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.

Ann’s Kale-Citrus Salad with Bacony Pecans
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.

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Acorn Squash Salad with Roasted Sorghum-Tahini Vinaigrette

Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with 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.

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Ann Taylor Pittman's Kale Citrus-Salad with Bacony Pecans

Ann’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.

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Autumn Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

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.

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Field Pea Salad with Tomatoes and Feta

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.

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Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

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.

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Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad with Ricotta and Summer Herbs

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.

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Grilled Peach Salad with Chipotle-Raspberry Vinaigrette

Regina Charboneau's 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.

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Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon

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.

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Cucumber-Chickpea Salad with Feta-Mint Vinaigrette

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.

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Three-Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Tangy Creole Dressing

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.

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Carla Hall's Warm Carrot Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

Carla Hall Carrot Salad
McCormick

This may seem like an Easter side dish, but we think this salad would be just as good on your Thanksgiving table.

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Collard Green Salad with Oranges and Port-Soaked Cherries

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.

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Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

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.

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Arugula Salad with Bacony Croutons and Sherry Vinaigrette

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.

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Harvest Salad

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.

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Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing

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.

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Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons

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.

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Marinated Tomato-and-Herb Salad

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.

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Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad

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.

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Grilled Wedge Salad with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing

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.

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Field Pea Fattoush Salad

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.

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Strawberry-Spinach Salad

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.

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Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This bright salad is a welcome addition to your brunch line up.

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Spring Mix Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese

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.

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Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad

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.

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Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbs

Tomato, Cucumber, and Basil Salad
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.

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Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad

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.

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Squash Ribbon Salad

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.

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Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad

Herbed Cucumber-and-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.

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Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

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.

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Yellow Tomatoes and Burrata with Watermelon-Beet Salsa

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.

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BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing and Buttery Croutons

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.

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

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.

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Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

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.

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Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

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.

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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

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.

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Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta

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.

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Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans

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.

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Strawberry Caprese Salad

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.

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans Recipe

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
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.

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Sweet and Tangy Roasted Pumpkin Salad

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!

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Winter Greens Salad with Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette

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. 
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