The Best Side Salad Recipes that Showcase Seasonal Ingredients
Drawing a blank for what to serve with your main course during weeknight dinners? We've rounded up our best side salad recipes that range from delicious summer salads bursting with watermelon and tomatoes to fall salads that showcase seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and beets. A side dish doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. We even have some simple side salad recipes that take just a few minutes to prepare. Turn your next Italian inspired date night into a feast by using one of our side salad recipes for pasta. Some of these salads could even be enjoyed on their own for a light lunch. Make dinner a hit and get your kids to enjoy their veggies with these dinner side salad recipes.
Acorn Squash Salad with Roasted Sorghum-Tahini Vinaigrette
Recipe: Acorn Squash Salad with Roasted Sorghum-Tahini Vinaigrette
This fresh fall salad makes use of one of the season's lesser-known squash varieties.
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Ann Taylor Pittman's Kale Citrus-Salad with Bacony Pecans
Recipe: Ann Taylor Pittman's Kale Citrus-Salad with Bacony Pecans
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
Recipe: Autumn Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
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
Recipe: Field Pea Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
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
Recipe: Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
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
Recipe: Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad with Ricotta and Summer Herbs
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
Recipe: Grilled Peach Salad with Chipotle-Raspberry Vinaigrette
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
Recipe: Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon
We don't think there can ever be too many strawberries or bacon bits.
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Cucumber-Chickpea Salad with Feta-Mint Vinaigrette
Recipe: Cucumber-Chickpea Salad with Feta-Mint Vinaigrette
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
Recipe: Three-Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Tangy Creole Dressing
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
Recipe: Carla Hall's Warm Carrot Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
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
Recipe: Collard Green Salad with Oranges and Port-Soaked Cherries
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
Recipe: Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs
This lightened-up version of a Caesar salad is great for pizza night or pasta night.
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Arugula Salad with Bacony Croutons and Sherry Vinaigrette
Recipe: Arugula Salad with Bacony Croutons and Sherry Vinaigrette
This salad is indulgent, and probably the most Southern take on a green salad you'll ever try.
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Harvest Salad
Recipe: Harvest Salad
This salad really could be a meal in itself, but it's too good not to include as a side dish for your dinner party.
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Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing
Recipe: Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing
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
Recipe: Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons
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
Recipe: Marinated Tomato-and-Herb Salad
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
Recipe: Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad
This twist on a classic Italian Panzanella salad shows off all the delicious summer produce flavors.
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Grilled Wedge Salad with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing
Recipe: Grilled Wedge Salad with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing
The high water content in iceberg lettuce makes it a refreshing grilling companion alongside burgers and hot dogs at your next cookout.Â
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Field Pea Fattoush Salad
Recipe: Field Pea Fattoush Salad
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
Recipe: Strawberry-Spinach Salad
Nothing quite says "spring is here" like a fresh berry salad.
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Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
This bright salad is a welcome addition to your brunch line up.
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Spring Mix Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese
Recipe: Spring Mix Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese
Sliced asparagus and sugar snap peas add sweetness to this crisp salad while the radishes have a delicious bite to them. The goat cheese with herbs is a creamy finish to the palate.
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Quick Chopped Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Recipe: Quick Chopped Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
The best part of this salad is that you can swap out whatever vegetables are fresh and in-season at the time you're preparing it.
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Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad
Recipe: Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad
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
Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbs
Bring this salad to your next summer cookout and you'll be the talk of your friend group for the rest of the season.
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Field Pea Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Recipe: Field Pea Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This is a summer salad that we could eat by itself, but we wouldn't blame you if you paired it with smoked salmon or grilled chicken.
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Roasted Broccoli Salad
Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Salad
This salad is just as good as the creamy broccoli salad you grew up if not better.
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Shaved Carrot, Asparagus, and Apple Salad
Recipe: Shaved Carrot, Asparagus, and Apple Salad
This salad is all the refreshing crunch that we look for in a fall mix.
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Carrot-and-Fennel Salad
Recipe: Carrot-and-Fennel Salad
Crispy bacon adds a salty finish to this salad, which makes it a great option your holiday feast.
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Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad
Recipe: Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad
Field peas and corn are drizzled in our summer sauce (an herb vinaigrette with mint, basil, and parsley), then topped with crispy bacon.
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Squash Ribbon Salad
Recipe: Squash Ribbon Salad
An easy veggie side for any summer meal.
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Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad
Recipe: Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad
A vinegar-based dressing and herbs take your typical cucumber and tomato mixture to the next level.
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Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey
Recipe: Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey
You'll be thankful that citrus season falls at the same time as all the family winter gatherings.
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Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad with Pancetta and Blue Cheese
Recipe: Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad with Pancetta and Blue Cheese
You can prepare this salad in advance so that all you need to do when guests come over is plate the ingredients together.
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Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad
Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad
Tangy Dijon mustard-apple cider vinaigrette makes a delicious topping for the sweet pumpkin and roasted kale.
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Watermelon Salad with Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
Recipe: Watermelon Salad with Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
The salty-sweet balance in this salad is just right. Pair it with your favorite summer pasta dish or grilled kabobs.
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Charred Summer Vegetable Salad
Recipe: Charred Summer Vegetable Salad
This hearty salad could be enjoyed on its own, but we think grilled chicken or shrimp would also be welcome additions.
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Watermelon Salad
Recipe: Watermelon Salad
This quick and easy salad is the side dish that you can bring to every summer gathering and no one will get tired of it.
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Turnip Green Salad
Recipe: Turnip Green Salad
We're here to prove there's another way to enjoy turnip greens that doesn't include simmering them with ham hocks.
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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Recipe: Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
We can't think of a better way to show off summer's hottest produce.
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Spicy Grilled Corn Salad
Recipe: Spicy Grilled Corn Salad
Serve this alongside tacos for a delicious and spicy dinner.
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Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad
Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad
This salad is a great starter for any winter meal.
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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad
Recipe: Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad
Summer really is the time for all the best side salads. This salad is bursting with flavor and only requires a few ingredients.
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Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans
Recipe: Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans
Ready-to-eat peeled and steamed beets cut the cook time down to just 15 minutes for this salad.
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Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
Recipe: Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
This salad is a great addition to those heavier winter meals. It's pretty on a plate and a light, flavorful dish.
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Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta
Recipe: Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta
No need to leave the grill when it's time to prepare this unexpected summer side dish.Â
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Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
Recipe: Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
You can make the candied pecans ahead of time so that assembling the salad is even easier.
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Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries
Recipe: Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries
This may be the best fall side salad we've ever had.
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Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad
Recipe: Toasted Couscous and Tomato Salad
The saltiness of the parmesan cheese shavings mixed with the sweet, juicy tomatoes makes this an irresistible summer salad.
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Bitter Greens Salad with Lemon and Pecorino
Recipe: Bitter Greens Salad with Lemon and Pecorino
This salad is versatile enough to be served alongside anything from a cheesy pasta dish to a seared steak.
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Watercress Salad
Recipe: Watercress Salad
Watercress peaks in April through June, but we wouldn't blame you if you served this salad all year long.