15 Salads That Could’ve Sat Beside the Ham at Every Holiday Dinner

Some salads are just there, and some could’ve sat beside the ham at every holiday dinner. These 15 recipes bring real flavor, texture, and presence to the table. Whether crisp, creamy, tangy, or bold, each one feels like it belongs next to the main dish without being an afterthought. This isn’t filler—these are the salads that hold their own at every holiday gathering.

A black plate with a halved avocado filled with a shrimp salad, garnished with lime. A fork rests beside it. A wooden board holds more avocado halves in the background. A wooden bowl with mixed salad ingredients is partially visible. — Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad loads up on crunch and color with chopped vegetables folded into fluffy couscous. It’s easy to prep, serve, and still feels like it belongs at a special meal. This salad holds up well on a buffet table and pairs effortlessly with classic holiday mains. One bite in, and it could steal some attention from the ham.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

California Steak Salad

California Steak Salad pairs juicy steak with crisp greens and a vinaigrette that keeps things balanced. It brings the kind of flavor that fits in with holiday spreads without needing extra sides. The texture and taste stand strong on any dinner table. This one wouldn’t just sit beside the ham—it might outshine it.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad skips the usual greens for spiralized squash that holds texture and flavor without getting soggy. It’s fast to prepare and works well with heavier holiday mains. The avocado adds richness, while the veggies keep it fresh and light. It’s the kind of salad that earns its spot without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

An overhead shot of a wooden serving bowl filled with salad next to cornbread on a cutting board. — Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad brings bold barbecue flavor that still keeps its salad roots intact. The crunch from the greens and the tangy dressing give it enough kick to hold up at a holiday dinner. It’s fast, hearty, and full of contrast. With this on the table, no one’s skipping the salad course.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous mixes bright lemon with tender asparagus and couscous for a dish that feels right for spring gatherings. It’s quick to make and sturdy enough to sit out during long meals. The citrus keeps it from feeling heavy, even when the rest of the table is stacked with mains. This salad could have held its own beside any glazed ham.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Two slices of bread topped with egg salad and garnished with fresh herbs are placed on a gray plate. A small dish with lemon slices is partially visible in the background on the left. The surface below is light-colored. — Baked Feta and Egg Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Baked Feta and Egg Salad skips the mayo and turns to rich, baked cheese and eggs for flavor that hits differently. It works as a side or light main and doesn’t wilt under pressure. The texture stands out without needing extra flair. Holiday guests wouldn’t expect it—but they’d ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad is sharp, crisp, and fast to make, with cucumber, tomato, and herbs leading the way. The lemon adds brightness without overpowering the dish. It holds its shape and flavor well through long meals. This is the kind of salad that refreshes the plate between bites of ham.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Quinoa Cucumber Salad

A white plate with a serving of quinoa salad mixed with diced cucumbers, chopped herbs, red onions, nuts, and feta cheese. A gold fork is resting on the plate. The background is a light, textured surface. — Quinoa Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Quinoa Cucumber Salad layers crisp vegetables with nutty quinoa for a dish that sticks with you without feeling heavy. It’s quick to throw together and easy to serve at room temp. The ingredients speak for themselves, keeping the flavors balanced and clean. On any holiday table, this one could hang with the mains.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber 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 (Olivier Salad) uses classic ingredients like peas, potatoes, and pickles to build something that feels both fresh and rich. The texture is cool and creamy without going overboard. It’s the kind of salad that works across seasons and sides. Ham or not, this belongs on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Asian Cucumber Salad

A bowl featuring pickled cucumbers and chopsticks. — Asian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

Asian Cucumber Salad uses thinly sliced cucumbers to soak up a tangy-sweet dressing that hits fast. It comes together quickly and holds up without going limp. There’s enough bite and flavor here to stand beside heavier mains. It’s a quiet scene-stealer in a salad bowl.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Overhead view of cucumber salad. — Ukrainian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad is crisp, refreshing, and simple, with fresh herbs and a light dressing bringing it all together. It’s ready in minutes and holds its flavor through long meals. There’s nothing flashy—just clean, balanced flavor. This salad belongs on tables that serve up tradition.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad brings spice and texture to the table without overwhelming the palate. The chewy couscous, herbs, and citrus work well with roasted meats and spring vegetables. It’s easy to prep ahead and won’t fade on the plate. This salad can stand beside anything, even the ham.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous 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 brings heat and crunch to every bite, shaking up the idea of what a side salad can be. It’s bold enough to stand next to anything on the table, including glazed meats. The prep is fast, but the flavor lingers. This one earns a spot among the classics.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

A bowl of salad containing leafy greens, fresh herbs, sliced onions, and black sesame seeds on a light surface. Another dish with similar contents is partially visible to the side. There are scattered herbs around the bowl. — Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame adds just the right amount of brightness to cut through a heavy meal. It keeps things interesting with a combo of textures and light sweetness. The herbs add lift without needing heavy dressings or dairy. It may not be traditional, but it fits right in.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados

Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados take a bold turn from traditional greens, packing shrimp into halved avocados for a meal in itself. The citrus ties it back to spring flavors without being too heavy. It’s easy to serve and even easier to eat. Holiday tables aren’t always this clever.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados