Sweet or savory, green or pasta, there is a salad for any occasion. I’ve rounded up some of our favorite easy salad recipes I think you’ll enjoy!
More Collections: Pasta Salad Recipes, Salad Dressing Recipes, Grilled Dinner Ideas
BEST SALADS
I love salad all year long, but I especially crave it during the spring and summer.
Salads are great for so many reasons. They can hold their own as a main dish, or be a great supporting dish. Choose in-season produce and incorporate lots of colors, flavors, and textures into your salad.
From sweet to savory, we know there are so many kinds of salads, and in my book – they’re all winners. The best kind, however, are the ones that are EASY to make too!
While some salads are more complex, all the salads in this collection are simple to make (and pretty darn delicious, too)!
Types of Easy Salads
I have 5 types of salads that I make on a regular basis. Each type has many different varieties and shares similar ingredients. The difference between the salads is what the base, or most prominent, ingredient is.
- Green Salad. Green salads use a lettuce base and may include a variety of other chopped fruits and vegetables. The four main types of lettuce used for green salads include iceberg, butterhead, romaine, and leaf. Use just one type or a combination. Some other greens that people often add include kale and spinach leaves.
- Vegetable Salads. The base of this type of salad is a vegetable other than lettuce. It may have a creamy dressing or a simple vinaigrette. It may also include other chopped vegetables, nuts, and protein.
- Bound Salads. This type of salad contains a mixture of food that is bound together with a thick dressing, often mayonnaise. This would include anything from Egg Salad to Potato Salad.
- Pasta Salads. Pasta is the main ingredient for these salads. The pasta is typically smaller like penne, rotini, farfalle, or ditalini. It is often tossed with chopped vegetables and protein along with some type of dressing.
- Fruit/Dessert Salads. Fruit is the main ingredient of this salad. It can simply be a combination of 2-3 types of fruit tossed together or it may have a sweet cream coating and resemble more of a dessert.
Ingredients for Easy Salads
Make a good salad using the most simple ingredients. Once you know what type of salad you wish to make then you can start adding different elements that work together in taste and texture.
Favorite Salad Vegetables: When adding vegetables to a salad, you often do not need to cook them. Simply wash, chop, and toss. Can’t get easier than that!
- Leafy greens: Iceberg, butterhead, romaine, baby spinach, kale
- Green veggies: Broccoli florets, celery, brussel sprouts, green onion, cucumber
- Colorful veggies: Carrots, cauliflower florets, beets, bell pepper, red onion
- Fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, chives, dill, mint, parsley, thyme
Favorite Salad Fruits:
- Berries
- Melons
- Diced apples, peaches, or pears
- Grapes
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
Salad Proteins: Adding grilled chicken or beef to a salad is an easy way to make it more filling and turn it into a main side rather than a side. Some other additions include:
- Shrimp
- Bacon bits
- Black, kidney, or white beans
- Boiled eggs
- Buffalo Chicken
- Chickpeas
Other salad ingredients:
- Cheese is often added to salads counting any combination of vegetables. Use a simple cubed cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, goat cheese, or feta.
- Add some crunch with croutons or nuts.
Serving Tips
Meal prep: Among many other aspects, salads are wonderful because they can easily be prepared ahead of time. The different elements can be prepared 1-3 days ahead of time and stored separately until its time to assemble the salad.
Even then, most salads can be assembled several hours before and stored, covered, in the fridge. If you are using a creamy salad dressing or a vinaigrette, I suggest waiting to add that until right before serving. Or even serve it on the side.
- Many vegetables can be chopped and stored in separate containers for a few days before you even need to assemble them.
- Fruit is a little trickier to prepare ahead. It can often turn an unappetizing brown when cut too far in advance. To help keep cut fruit fresh longer you can dip it in a mixture of water and lemon juice. You can also sprinkle Ball’s Fresh Fruit on it.
- Cooked pasta can be tossed in a bit of olive oil so it doesn’t stick together and then stored in its own air-tight container for 1-2 days in the fridge before being used.
How Much Salad to Serve?
When serving as a side: When serving as a side dish, plan to serve ½-1 cup (4-6 oz) pasta salad per guest. For green/vegetable salads plan to serve 1-2 c (2½ -5 oz) per person. Finally, plan to serve 1 cup (3.5 oz) of fruit salad per person.
If the salad is the main dish, plan to serve 1½ -2 cups of pasta salad or 2-2½ cups of green salad per person.
Dressings
“Dressing” is the perfect word for salad dressing. They really do dress up the salad.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Homemade Ranch
- Greek Dressing
- Pesto Dressing
- Caesar Salad Dressing
- Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
THE BEST EASY SALADS
These easy salads are perfect for a side or main dish. They are all delicious!
7 Layer Salad
7 Layers of Goodness in this delicious layered Salad. This recipe isn’t only delicious, but is easy to customize and is great to make ahead of time too!
1 7 Layer Salad Recipe
Arugula Salad
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
2 Arugula Salad Recipe
Cobb Salad
This simple Cobb salad is so full of tasty ingredients it’s a meal all on it’s own. It is quick to make and utterly delicious.
3 Cobb Salad Recipe
Wedge Salad
This fresh wedge salad is a classic. It’s crisp and refreshing, smothered in creamy dressing and topped with crumbles of cheese and bacon.
4 Wedge Salad Recipe
Southwest Caprese Salad
Southwest Caprese salad substitutes queso fresco and a bright cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette to add some flair. It is fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor!
5 Southwest Caprese Salad Recipe
Greek Pasta Salad
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It’s perfectly light and refreshing.
6 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ramen Noodle Salad
With toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and ramen noodles, this green salad has the perfect crunch to it. Top it all off with a simple homemade dressing, and this Ramen Noodle Salad will win everyone over!
7 Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
Easy Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing takes minutes to make. It’s a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
8 Pasta Salad Recipe
Chicken Pasta Salad
Creamy chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and SO tasty. It is packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
9 Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Asian Pasta Salad
Easy & Delicious Asian Pasta Salad topped with a sweet and tangy dressing is packed with veggies and flavor!
10 Asian Pasta Salad recipe
Spinach and Tortellini Salad
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It’s packed with all the best flavors!
11 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a new favorite!!
12 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad is a light dish with a bold flavor, making it perfect for potlucks, parties, BBQ’s, and get togethers!
13 Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe
Taco Pasta Salad
Delicious Taco Pasta Salad filled with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and more!!
14 Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Macaroni Salad
This simple, creamy Macaroni Salad is loaded with pasta, peas and ham. It’s perfect for parties, family dinners, and potlucks!
15 Macaroni Salad Recipe
Homemade Potato Salad
This perfect Potato Salad is a famous family recipe. It’s simple, packed with flavor, and our most requested side for parties!
16 Potato Salad Recipe
Brussel Sprout Salad
Brussel Sprout Salad is as pretty as it is tasty—full of shredded Brussel sprouts, pomegranate seeds, sliced almonds, and a little bit of shaved parmesan.
17 Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Kale Salad
Sweet Kale Salad is topped with chunks of apple, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and bacon, served with a homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette!
18 Kale Salad Recipe
Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is the perfect food for baby/wedding showers, light lunches, or picnics at the park! Eat your creamy chicken salad on a croissant, in a salad, or by itself!
19 Chicken Salad Recipe
Egg Salad
Egg salad is classic, simple, and only requires a handful of ingredients! Serve it as a side, or make it into an egg salad sandwich. Either way, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd!
20 How to Make Egg Salad recipe
Easy Coleslaw
This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
21 Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Ham Salad
Creamy ham salad with hints of dill and chunks of hard-boiled eggs is a tasty appetizer perfect for using up that leftover ham!!
22 Ham Salad Recipe
Favorite Broccoli Salad
Simple Broccoli Salad is tasty and hearty topped with a delicious homemade dressing. It’s perfect for BBQs and get-togethers.
23 Broccoli Salad Recipe
Summer Corn Salad
Summer Corn Salad is light and flavorful, dressed simply with Italian dressing. It’s easy, quick + perfect for summer!
24 Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Broccoli Strawberry Salad
Broccoli Strawberry Salad is creamy and refreshing with pops of juicy fruit. It can easily be made ahead and enjoyed later!
25 Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Frito Corn Salad
Fresh and tasty Frito corn salad is bursting with sweet corn and covered in a perfectly spicy creamy sauce. It is perfectly refreshing.
26 Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. It’s so light and refreshing!
27 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple salad perfect for summer and your bounteous harvest. It’s a quick side for any meal!
28 Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Pea Salad
Pea salad is made with a creamy mayo dressing, bacon, cheese, and bright pops of peas. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is easy to make!
29 Pea Salad Recipe
Asparagus Salad
Filled with mozzarella cheese, and cherry tomatoes, seasoned with basil, and covered in a light balsamic vinaigrette, this asparagus salad is bursting with flavor! Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
30 Asparagus Salad Recipe
Fall Fruit Salad
Fall fruit salad is full of seasonal fruit and dressed in a bright honey, orange, and poppy seed dressing!
31 Fall Fruit Salad Recipe
Pistachio Salad
Pistachio Salad dessert is always served at our family gatherings. With whipped cream and marshmallows, it’s always a hit!
32 Pistachio Salad Recipe
Easy Fruit Salad
A fresh fruit salad that makes the perfect side dish to any meal! Colorful, healthy, delicious, and filled with all your favorite fruits!
33 Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. This Southern creamy fruit salad is filled with mini marshmallows!
34 Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Snicker Apple Salad
Snicker Apple Salad is a sweet treat, filled with texture and flavor! Bright pops of apple perfectly complement chewy chunks of Snickers.
35 Snicker Salad Recipe
Cheesecake Fruit Salad
This Cheesecake Fruit Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, light, and fresh! Fresh berries tossed in a cream cheese pudding mixture—it’s the perfect side, or crepe filling!
36 Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
All Easy, All Delicious!
Even if you don’t enjoy green salads, I’m sure there’s at least one easy salad recipe here that you will like! My personal favorite might be the Cheesecake Fruit Salad. 😉
These are the easiest salads out there, and they all taste amazing.
Be sure to check out all of our Salad Recipes.
More Collections: Summer Salad Recipes, Green Salad Recipes, Fall Salad Recipes
So many delicious salads – thanks for including one of mine!
Of course, Leigh Anne!! XO
Thank you so much for the feature! So much inspiration here! 🙂
All of these look amazing! Pinned!
Thanks for including some of my recipes!!
I love salad in the summer – well pretty much all year long lol! I’m so excited to try these!!
xoxxo
Nice blog right here! Additionally your site so much
up very fast! What host are you using? Can I
get your associate hyperlink in your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
This has got to be *the* best salad collection of ‘real food’ salads that I have seen. Lots of great fresh ingredients without all that weird new age ‘food’ that people are putting in salads now(sorry, but quinoa?..blech). Thanks for the recipes, great job!
I cannot find your avocado blt pasta salad recipe !
HI Kristyn, I am going to a wedding shower on August 1st and it is a filipina/asian style. I wanted to take your Hawaiian Macaroni salad, however I cannot find the recipe. I am wondering if you wouldn’t mind reposting or forwarding it to me. I love it’s tanginess and simplicity. I served in the past to my son and he loves it. It seems you would be super busy with 6 children, so I understand if you don’t have the time.
Hi! I’ll reach out and see if we can track that recipe down for you. Here are a few that came to mind real quick… are any of these the one you are thinking of? https://lilluna.com/macaroni-salad/ or https://lilluna.com/cheesecake-factory-luau-salad/ or this one is not from our site but we shared it on FB a few years ago and sounds like it might fit your description too: https://www.facebook.com/LilLunaBlog/posts/1359477357412501
Here are some other yummy Asian inspired salads as well that might work: https://lilluna.com/?s=asian+salad
Fantastic!
Thank you!!
We make some kind of salad with so many of our meals. We love your easy pasta salad & your Asian salads. They are all so good & super easy to make!
Yesss I’ve tried a few of these and I have a bunch more on my list now! Thank you!
I absolutely loved all of these ideas! I’ve been wanting to mix things up so I didn’t get tired of salads and this is so helpful, thank you!
What an amazing collection. We love the lemon poppyseed dressing!
I love all the variety of recipes here. Every kind of salad that you can imagine and better yet there so yummy!
I typically have a green salad for lunch, but that gets kind of old. Right now I am obsessed with your buffalo chicken salad. I think I’ll try the strawberry harvest recipe next.
I just added so many of these to my must try list! Thank you so much for this list!
This list was super helpful to find a salad that worked for all of my family. There are so many allergies that I have to worry about but this list helped me find the perfect salad that worked for everyone.
Thank you for sharing this amazing list of salad recipes! There were so many delicious-looking options to choose from, I ended up making the broccoli strawberry salad and I really enjoyed it!