If you are in a salad rut or looking for the VERY best salads, I am here to help because I love a GOOD salad. I don’t do boring salads. Salads should be loaded with lots of different flavors, textures, colors, and toppings!

Today, I am sharing 10 simple tips for taking your salad to the next level! Plus, I am sharing a 40 of my all-time favorite salad recipes! Make sure you save this post so you can make an amazing salad all of the time!

How to Make the Best Salad

Here are my tips for making the very best salads!

• Go Green– most salads start with a bed of greens. Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Use kale, spinach, romaine, arugula, butter leaf lettuce, shaved Brussels sprouts, or a mix of greens!
• Pick a Protein– Get a protein boost by adding chicken, fish, shrimp, or steak. For a vegetarian salad, add beans, hard boiled eggs, lentils, or tofu. My personal favorite? Roasted chickpeas! So good!
• Add Grains– Bulk up your salad by adding your favorite grains. Pasta, quinoa, farro, orzo, and wild rice are all good options.
• Crunch-Crunch– Top your salads with homemade croutons, nuts (raw, toasted, or candied), pita chips, or tortilla chips. Candied pecans or candied walnuts are always a winner! Cucumbers, bell peppers, cauliflower, and other fresh veggies also add a nice crunch.
• Feeling Fruity– Sweeten up your salad with fresh or dried fruit. Add in apple, pear, or peach slices. Berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries) are always a good idea. And don’t forget about watermelon, it’s so refreshing. For dried fruit, I love dried cranberries, cherries, or golden raisins.
• Roasted, Grilled, or Pickled Veggies– I love adding roasted vegetables or grilled vegetables to my salads. Clean out your veggie drawer, roast or grill, and top your salads. So easy! Pickled veggies also add a nice punch of flavor!
• So Fresh– Fresh herbs add SO much flavor! Mix in fresh basil, mint, chives, rosemary, or dill.
• Oh-So-Creamy– Adding in a creamy element is always so nice. Try avocado slices, crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese, a dollop of hummus or guacamole, tzatziki, or a scoop of cottage cheese.
• All Dressed Up– A good salad dressing is key! I love making my own homemade dressings, they are easy to whisk up and are so much better than store bought. A few of my go-to’s include: basil vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, Italian dressing, and creamy cilantro lime dressing. Drizzle away!
• Don’t Forget About Salsa– Fresh salsas add SO much flavor. Sometimes, I use salsa as a dressing! Try these: easy blender salsa, pico de gallo, mango salsa, or pineapple salsa!

Don’t be afraid to play around with your salads! Make sure you mix things up regularly!

Best Salad Recipes

Here are a few of our all-time favorite recipes if you need some inspiration. These salads are always a hit at parties, potlucks, picnics, and BBQ’s. They are also perfect for an easy lunch or dinner at home.

You can’t go wrong with any of these salad recipes. You will want to make them over and over again!

Green & Vegetable Salads

• Easy Green Salad
• Perfect Spring Salad
• Summer Arugula Salad
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
• Kale & Wild Rice Salad
• Chopped Greek Salad
• Green Bean Salad
• Fresh Corn Salad
• Easy Cucumber Salad
• Tomato Salad
• Sesame Ginger Carrot Salad

Pasta & Grain Salads

• ​Easy Quinoa Salad​​​
• ​Easy Orzo Salad​
• ​Summer Quinoa Salad
• Asian Quinoa Salad
• Caprese Pasta Salad​
• Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad
• Easy Pasta Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Summer Farro Salad
• Greek Tortellini Salad
• Italian Tortellini Salad
• Tortellini Caesar Salad

Bean Salads

• Black Bean Salad
• Chickpea Avocado Feta Salad
• Fall Chickpea Salad
• Lentil Salad
• Roasted Chickpea Taco Salad

Fruity Salads

• Favorite Fruit Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Citrus Salad
• Avocado Strawberry Caprese Salad
• Apple Pecan Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
• Berry Caprese Salad

Hearty Dinner Salads

• Steak Salad
• Cobb Salad
• BLT Salad
• Taco Salad
• Grilled Chicken Blueberry Feta Salad

Want More? Find ALL of our SALAD RECIPES HERE! There are too many good ones to list!