21 Salads That Could’ve Crashed a Sunday Brunch

Brunch isn’t always about waffles and eggs—sometimes the salad steals the show. These 21 recipes don’t sit quietly on the side of the plate. They’ve got enough crunch, flavor, and color to hold their own at any table. If they showed up uninvited, no one would’ve minded.

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs. — Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Summer Orzo Salad

Oval dish of orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, zucchini slices, and herbs, surrounded by cucumber slices, on a wooden table. Green beans are nearby. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer Orzo Salad takes 25 minutes and mixes orzo pasta with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s light, herby, and fresh without trying too hard. The texture is soft with just the right crunch from the vegetables. It tastes like something that disappears before anyone even notices.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad is ready in 10 minutes using ripe tomatoes, burrata cheese, basil, and olive oil. It’s creamy, juicy, and easy to serve next to anything. The balance of soft cheese and bright tomatoes hits fast. It tastes like the dish everyone keeps reaching for.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Plate with sliced avocado, halved boiled eggs, and a salad of shredded greens, cranberries, and diced nuts. — Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad takes 15 minutes and features raw Brussels sprouts, onions, and a mustard-based dressing. The flavor is sharp, tangy, and slightly nutty. The texture stays crunchy without being dry. It tastes like a smart way to turn a side into the main attraction.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

A white dish filled with kale leaves topped with slices of cheese. A glass of water, a fork, and a napkin are in the background on a dark wooden table. — Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan takes 15 minutes and uses kale, olive oil, lemon, and shaved Parmesan. It’s chewy, salty, and bright with every bite. The dressing softens the greens without turning them soggy. It tastes like something people ask about before they even sit down.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Zucchini Noodle Salad

A plate of zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes and diced yellow bell peppers, served in front of a glass bowl with more salad. A folded napkin and forks are in the background. — Zucchini Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Zucchini Noodle Salad comes together in 20 minutes with spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It’s crisp, cool, and tossed in a light vinaigrette. The noodles give it texture without feeling heavy. It tastes like summer got put in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad

A white bowl filled with couscous salad, containing diced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and garnished with herbs. A spoon is placed in the bowl. — Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Veggie Couscous Salad takes 30 minutes and includes couscous, bell peppers, cucumbers, and lemon juice. It’s light, tangy, and full of texture. The couscous holds up well to the dressing without getting soggy. It tastes like it was made to be eaten outside.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Hot and Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad takes 20 minutes and includes cabbage, vinegar, chili, and sesame oil. It’s spicy, tangy, and packed with crunch. The flavor hits fast and sticks around. It tastes like something that’d clear your plate before the main course shows up.
Get the Recipe: Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous is ready in 30 minutes with asparagus, couscous, orange juice, and lemon zest. It’s bright, zesty, and full of spring flavor. The mix of textures keeps every bite interesting. It tastes like something that belongs next to brunch cocktails.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Greek Quinoa Salad

A bowl of quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and leafy greens, topped with a piece of flatbread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek Quinoa Salad takes 25 minutes and uses quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta. It’s salty, crunchy, and lightly dressed for balance. The flavor hits every part of the plate without feeling overdone. It tastes like a go-to that never gets old.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Red Skin Potato Salad

Red potato salad in bowl with bacon and parsley garnish. — Red Skin Potato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Red Skin Potato Salad takes 35 minutes and features red potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, and celery. It’s creamy, tangy, and just crunchy enough. The skins add color and texture without stealing focus. It tastes like the kind of dish someone always asks to take home.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

Faux Potato Salad

A white bowl of potato salad with mayonnaise. — Faux Potato Salad. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Faux Potato Salad is done in 30 minutes and swaps cauliflower for potatoes with mayo, mustard, and pickles. It’s creamy, tangy, and still has that classic flavor. The cauliflower holds up well and keeps the texture firm. It tastes like a smart swap no one’s mad about.
Get the Recipe: Faux Potato Salad

TikTok Green Goddess Salad

TikTok Green Goddess Salad takes 20 minutes and mixes cabbage, cucumbers, green onions, and a creamy herbed dressing. It’s crunchy, zippy, and bold with every bite. The dressing brings in garlic and lemon without being too heavy. It tastes like something made to be shared.
Get the Recipe: TikTok Green Goddess Salad

Broccoli Slaw Salad

A plate of broccoli slaw with a dressing on it. — Broccoli Slaw Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Broccoli Slaw Salad takes 15 minutes and uses shredded broccoli stems, carrots, and a creamy dressing. It’s crisp, slightly sweet, and goes with anything. The crunch sticks around even after sitting out. It tastes like the thing that surprises everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Slaw Salad

Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

A salad with strawberries, blueberries and feta cheese. — Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing takes 15 minutes and uses mixed berries, greens, and a blueberry vinaigrette. It’s sweet, tangy, and light with just enough bite from the greens. The dressing ties it all together without going overboard. It tastes like brunch just got a little fancier.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing

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 is ready in 20 minutes with blanched green beans, tomatoes, and a vinegar-based dressing. It’s snappy, juicy, and a little tart. The flavor is clean and doesn’t need anything else. It tastes like something made ahead that still feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Fennel And Mango Slaw

Overhead of fennel mango slaw in bowl. — Fennel and Mango Slaw. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fennel and Mango Slaw takes 20 minutes and combines shaved fennel, mango, and lime juice. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and bright without being too bold. The fennel keeps it grounded while the mango lifts the flavor. It tastes like a side that could pass for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw

Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A bowl of kale salad on a wooden table. — Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing takes 15 minutes and includes kale, sliced apples, and a tangy-sweet dressing. It’s crunchy, creamy, and balanced with just the right amount of bite. The apples cut through the greens and make it feel light. It tastes like something you’d refill your plate for.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Fried Halloumi Salad

Fried Halloumi Salad takes 25 minutes and features crispy halloumi, greens, tomatoes, and lemon dressing. It’s salty, savory, and satisfying without needing much else. The cheese adds heft while the salad keeps things fresh. It tastes like brunch with a little edge.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad takes 35 minutes with pearl couscous, dried fruit, nuts, and warm spices. It’s chewy, sweet, and slightly savory with a hint of cinnamon. The flavor keeps shifting with every bite. It tastes like something you’d find at the center of the table.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

A plate of diced cucumbers and beets topped with a creamy pink sauce and fresh dill—one of those classic sides that brings back kitchen memories, served with a spoon on the side. — Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad is done in 20 minutes and features beets, cucumbers, vinegar, and fresh dill. It’s sharp, crunchy, and a little earthy. The vinegar keeps it bright while the beets add depth. It tastes like something that came straight from the garden.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta takes 20 minutes using white beans, feta, cherry tomatoes, and olive oil. It’s creamy, tangy, and holds up well even after sitting. The beans make it filling without feeling too heavy. It tastes like brunch didn’t need to try so hard.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta