15 Quick and Easy Side Dish Salads (2024)

Short on time doesn't mean short on flavor. A fresh, crisp salad is always a welcome side dish to any meal— from a casual lunch to the most formal dinner. But with all the time it takes to prep a meal, the last thing you need is a side dish salad that's complicated and time-consuming to make. Have we got a solution for you! Here are 15 quick and easy side salad recipes that'll come in handy, whether for a potluck, holiday, or just another weeknight.

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Herb 'n Honey Cucumber Tomato Salad

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"Crisp and sweetly delicious, this salad is a wonderful addition to any summer picnic. May serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to four hours before serving for enhanced flavor," recipe creator Ginny Maziarka says. A fresh, flavorful blend of delicate flavors that we highly recommend.

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Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad

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Reviewers attest that this salad truly lives up to its name. It fits in just as well at a barbecue as it would at at an upscale restaurant. The classic creaminess and rustic croutons are always reliably delicious.

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Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

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Some of our home cooks have swapped certain ingredients for others, like strawberries for mandarin oranges and walnuts for almonds. Others make this sweet, tangy salad as it is. Do as you please—the poppy seed dressing speaks for itself.

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Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad

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"Very nice salad. We liked it with our Thanksgiving dinner because it was light and tasty," Julie Burke says. Perfect for adding to a holiday spread when guests are on their way and you're feeling the all too familiar kitchen fatigue.

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Easy Apple Coleslaw

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Make this easy barbecue side salad your own with add-ins like pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, pecans, or sunflower seeds — just a few of the variations our home cooks have tried. A creamy, sharp comfort that works well with lean proteins.

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Thai-Inspired Sunomono with Jalapeno, Cilantro, and Basil

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Serve this aromatic cucumber side salad to spice up a weeknight dinner. A beautiful blend of warming spices gives this simple salad a kick. Try it with pork for a great balance of fat and acid.

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Strawberry Avocado Salad

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The sweet, crisp, and wholly satisfying taste of this salad makes it a clear winner for potlucks or a quick weeknight side. Its lovely color and health benefits make it one of our favorites.

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Quick and Easy Carrot and Chickpea Salad

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"I love this fresh and satisfying salad and have had it as a side salad and as a main dish for lunch," AnnInLondon writes. "Simple, inexpensive, quick to put together and it uses ingredients that I always have on hand."

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Baja Salad

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Home cooks recommend serving this salad with grilled chicken, empanadas, quesadillas, or even pizza. This southwestern-inspired fare has all of the colorful and tasty elements we love in a salad! Remember to toss well before serving and enjoy.

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Taco Slaw

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Home cooks write that this Mexican-inspired coleslaw works well as a side salad or as a topping for tacos of all kinds. Brightly colored and delicious is the name of the game for this yummy slaw.

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Good for You Greek Salad

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"Fabulous! I made this to go with gnocchi and baked chicken. The two little girls I made it for loved it," Melissa Goff says. Kids and adults alike agree on the yum-factor for this healthy and delicious Greek salad.

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Kale Salad

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"I am thrilled that I tried this recipe and that I read every review," Monique Douglas says. "It is critical to massage the kale. To do this, remove the stems, put a little olive oil on your hands, and knead the kale like you would bread for about five minutes, or until it is a dark rich green."

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Watermelon Salad with Arugula and Feta

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Simple, sweet, and delicious. Perfect for a picnic or a summer brunch. A bright, refreshing salad with a balanced combination of ingredients. Feel free to add poppy or chia seeds for added health benefits and a nice crunch.

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Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette

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A beautifully flavored blend of fruits, nut, and sharp cheese. All of the elements are covered in this gourmet salad. Each bite gives you a crisp and sweet sensation that will make you glad to keep all these ingredients on hand for a repeat!

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Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

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"Wonderful salad for the holiday season. Great to serve for dinner at home or to take to a family gathering," recipe author Nora LaCroix writes. This colorful array of fruit would fit right in a holiday table spread. Carefully segment citrus before tossing with the rest of the fruits.

More Salad Recipes

With a culinary background and experience in creating diverse salads, I've delved into the world of quick and flavorful side dishes extensively. Let's break down the concepts touched upon in the article you provided:

Salad Variety: The article showcases a range of salad types, from classic Caesar to Thai-inspired and winter fruit salads. Each brings its own blend of flavors and textures, catering to different occasions and tastes.
Recipe Diversity: The recipes vary not just in ingredients but also in complexity and time required. Some are quick and easy, while others might involve more prep work. They encompass salads with greens, fruits, nuts, and diverse dressings.
Ingredient Substitutions: Home cooks often personalize recipes by swapping ingredients. For instance, in the Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, there are variations with strawberries instead of mandarin oranges and almonds instead of walnuts, showing the adaptability of these salads.
Occasional Relevance: Specific salads like Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad or the Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing are highlighted as ideal for holidays or special occasions due to their flavors and seasonal ingredients.
Serve-With Suggestions: Pairing recommendations are provided, emphasizing the versatility of these salads. Suggestions range from serving with grilled chicken to being an accompaniment for tacos or even holiday spreads.
User Feedback and Experience: Reviews and comments from individuals who've tried the recipes provide insights into the taste, ease of preparation, and versatility of these salads. The feedback often includes personal touches or adaptations made by the cooks.

These concepts collectively emphasize the diverse and adaptable nature of salads, catering to different occasions, tastes, and levels of culinary expertise. Whether it's a quick weeknight side or a festive holiday addition, these recipes offer options for everyone seeking flavorful, time-efficient salads.