Food and Recipes Dish Salad The Best Side Salad Recipes that Showcase Seasonal Ingredients You'll be the talk of the party with one of these simple recipes at your next social gathering. By Emma Phelps Emma Phelps Emma Phelps is an Editorial Fellow who covers lifestyle, beauty, and food content for Southernliving.com. She also works on Southern Living's social media across all platforms from Facebook to TikTok. You'll find everything from her grandma's crisp linen secrets to products she can't live without under her byline. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Drawing a blank for what to serve with your main course for a weeknight dinner? We've rounded up our best side salad recipes that range from delicious summer salads bursting with in-season watermelon and tomatoes to fall salads that showcase seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and beets. A side dish doesn't always have to be complicated to be delicious and look fancy. We even have some simple side salad recipes that less than 15 minutes to prepare. Turn your next Italian inspired date night into a feast by paring one these side salad recipes with one of our favorites pasta dishes. Many of these salads could are so good, they're even worth being enjoyed on their own for a light lunch. Dinner will be a hit, plus the kids will actually enjoy their veggies with these side salad recipes on the table. 01 of 42 Acorn Squash Salad with Roasted Sorghum-Tahini Vinaigrette Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller This fresh fall salad makes use of one of the season's lesser-known squash varieties that deserves its time to shine. 02 of 42 Ann Taylor Pittman's Kale Citrus-Salad with Bacony Pecans Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Watermelon radishes and navel oranges add bright pops of color to this salad that's a healthy side option for your Thanksgiving feast, or any other time of year. 03 of 42 Autumn Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Almost every fall flavor you can think of is packed into this salad. The savory-sweet flavor will have you asking for seconds. 04 of 42 Field Pea Salad with Tomatoes and Feta Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This field pea salad variation calls for lady peas, which remain a white or light green color even after they've been cooked. Let the peas sit in their cooking liquid for a few minutes to help them relax. This salad is the ideal packable picnic side or pool-side snack. 05 of 42 Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Black beans, jalapeno, cilantro, and a honey-lime dressing channel the Southwestern flavors in this twist on potato salad. 06 of 42 Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad with Ricotta and Summer Herbs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This salad would pair well with summer kabobs. Enjoy your meal al fresco and soak up the flavors of the season. 07 of 42 Grilled Peach Salad with Chipotle-Raspberry Vinaigrette Courtesy Regina Charboneau This simple six-ingredient salad shines bright with the spicy-sweet vinaigrette. Pair it with a burger at your next cookout or enjoy roast chicken on top of it. 08 of 42 Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry We don't think there can ever be too many strawberries or bacon bits when it comes to a salad. 09 of 42 Cucumber-Chickpea Salad with Feta-Mint Vinaigrette Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis A cold salad is a classic side to serve along sandwiches at a picnic or luncheon in the summer heat. Fresh mint and feta add a refreshing tang to crisp cucumbers and chickpeas. 10 of 42 Three-Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Tangy Creole Dressing Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis The dressing on this salad will convert even the pickiest salad eaters. 11 of 42 Carla Hall's Warm Carrot Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing McCormick This may seem like an Easter side dish, but we think this salad would be just as good on your Thanksgiving table. 12 of 42 Collard Green Salad with Oranges and Port-Soaked Cherries Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Serve this salad alongside salmon or chicken for a delicious winter dinner that makes the most of the season's fresh citrus. 13 of 42 Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This lightened-up version of a Caesar salad is great for any pizza or pasta night. 14 of 42 Arugula Salad with Bacony Croutons and Sherry Vinaigrette Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke This salad is indulgent, and probably the most Southern take on a green salad you'll ever try. 15 of 42 Harvest Salad Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch This loaded salad really could be a meal in itself, but it's too good not to include as a side dish for your dinner next party. 16 of 42 Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall The seared okra pods and corn add a delicious, charred flavor to this crispy summer salad. 17 of 42 Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Sometimes a Caesar salad just sounds right, but there are ways to get out of the bagged salad rut. This recipe makes Caesar salad anything but boring. 18 of 42 Marinated Tomato-and-Herb Salad Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch You know a tomato salad is good when you can see the tomato juice running around the plate. Fresh herbs and flaky salt are all you need, plus some good Southern tomatoes, of course. 19 of 42 Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton This twist on a classic Italian Panzanella salad shows off all the delicious flavors of summer produce. 20 of 42 Grilled Wedge Salad with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton The high water content in iceberg lettuce makes it a refreshing grilling companion alongside burgers and hot dogs at your next cookout. 21 of 42 Field Pea Fattoush Salad Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners This Middle Eastern dish is made with toasted pita. Mix a crisp bite of pita with tomatoes and cucumbers for the ultimate flavor combo. 22 of 42 Strawberry-Spinach Salad Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Nothing quite says "spring is here" like a light and fresh berry salad. 23 of 42 Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox This bright salad is a welcome addition to your brunch line up. 24 of 42 Spring Mix Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Sliced asparagus and sugar snap peas add sweetness to this crisp salad while the radishes have a delicious bite to them. Plus, the creamy goat cheese with herbs is the finish to the dish you didn't know you were missing. 25 of 42 Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox The tomatoes and melon in this salad soak up the delicious lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette for a refreshing bite. 26 of 42 Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbs Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Lower Bring this salad to your next summer cookout and everyone will be asking for the recipe throughout the rest of the season. 27 of 42 Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele These field peas and corn drizzled in our summer sauce (an herb vinaigrette with mint, basil, and parsley), then topped with crispy bacon might just become your new summer side "salad" staple. 28 of 42 Squash Ribbon Salad Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett An easy veggie side is the perfect complement for any summer meal. Best of all, it's a cinch to pull together while looking quite impressive. 29 of 42 Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad Greg DuPree A vinegar-based dressing and a handful of herbs will take your typical cucumber and tomato mixture to the next level. 30 of 42 Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey Iain Bagwell You'll be thankful that citrus season falls at the same time as all the family winter gatherings. 31 of 42 Yellow Tomatoes and Burrata with Watermelon-Beet Salsa Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Look no further for an easy-to-enjoy salad that is as beautiful as it is tasty. Pair it with your favorite summer pasta dish or grilled kabobs. 32 of 42 BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing and Buttery Croutons Photo: Alison Miksch We turned the South's favorite summer sandwich into a delicious salad. It's easily enjoyed on its own, but makes the perfect side for a grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak dinner. 33 of 42 Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan We can't think of a better way to show off summer's hottest produce than this simple dish. 34 of 42 Spicy Grilled Corn Salad Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan Serve this alongside tacos for a delicious and (slightly) spicy dinner. 35 of 42 Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith This salad is a great starter for any winter meal and pairs well with any main dish. 36 of 42 Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Summer really is the time for all the best side salads. This dish is bursting with flavor and only requires a few ingredients. 37 of 42 Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke The grill isn't just for hamburgers and hotdogs. Our new favorite unexpected summer side dish takes peaches to the next level. 38 of 42 Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans Sheri Giblin You can make the candied pecans ahead of time so that assembling the salad is even easier. 39 of 42 Strawberry Caprese Salad IAIN BAGWELL While we love a traditional caprese salad, it's nice to have another version on hand. Serve it over a bed of lettuce or with crostinis. 40 of 42 Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans Recipe Greg DuPree Serve this autumn salad full of crunchy brussels sprouts, crisp apples, and toasted pecans for a refreshing, seasonal-produce-driven side. It's complete with a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing. 41 of 42 Sweet and Tangy Roasted Pumpkin Salad Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christina Daley While fall is full of pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, we'd be remiss not to showcase it on a hearty salad too. Seeds and all! 42 of 42 Winter Greens Salad with Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling and Floral Design: Sara York Grimshaw Look no further for a simple greens salad full of winter lettuces. It's the ideal accompaniment for a rich, hearty meal. Updated by Cameron Beall Cameron Beall Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit