20 Salads That Brought Back Grandma’s Big Bowl

Big bowls and bold flavors never really left the table—they just needed the right salad to bring them back. These 20 salads pack enough texture, color, and heart to feel like something Grandma would’ve served at a family meal. From crowd-sized servings to no-fuss prep, each one earns its spot in the center of the table. If you’ve been missing the big bowl energy, these recipes bring it back in full.

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

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous brings brightness and crunch together in a way that feels like it came straight from a big family table. The couscous keeps it hearty while the asparagus adds a fresh bite. It’s fast to make and perfect for passing around. This salad earns its place next to Grandma’s biggest bowl.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

California Steak Salad

California Steak Salad piles juicy steak over crisp greens with enough extras to turn it into the main event. The citrus vinaigrette ties everything together without weighing it down. It’s the kind of hearty salad you serve when you want everyone to leave the table full. Big bowls were made for salads like this.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad packs fresh crunch and chewy grains into one bowl built for seconds. It comes together quickly and holds up well for picnics or potlucks. The texture alone makes it feel like something passed around at Sunday lunch. Grandma would’ve called this the “good salad.”
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad skips the greens and uses spiralized squash for a different take that still fills a bowl with flavor. Avocado and herbs keep it balanced and light. It serves well cold and can sit out without falling flat. This one feels like something Grandma would’ve been curious about—and proud of.
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 loads up on flavor with smoky chicken, crunchy greens, and bold dressing. It’s a full meal in a bowl but still fast enough for a weeknight. The balance of texture and taste gives it that homemade feel. It’s the kind of salad that would’ve had its own spot at the church potluck.
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 leans on texture with crunchy rice and cooling cucumbers tossed in a punchy dressing. It breaks all the usual salad rules while still hitting the mark. Each bite has crunch, flavor, and freshness built in. This is the kind of bowl Grandma would’ve been proud to show off.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice 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 brings a big bowl energy with light grains and crisp vegetables tossed in a quick dressing. It works as a base for lunch or a side at a bigger spread. The balance of freshness and substance makes it worth repeating. It’s the kind of salad you remember next time you’ve got a crowd to feed.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad goes big with charred corn, herbs, and creamy dressing packed into every spoonful. It feels bold and messy in the best way—like the kind of salad meant to be shared. It comes together fast and works for any season. This one’s the reason Grandma always used the biggest bowl she owned.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn 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 mixes chopped vegetables, pickles, and eggs into a creamy salad built for crowd-size servings. It holds up well in the fridge and scoops clean onto any plate. The texture mix makes it more than just filler. It’s the kind of salad you’d expect to see next to Grandma’s roast.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier 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 keeps it simple with sliced cucumbers tossed in a fiery dressing that doesn’t hold back. The heat builds with each bite but never overwhelms. It’s fast to prep and works best in big batches. This is the salad that always comes back empty.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber 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 crunchy edges and soft centers to any salad spread without much effort. While not a salad itself, it balances out the greens on the table. Quick to make and easy to serve, they round out the plate just right. Grandma would’ve called them the secret weapon.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hash Browns

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad keeps things clean and crisp with cucumbers, herbs, and just enough dressing to tie it together. It’s the kind of dish you can throw together quickly and still feel proud to serve. Simple, fresh, and built for big bowls. Grandma would’ve made extra just in case.
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 brings melty cheese and soft eggs into a salad that eats like a meal. There’s no mayo here, but it’s still rich and filling in every scoop. It works warm or cold and serves easily from a tray. This is the kind of salad that makes the table go quiet.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta and Egg Salad

Pizza Salad

Pizza Salad turns familiar pizza toppings into a salad big enough to call dinner. Lettuce, cheese, and sauce-inspired dressing make it crowd-friendly and easy to customize. It’s quick to toss together and serves well in big batches. If Grandma made salads like this, we’d have asked for seconds every time.
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 slices up fast and brings tang and crunch in equal measure. The dressing coats each piece with flavor that holds up even after chilling. It pairs well with heavier dishes or stands on its own. This salad doesn’t need greens to make a big impression.
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 layers crisp lettuce with just enough sweet, salty, and sour to stand out without getting complicated. The sesame adds crunch while the herbs keep things fresh. It holds up well in a big bowl without wilting too quickly. This is how Grandma would’ve done modern salads.
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 take creamy avocado halves and fill them with shrimp tossed in citrus and herbs. It eats like a full plate but presents clean and light. It works cold and can be prepped ahead with little effort. Grandma would’ve served this when she wanted to impress.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad fills the bowl with chewy grains, bold spices, and fresh herbs that hold up to big servings. It eats well at room temp and stays strong on buffet tables. The mix of texture and flavor makes it feel like a main. Grandma would’ve let this one speak for itself.
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 combines soft noodles, flaky fish, and crisp vegetables in a bowl that works for any time of day. It’s fast to put together and keeps well in the fridge. Each bite brings something new without feeling fussy. This is the kind of salad Grandma would pack for a long day out.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad chops cucumbers and tomatoes into a bright, lemony dish that works best in big, chilled bowls. The flavor stays sharp and clean without needing much else. It’s ready in minutes and holds up well in the fridge. This is the one you keep bringing back because Grandma would’ve done the same.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad