Make way for the top 13 salads of the year—these greens are ready to steal the show! From quirky combinations to bold flavors, these salads are here to spice up your meals and break the salad monotony. Get ready to ditch the boring lettuce and embrace a colorful parade of fresh ideas. These top picks promise to make your meals more exciting and delicious than ever before!
![A salad bowl filled with vegetables and peas.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/7-Layer-Salad-1.jpg)
Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
![A bowl of vibrant pasta salad with penne, cherry tomatoes, black olives, diced cucumbers, red onions, and a drizzle of dressing.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MSN-Pasta-Salad.jpg)
Fire up the grill because Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies is here to turn up the heat on your typical pasta salad. It’s chock-full of smoky, grilled goodness tossed with your favorite pasta for a smoky twist on the classic. Whether you’re planning a potluck or packing a picnic, this salad is ready to be your star side. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak more veggies into your day in the tastiest way possible.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
Macaroni Salad
![A spoon lifting a serving of creamy macaroni salad with diced red onion and fresh herbs, with pepper sprinkled on top.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MSN-Macaroni-Salad.jpg)
If salads were friends, Macaroni Salad would be the dependable one who’s always invited to your BBQs. It’s creamy, it’s comforting, and let’s be honest, it pairs well with just about everything from hot dogs to steak. With its harmonious blend of soft and slightly sweet profiles, it takes the crown as the family reunion hero. Don’t forget, this one will have you coming back for seconds—or thirds!
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
![Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Korean-Cucumber-2.jpg)
Sometimes all you need is a little kick to keep things exciting, and Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad delivers just that. This dish brings a perfect twist to the table, combining refreshingly cool cucumbers with a spicy dressing that dances on your palate. It’s a small dish with big personality—perfect for spicing up your dinner spread! Plus, it’s a crispy, cool companion that’s not afraid to bring some heat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
Waldorf Salad
![Waldorf salad on a bed of lettuce, with salad servers resting on top.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Waldorf-Salad-3.jpg)
Trust Waldorf Salad to turn any meal into a classy affair with its combination of crisp apples and crunchy walnuts. It’s like a fancy party in a bowl, ready to jazz up your mealtime with a textural delight. Whether you’re aiming to impress some dinner guests or just treating yourself to a fancy lunch, this salad has got your back. Brace yourself for crunchiness with a touch of class.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad
Avocado Salad
![Avocado salad with dressing in a serving bowl.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Avocado-Salad-2.jpg)
Avocalley avocado! Avocado Salad brings creamy deliciousness in every bite, making it a favorite among those who crave something lusciously green and wholly satisfying. It’s the MVP for healthy, filling salads, perfect for those days when you want a light, yet hearty meal. Plus, it’s forgiving enough to welcome any of your favorite add-ons, tailoring to your every mood!
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
![Close-up of a flavorful chicken salad with diced chicken, green onions, chopped pecans, and raisins, all served on a bed of fresh spinach leaves.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MSN-Chicken-Salad.jpg)
Here’s a salad that isn’t just throwing ingredients in a bowl and mixing them up. Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad has got the zing and crunch to transform your ordinary chicken into something spectacular. It’s the type of salad you’d take home to meet your mom—respectable yet fascinating with its mix of textures. Plus, who can resist a little nuttiness and sweetness with their greens?
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad
![Sliced halloumi cheese, beets and greens in a white ceramic bowl.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Beetroot-and-Grilled-Halloumi.jpg)
Bold colors and bold flavors—that’s Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad in a nutshell. This salad doesn’t just sit on your plate; it stands out, making a statement with its vivid colors and distinct flavors. It’s a little sweet, a little salty, and all fabulous. Not only does it win on the taste front, but it also steals the show visually, making sure it’s the center of attention at your dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad
Cobb Salad
![A close-up of a Cobb salad featuring sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, boiled eggs, red onion, bacon bits, and blue cheese crumbles on a bed of lettuce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MSN-Cobb-Salad.jpg)
Ever thrown a bunch of delicious things in a bowl and discovered magic? That’s basically a Cobb Salad for you. It’s like the Avengers of salads—every ingredient is a superhero in its own right, coming together to battle hunger pangs heroically. With a little of this and a little of that, it manages to find a balance that’s just right, proving yet again that more is marvelous.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
![A bowl of fresh red cabbage coleslaw garnished with herbs.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Red-Cabbage-Coleslaw.jpg)
Red Cabbage Coleslaw swaps out the classic green for something a little more flashy; because sometimes, your meal just needs a pop of color. Crunchy, tangy, and a feast for the eyes, it’s like the top model of the coleslaw world. Pair it with any grilled dish and watch how it brings everything alive with its vibrant hues and flavors. A true highlight at any cookout or BBQ!
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Caprese Pasta Salad
![Caprese pasta salad in a bowl with fresh tomatoes by the side.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Caprese-Pasta-Salad.jpg)
Caprese Pasta Salad takes all the lovely elements of a classic Caprese and gives it a hearty twist by bringing pasta into the mix. It’s all about fresh flavors that sing with every bite, making it perfect for sunny picnics or cool dinner sides. This dish is like summer in a bowl, ready to brighten your day with its simple yet vibrant appeal. It’s basically sunshine, converted into edible form.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
Pizza Salad
![Homemade pizza salad in a serving bowl with wooden salad servers resting on top.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Pizza-Salad-3.jpg)
Who said you can’t make friends with salad?
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad
Easy Caprese Salad
![Caprese salad in a serving bowl, with tomatoes, oil and balsamic glaze nearby.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Caprese-Salad-3.jpg)
Simplicity is the soul of elegance, and Easy Caprese Salad exemplifies this through and through. With just a handful of ingredients, this salad shines bright, flaunting its bold colors and flavors. It’s perfect for a quick fix that looks as good as it tastes. More importantly, it’s your go-to when you want a touch of gourmet without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad
7 Layer Salad
![A salad bowl filled with vegetables and peas.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/7-Layer-Salad-1.jpg)
Layered like a culinary rainbow, this salad is as fun to build as it is to eat. Forget about simplicity; this dish is all about the stack-up of various, hearty ingredients. In the world of salads, 7 Layer sits at the cool kids table, bursting with colors and textures. It’s the side dish you pull out when you want to impress at potlucks or feature a show-stopping item on your dinner menu.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad