The Best Side Salad Recipes that Showcase Seasonal Ingredients

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon

We don't think there can ever be too many strawberries or bacon bits.

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.

Recipe: Three-Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Tangy Creole Dressing

The dressing on this salad will convert even the pickiest salad eaters.

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.

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.

Recipe: Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

This lightened-up version of a Caesar salad is great for pizza night or pasta night.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad

This twist on a classic Italian Panzanella salad shows off all the delicious summer produce flavors.

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. 

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.

Recipe: Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Nothing quite says "spring is here" like a fresh berry salad.

Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

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

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.

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.

Recipe: Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad

The tomatoes and melon in this salad soak up the delicious lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette for a refreshing bite.

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.

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.

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Salad

This salad is just as good as the creamy broccoli salad you grew up if not better.

Recipe: Shaved Carrot, Asparagus, and Apple Salad

This salad is all the refreshing crunch that we look for in a fall mix.

Recipe: Carrot-and-Fennel Salad

Crispy bacon adds a salty finish to this salad, which makes it a great option your holiday feast.

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.

Recipe: Squash Ribbon Salad

An easy veggie side for any summer meal.

Recipe: Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad

A vinegar-based dressing and herbs take your typical cucumber and tomato mixture to the next level.

Recipe: Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

You'll be thankful that citrus season falls at the same time as all the family winter gatherings.

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.

Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

Tangy Dijon mustard-apple cider vinaigrette makes a delicious topping for the sweet pumpkin and roasted kale.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

We can't think of a better way to show off summer's hottest produce.

Recipe: Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

Serve this alongside tacos for a delicious and spicy dinner.

Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

This salad is a great starter for any winter meal.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Recipe: Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

This may be the best fall side salad we've ever had.

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.

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.

Recipe: Watercress Salad

Watercress peaks in April through June, but we wouldn't blame you if you served this salad all year long.