Salads are a great way to incorporate more vegetables, fruits, and healthy proteins into your diet. Whether you’re looking for a light side dish or a filling meal, these 15 delicious and healthy salad recipes will satisfy your cravings and keep you energized.
1. Quinoa and Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to coat.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
2. Greek Salad with Feta and Olives
Ingredients:
ADVERTISEMENT
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and olives.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss gently and top with crumbled feta cheese.
3. Kale and Apple Salad with Almonds
Ingredients:
- 4 cups kale, chopped
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, massage the chopped kale with a pinch of salt to soften it.
- Add apple slices, almonds, and dried cranberries.
- Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup croutons
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Caesar dressing
- Fresh lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, chicken, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
5. Caprese Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Layer tomato slices and mozzarella on a serving platter.
- Add fresh basil leaves between the layers.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
6. Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- ¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup pecans, toasted
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted pecans.
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently.
7. Cobb Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Arrange lettuce on a large plate or bowl. Top with chicken, eggs, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and blue cheese.
- Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and serve.
8. Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup couscous, cooked
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss and serve chilled.
9. Chickpea and Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, avocado, cucumber, and bell pepper.
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss to coat.
10. Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, mixed greens, carrots, almonds, and sesame seeds.
- Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Drizzle over the salad and toss to combine.
11. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
- 3 medium beets, roasted and sliced
- 4 cups arugula
- ¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, toss together roasted beets, arugula, goat cheese, and walnuts.
- Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and serve.
12. Taco Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup salsa
Instructions:
- Cook ground turkey or beef with taco seasoning according to package instructions. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado.
- Add cooked meat to the salad. Top with sour cream and salsa before serving.
13. Mango and Black Bean Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 mango, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine black beans, mango, bell pepper, and red onion.
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
14. Lentil and Veggie Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, cucumber, carrot, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss.
15. Watermelon and Feta Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine watermelon cubes, feta cheese, and mint leaves.
- Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently.
ADVERTISEMENT