fruits and creamy cheeses.
Each salad is thoughtfully designed to complement a bowl soup, or sandwich and even main dishes like succulent roast chicken, savory pork chops, or perfectly seared fish, adding a fresh and exciting dimension to your meal.
Embrace the idea of salads as a canvas for culinary creativity, where the absence of lettuce invites a focus on texture, color, and taste.
These recipes encourage you to think outside the box and experiment with ingredients that add vibrancy and depth to your dining experience.
15 Salad Recipes That Go Beyond Lettuce
1. Blood Orange Fennel and Mint Salad
The combination of blood oranges, fennel and mint creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a perfect compliment for grilled chicken or fish.
2. Brussels Sprouts with Apple, Bacon and Honeyed Pecans
Brussels Sprouts With Apple, Bacon and Honeyed Pecans create a symphony of flavors and textures that dance on the palate.
3. Shredded Brussels Sprouts And Red Cabbage With Walnuts And Parmesan
Shredded Brussels sprouts and red cabbage combined with flat-leaf parsley, walnuts, and Parmesan, embodies a harmonious fusion of flavors and textures.
4. Caprese Tomato Tower Salad
A classic but simple salad that can be found anywhere in Italy. But only the city of Capri can claim it as their culinary invention, the Caprese salad.
5. Mango Thai Noodle Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing
This Asian salad features gluten-free rice noodles, fresh crunchy vegetables, ginger, cashews, sweet chunks of mango and fresh herbs like Thai Basil, mint and cilantro.
6. Peach & Shaved Fennel Salad
This sweet and crunchy salad is deliciously yummy with with a protein dish like pork or chicken.
7. Dandelion Greens With A Lemon Yogurt Coriander Dressing
Dandelion greens are a versatile ingredient that are most commonly associated with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
8. Brussels Sprout & Apple Slaw with Cranberries
Unlike a coleslaw made with a mayonnaise based dressing, this Brussels Sprout & Apple Slaw with Cranberries is tossed with a sweet and tangy yogurt orange marmalade dressing and a touch of pomegranate molasses.
9. Red Pear & French Bean Salad
A salad that features a zestful vegetable and fruit duo with a combination of textures, color, and flavor.
10. Turkish Tomato And Onion Salad With Olive Oil And Pomegranate Molasses
A salad made with juicy tomatoes, crisp onions, and aromatic herbs like parsley, mint and thyme for a burst of flavor.
11. Stuffed Sweet Potato With Chipotle Black Bean And Corn Salad
This dish strikes a harmonious balance between hearty and refreshing, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal option.
12. Melon Berry Fruit Salad with a Mint-Lime Dressing
Among the myriad of choices of fruit salads, this Melon Berry Fruit Salad with a Mint-Lime Dressing stands out for its vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and invigorating aroma.
13. Fresh and Flavorful: Asian Pear, Carrot And Daikon Radish Sprouts Salad
When it comes to creating a salad that not only delights the palate but also invigorates the senses, this Asian Pear, Carrot, and Daikon Radish Sprouts Salad is a true masterpiece.
14. Cherry Pecan Broccoli Salad
This Cherry Pecan Broccoli Salad recipe contains crunchy broccoli, celery, sweet fresh cherries, toasted pecans, and diced juicy apples all tossed with a sweet herb dressing.
15. Caribbean-Style Corn Salad
Charred corn provides a natural sweetness that is a hallmark of this dish. Red onion adds a sweet crunch, with the creamy flavors of mango and avocado and fresh herbs like cilantro adds an aromatic, herbaceous quality.
Continue Reading And Learn More About
- Discover the Best Lettuce Varieties for Salads
- Elevate Your Salad With These Key Dressing And Vinaigrette Ingredients
- Making A Cabbage-Free Slaw
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All these salads look absolutely scrumptious! We’re all big salad fans and love discovering new recipes. I’ll admit, though, cilantro tastes like soapy nightmare to me! But, it’s a simple fix; I just omit it completely.
Thanks for the great ideas!
Yes I have read that some people have a gene that causes a dislike to cilantro.
It’s supposed to be really good, too.
Wonderful selection of colorful and tasty salads. Hard to choose! 🙂
Thank you. Salads are the favorite part of our meals (wife and I) 🤓👍🏼