15 Salads That Could Ruin Your Relationship With Ranch

Ranch used to be the go-to for every salad, but these recipes don’t need it. They bring enough crunch, flavor, and balance on their own. With real ingredients and bold dressings, they hold up without the bottle. After trying a few of these, you might forget ranch was ever in the fridge.

Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad recipe — Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Summer Orzo Salad

Oval dish of orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, zucchini slices, and herbs, surrounded by cucumber slices, on a wooden table. Green beans are nearby. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer orzo salad takes 25 minutes and includes orzo pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemony vinaigrette. The flavor is bright and fresh with a little tang. It holds up well and tastes even better cold. It’s the kind of salad that doesn’t miss the dressing aisle.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Plate with sliced avocado, halved boiled eggs, and a salad of shredded greens, cranberries, and diced nuts. — Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Shaved Brussels sprouts salad takes 20 minutes and uses thinly sliced sprouts, onions, bacon, and a light dressing. It’s crunchy, savory, and holds its own on the plate. The sprouts soak up flavor without wilting. It makes you forget creamy dressings ever existed.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

A plate of zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes and diced yellow bell peppers, served in front of a glass bowl with more salad. A folded napkin and forks are in the background. — Zucchini Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Zucchini noodle salad takes 15 minutes and includes spiralized zucchini, tomatoes, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze. It’s light and crisp with a nice mix of sweet and tangy. The texture stays fresh without getting soggy. It’s a salad that skips the bottle and still satisfies.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad

A white bowl filled with couscous salad, containing diced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and garnished with herbs. A spoon is placed in the bowl. — Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Veggie couscous salad takes 30 minutes and uses couscous, bell peppers, cucumbers, and a citrusy dressing. The couscous gives it a soft base while the veggies keep it crunchy. The flavor is clean and just enough. It’s one of those salads that doesn’t need help from ranch.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

A white dish filled with kale leaves topped with slices of cheese. A glass of water, a fork, and a napkin are in the background on a dark wooden table. — Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Rubbed kale salad with parmesan takes 15 minutes and features kale, lemon, garlic, and grated parmesan. The texture is tender but still has bite. The lemon and cheese balance it without getting heavy. It’s a strong choice for anyone tired of creamy dressings.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Greek Quinoa Salad

A bowl of quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and leafy greens, topped with a piece of flatbread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek quinoa salad takes 25 minutes and includes quinoa, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta. The taste is sharp and salty with a little crunch. The quinoa keeps it filling without weighing it down. It’s got enough going on that ranch wouldn’t know where to land.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks

Bulgur salad with roasted butternut squash and leeks takes about 45 minutes and uses bulgur, roasted squash, and caramelized leeks. The flavor is deep and earthy with a touch of sweetness. The bulgur holds up without turning mushy. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus asparagus couscous takes 30 minutes and features asparagus, couscous, orange segments, and lemon juice. The flavor is sharp and refreshing with just a little bite from the asparagus. The citrus keeps things light. It’s the kind of combo that makes creamy dressings feel out of place.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato burrata salad takes 10 minutes and includes tomatoes, burrata cheese, basil, and olive oil. The cheese is rich and creamy on its own. The tomatoes add brightness and balance. It’s a salad that proves you don’t need bottled dressing to bring flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Pea Salad

Pea salad takes 15 minutes and includes peas, cheddar, red onion, and a simple creamy dressing. The flavor is sweet and salty with a little crunch. It’s chilled, simple, and keeps well. It’s the only one here that nods at creaminess—but still does it differently.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded carrots and raisins on a wooden surface, next to a red and white checkered cloth. — Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Carrot raisin salad takes 10 minutes and includes shredded carrots, raisins, and a light citrus dressing. It’s sweet and crisp with a chewy bite from the raisins. The mix is refreshing and simple. It’s what happens when you let fruit do the work.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Pistachio Fluff Salad

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries. — Pistachio Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pistachio fluff salad takes 10 minutes and uses pistachio pudding, whipped topping, pineapple, and marshmallows. It’s sweet, fluffy, and more dessert than side. The texture is soft with a bit of crunch from the nuts. It’s the salad that ignores ranch completely—and that’s the point.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff Salad

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon. — Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Cabbage apple salad takes 15 minutes and includes shredded cabbage, apples, and a vinegar-based dressing. The crunch is strong, and the apple adds just enough sweetness. The dressing keeps it sharp without getting in the way. It’s a clean break from anything creamy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Purple Cabbage And Pickled Mushroom Salad

Purple cabbage and pickled mushroom salad takes 20 minutes and includes cabbage, pickled mushrooms, herbs, and oil. The flavor is bold, earthy, and slightly sour. The crunch holds up even after sitting. It’s the kind of dish that clears out the fridge—and the ranch bottle.
Get the Recipe: Purple Cabbage And Pickled Mushroom Salad

Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Hot and sour shredded napa cabbage salad takes 15 minutes and features napa cabbage, chili oil, rice vinegar, and garlic. The taste is sharp, spicy, and salty. The cabbage stays crisp under the heat. It’s a flavor punch that doesn’t need creamy backup.
Get the Recipe: Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad