15 Salads That Got Everyone Asking for the Bowl

There’s always one salad that empties faster than expected—now imagine fifteen. These recipes brought color, crunch, and real flavor to the table without playing backup. Packed with grains, greens, fruit, or spice, each one stood up strong next to the mains. No surprise everyone went back, bowl in hand.

Sesame Salmon Bowl with cucumber, avocado, sesame seeds, red cabbage, green onions and spring mix in a white bowl.
Sesame Salmon Bowl. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie couscous salad in a white serving bowl on a wooden board.
Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Veggie Couscous Salad comes together in about 20 minutes with pearl couscous, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta tossed in lemon dressing. The texture is tender with a bit of bite, and the flavor stays fresh and bright. Each bite mixes tangy, salty, and crisp elements. It’s easy to scoop and even easier to finish.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

A serving of shaved brussels sprouts salad next to the serving bowl of shaved brussels sprouts salad with salad servers in the middle.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad takes about 15 minutes and mixes raw Brussels sprouts with apples, walnuts, and Parmesan. The sprouts stay crisp while the cheese and nuts add richness and crunch. It’s slightly sweet, slightly savory, and balanced from top to bottom. People asked what it was after asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans.
Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer Orzo Salad takes under 30 minutes and combines orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs in a simple vinaigrette. The pasta stays light and doesn’t overpower the vegetables. The flavor leans fresh and herby with just enough acidity. It’s the kind of salad that disappears faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini noodle salad on a white square plate with a serving bowl in the background.
Zucchini Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Zucchini Noodle Salad comes together in 15 minutes with spiralized zucchini, tomatoes, chickpeas, and feta. The noodles stay crisp and light while the feta adds just enough salt. It’s tossed in lemon juice and herbs for a fresh, clean finish. Each forkful feels light but keeps you coming back.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan takes 15 minutes and softens hearty kale with olive oil, lemon, and fresh garlic. Parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs add salt and crunch without weighing it down. The texture is tender with bite, and the taste is bold but balanced. Even kale skeptics usually ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Tomato Burrata Salad

An assembled tomato burrata salad with sliced basil and burrata on a cutting board and a bowl of chopped heirloom tomatoes.
Tomato Burrata Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Tomato Burrata Salad takes 10 minutes and layers heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrata and a splash of balsamic. The cheese is soft and rich, pairing well with the acidity of the tomatoes. A little olive oil and salt pull everything together. It tastes like peak summer on every plate.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Green Bean Tomato Salad

Green beans and tomatoes on a white plate.
Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green Bean Tomato Salad takes about 20 minutes and mixes crisp green beans with sweet tomatoes and a light vinaigrette. The beans keep their crunch, and the dressing adds a tangy finish. Fresh herbs round out the flavor without complicating it. It’s the kind of salad that makes you skip the rest.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad comes together in 10 minutes with sliced cucumbers tossed in garlic, sesame oil, and gochugaru. The flavor hits fast with heat, salt, and vinegar in equal parts. The cucumbers stay crunchy and cold, perfect for cutting through heavier dishes. It’s sharp, simple, and hard to forget.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Mexican Street Corn Salad takes about 15 minutes and mixes corn, lime juice, chili powder, cotija, and mayonnaise. The flavor is smoky, tangy, and creamy all at once. The corn keeps a bit of char, giving the dish some depth. It’s messy in the best way and always goes quickly.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

A close-up of a dish featuring rice, sliced cucumbers, herbs, and pieces of a pink ingredient, possibly grapefruit. A spoon is lifting a portion from the plate. The background shows a small bowl with a yellow interior.
Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad takes about 30 minutes and layers crunchy rice, sliced cucumber, and herbs with a tangy soy-based dressing. The rice adds texture while the cucumber keeps it cool. Each bite blends salty, sour, and crisp in the right ratio. It’s bright, punchy, and built to be shared.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves.
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad takes about 45 minutes and combines boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and eggs with creamy dressing. The texture is thick but smooth, and every bite feels both familiar and filling. The tang from pickles sets it apart. It’s the one salad no one remembers by name but always empties.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad in a white serving bowl.
Shirazi Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Shirazi Salad comes together in 10 minutes and chops cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion into a citrusy, herb-filled mix. The dressing is sharp with lime and slightly sweet with a hint of olive oil. The vegetables stay crisp and refreshing. It’s the one bowl that never makes it back with leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Mango Salad

Mango Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Mango Salad takes 15 minutes and tosses ripe mango with red onion, herbs, and a lime-chili dressing. The mango brings sweetness while the chili adds heat that doesn’t overwhelm. The flavors land bold, bright, and balanced. Every spoonful wakes up the plate it’s next to.
Get the Recipe: Mango Salad

Green Jacket Salad Recipe

A fresh green jacket salad with a variety of vegetables and a light dressing.
Green Jacket Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Green Jacket Salad takes 20 minutes and mixes greens with bacon, egg, croutons, and homemade dressing. The flavor is tangy and salty with a bit of richness from the egg. Each bite is hearty but still light enough to keep going. It’s the kind of salad that shows up with confidence.
Get the Recipe: Green Jacket Salad Recipe

Sesame Salmon Bowl

Sesame Salmon Bowl with cucumber, avocado, sesame seeds, red cabbage, green onions and spring mix in a white bowl.
Sesame Salmon Bowl. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sesame Salmon Bowl takes 30 minutes and combines roasted salmon, greens, rice, and sesame dressing into a well-balanced meal. The salmon is tender with a nutty finish from the seeds and sauce. Crisp vegetables add texture while the rice keeps it grounded. It’s technically a salad, but nobody’s arguing when it shows up.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Salmon Bowl

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

If you love this recipe, please give it a FIVE-STAR rating along with your comment. Star ratings make it easier for people to find my recipes online. Thank you for all the love and support!

Sincerely,

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *