19 Simple Salads That'll Ruin Restaurant Salads Forever

Restaurant salads often miss the mark—too small, too bland, or too forgettable. These 19 simple salads prove that fresh ingredients and smart pairings can do more than just fill a plate. Every recipe here delivers bold flavor and texture that leaves overpriced greens in the dust. After this, you’ll wonder why you ever paid extra for a side 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.

California Steak Salad

California Steak Salad brings together juicy steak, crisp greens, and bold extras in a way that puts restaurant salads to shame. The citrus vinaigrette ties it all together, giving every bite a hit of brightness. It’s hearty enough to hold its own without needing a side dish. When greens show up like this, even the steak takes a back seat.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad keeps things simple but delivers big on flavor with crunchy vegetables and tender couscous. The mix of textures turns everyday greens into something worth remembering. It’s easy to make and even easier to crave. One bite of this and those pre-made salads don’t stand a chance.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous brings greens and grains together with a fresh, lemony finish that makes every forkful pop. It’s fast to throw together but doesn’t taste like it. The asparagus adds crunch while the couscous keeps it filling. This salad could easily show restaurant salads the door.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad swaps out lettuce for spiralized squash, proving that simple salads can still surprise. With avocado and seasoning layered in, it feels light but eats like something more. The noodles add texture without weighing things down. This is the kind of salad that doesn’t need a menu to win you over.
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 turns smoky, tangy chicken into the star of a salad that knows how to hold attention. The fresh greens and punchy dressing work together to keep every bite bold. It feels like comfort food dressed as a salad, but it still plays by the rules. Salads this good don’t sit quietly in the corner.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad mixes fresh greens with chewy couscous and a spiced dressing that adds heat without being heavy. Every bite brings something new, proving salads don’t have to be predictable. It works as a side but easily doubles as the main dish. Once you taste it, restaurant versions fall flat.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad uses cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs to build something bright, clean, and impossible to forget. A splash of lemon brings the flavor forward without crowding the freshness. It’s fast, simple, and packed with everything you wish restaurant salads actually delivered. You’ll start skipping the side salad menu after this.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi 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 combines crisp cucumbers with a bold, fiery dressing that leaves a lasting impression. It’s fast to make and brings serious flavor to the table. The heat doesn’t overpower—it just keeps you reaching for another bite. This is the kind of salad that sets a new bar for what greens should taste like.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean 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 folds together potatoes, peas, and pickles into a creamy dish that does more than just fill the plate. It’s a cool, sturdy option that still manages to feel fresh thanks to its mix of textures. Greens aren’t front and center—but they’re still doing the work behind the scenes. One bite of this and you’ll forget whatever came from a diner.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad brings crunchy cucumbers and herbs to the forefront with just enough dressing to pull it all together. It’s light, quick, and clean in flavor without being plain. There’s nothing over-the-top here—just greens done exactly right. This salad makes it clear that sometimes simple is all you need.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

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

Asian Cucumber Salad is cool, crisp, and coated in a tangy-sweet dressing that clings to every slice. It’s fast to prep and easy to pair with just about anything. There’s no fluff here—just real flavor that puts restaurant greens in the rearview. This one earns a permanent place on your rotation.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber 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 balances protein-packed grains with cool, crisp cucumbers for a dish that eats more than a side. The light dressing keeps it fresh without dulling the textures. It’s perfect for quick lunches or bulk meal prep. This is how you make a salad worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber 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 keeps things interesting with crunchy rice and cooling cucumbers tossed in a punchy dressing. The texture is the star, but the flavor holds up all the way through. It’s not your usual salad—and that’s the point. One forkful and restaurant greens feel like a letdown.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice 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 turns basic lettuce into a standout by layering herbs, lime, maple, and a sprinkle of sesame. It’s balanced, crisp, and just sweet enough to stand out from the usual options. There’s nothing tired about this take. This is how simple greens turn into something worth bragging about.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

Pizza Salad

Pizza Salad borrows the flavors of your favorite slice and mixes them into a bowl of greens that don’t hold back. With cheese, tomatoes, and crisp lettuce, every bite tastes familiar but lighter. It keeps the flavor without the grease. Once this hits the table, you’ll be rethinking your takeout orders.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Air Fryer Hash Browns

A plate with hash browns, eggs and avocado on a table. — Air Fryer Hash Browns. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Air Fryer Hash Browns bring crisp texture and deep golden edges that balance out any fresh salad on the table. While not a salad, they add that craveable crunch you didn’t know your greens needed. Fast to make and easy to pair, they play backup without stealing the show. Add these, and suddenly no one’s asking about the bread basket.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hash Browns

Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados

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.

Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados fill each half with a creamy, citrusy mix that tastes both light and complete. The shrimp adds depth, while the avocado makes it rich without overdoing it. It’s fast, flavorful, and surprisingly filling. Once you’ve had this, no restaurant wedge salad will do.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad takes the classic street food vibe and turns it into a bowl full of crunch, creaminess, and bold flavor. Tossed with herbs and fresh corn, it’s more than just a side. It’s messy in the best way and built to be shared. This salad won’t just ruin restaurant versions—it’ll replace them.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Baked Feta and Egg Salad brings warm, melty cheese and soft eggs together in a dish that skips the mayo but keeps the richness. It eats like comfort food but still manages to feel clean and fresh. Easy to serve in batches, it works for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Restaurant greens just can’t compete with this kind of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta and Egg Salad

19 Simple Salads That’ll Ruin Restaurant Salads Forever