20 Easy Salads Grandma Would’ve Made for Mother’s Day

Some salads are tossed together, and some feel like a memory on a plate. These are the kinds of easy salads Grandma would’ve brought to the table on Mother’s Day without checking a recipe card. They’re simple, classic, and always seem to disappear before the main dish is served. All 20 are the kind of side dishes that still get remembered years later.

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

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad keeps things easy with fast-cooking grains and whatever vegetables you’ve got. Grandma would’ve loved how it cleaned out the fridge, but it still looked like a plan. Among easy salads, it gets points for being both flexible and dependable. And yes, someone will ask you what’s in it before they grab seconds.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad combines cucumber, tomato, and onion with just enough lemon to make every bite feel crisp. Grandma would’ve loved how quickly it comes together without ever needing to measure. It’s light and colorful and somehow still gets seconds called on it at any table—definitely an easy salad. Even the vinegar skeptics quietly grab more.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous feels like something Grandma would have made for company, even if the company was just family. It’s a little hearty from the couscous, but still bright and fresh thanks to citrus and tender asparagus. Out of all the easy salads, it’s one that feels both familiar and just special enough. You could hear someone say, “I wasn’t expecting to like that so much.”
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

California Steak Salad

California Steak Salad hits that perfect middle ground between dinner and salad, and Grandma would’ve raised her eyebrows, then gone back for more. With crisp greens, sliced steak, avocado, and a quick vinaigrette, it works when you don’t want to fuss. It’s one of those easy salads that quietly becomes a main. Even the uncles might admit it was better than the burgers.
Get the Recipe: California Steak 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 doesn’t need a grill to feel bold. Grandma would’ve appreciated how it uses leftover chicken, sweet corn, and simple dressing to make something new. It’s fast, no-frills, and one of those easy salads that earns its spot next to the potato salad. It gets nods before the lid’s even off.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken 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 has just enough crunch to surprise everyone at the table. With cool cucumber and crisped rice layered in, it’s got texture that makes it more than just a side. It’s one of those easy salads that could have been a major attraction at the table. Grandma would’ve liked how little time it takes to pull off. And that no one waited to serve themselves a second scoop.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice 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 adds a kick that wakes up every plate it’s served with. It’s cool, quick, and hits the balance of tangy and spicy that even Grandma would’ve commented on. Out of all the easy salads, it’s the one that makes the side dish table more interesting. Someone always goes back to “check the spice level” again.
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 is rich, classic, and full of those old-school flavors Grandma never wrote down. With peas, pickles, and boiled eggs folded into mayo-dressed potatoes, the easy salad is always polished off first. It doesn’t look flashy, but it’s the one everyone remembers. And somehow, there’s never enough left for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad has all the boldness of its grilled namesake, without needing a grill. Grandma would’ve appreciated how quickly it comes together from corn, mayo, lime, and cheese. It brings color, crunch, and brightness to any spread of easy salads. You know it’s good when people start scraping the sides of the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn 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 make the case that not all salads need greens. Crispy, golden, and made without a pan, these little patties bring comfort and crunch to the table. Grandma definitely would’ve called them smart easy salad. And no one’s calling them a side once they disappear faster than the main.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hash Browns

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 makes quick work of dinner prep without missing flavor. It’s fresh, filling, and made with things Grandma probably had on hand already. One of those easy salads that hits the table cold but disappears warm. Even the picky cousin ended up asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber Salad

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad is straight out of Grandma’s kitchen—simple, crisp, and dressed in sour cream. It’s a quick fix when you need a side and don’t want to cook. One of those easy salads that tastes like it’s been around for generations. Every bite makes the main dish feel less important.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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 feels fancy but only takes a few minutes to pull off. It uses pantry basics to build something Grandma would’ve proudly served with toast. Among the easy salads, it brings just enough richness to make it brunch-worthy. It’s the one people whisper about and pretend they made.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Pizza Salad

Pizza Salad gives the whole table something to talk about. It has all the toppings you want—cheese, pepperoni, croutons—but still counts as one of the easy salads. Grandma would’ve chuckled at the name and taken a second scoop anyway. It’s the kind of side that makes everyone rethink salad night.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

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

Asian Cucumber Salad has that sweet-sour bite that wakes up anything else on the plate. It’s fast, flavorful, and keeps well in the fridge, which Grandma would’ve called practical. It’s one of those easy salads that makes a light dinner feel like plenty. And somehow, everyone thinks they were the one who discovered it.
Get the Recipe: Asian 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 adds just enough flair without adding time. With maple, lime, and sesame, it feels bright and new, even if Grandma could’ve whipped it up in a jar. It stands out without taking over, which makes it perfect next to anything. You know it hit right when everyone stops mid-bite to say something.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

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 walk the line between lunch and party plate. They’re cool, quick, and make plain shrimp feel like something special. Among all the easy salads, these look like you tried without even trying. Even Grandpa might ask how you made them so fast.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad has chew, color, and just enough sweet from the raisins to make it memorable. It’s fast, filling, and works hot or cold, which Grandma would’ve loved. Out of all the easy salads, it’s the one that made a few cousins stop and whisper, “Wait—what’s in this?” It leaves a lot of empty forks and no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

A bowl of salmon pasta salad with a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprig of dill. — Easy Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad makes a solid meal out of pantry staples and leftover fish. It’s light enough for lunch but hearty enough for Grandpa not to grumble. One of those easy salads that somehow gets more compliments than the main dish. Nobody remembers what it was supposed to go with.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad turns fresh zucchini into something even Grandma would’ve called smart. It’s quick to toss together with olive oil, lemon, and a bit of garlic. As one of those easy salads that doesn’t even need lettuce, it still disappears fast. The kind of bowl that leaves a fork resting empty but hopeful.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad