10+ Side Salad Recipes to Brighten Up Your Meals

Side salads add color and nutrition to your meals. These simple recipes can complement any main dish and are easy to prepare.

Whether you want a light option or something to enhance your entrée, side salads offer endless possibilities.

You don’t need much time or complicated ingredients to create a delicious side salad. Mix different greens, vegetables, and dressings to suit your taste.

With just a few fresh ingredients, you can make a satisfying salad that enhances your dining experience.

1) Classic Romaine and Cucumber Salad with Red Onion

This classic salad is fresh and simple. It combines crunchy romaine lettuce, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion.

Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Slice the cucumber thinly and cut the red onion into rings.

Mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a quick dressing. Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.

Ingredients

• 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
2. Slice the cucumber and red onion.
3. In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing just before serving.

2) Spring Greens Mix with Grape Tomatoes and Green Olives

This refreshing salad combines spring greens with grape tomatoes and green olives. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for any meal.

Wash the spring greens thoroughly. Use a mix of baby spinach, arugula, and other greens for flavor.

Slice the grape tomatoes in half and add them to the greens. Add sliced green olives for a savory touch.

Drizzle olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar over the top. Toss everything gently.

Ingredients

• 4 cups spring greens mix
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup green olives, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and dry the spring greens.
2. Halve the grape tomatoes.
3. Slice the green olives.
4. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
6. Toss gently to combine and serve.

3) Everyday Mixed Greens with Carrots and Red Wine Vinaigrette

This salad is fresh and colorful. Mixed greens and crunchy carrots pair well with a homemade red wine vinaigrette.

Wash and dry your mixed greens. Peel and slice fresh carrots into thin rounds.

Combine the greens and carrots in a large bowl. Mix red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake well.

Drizzle the dressing over your salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine.

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and dry the mixed greens.
2. Peel and slice the carrots.
3. In a bowl, combine mixed greens and carrots.
4. In a jar, mix red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
5. Shake well to combine.
6. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently.

4) Simple Side Salad with Shredded Carrots and Roma Tomatoes

This simple side salad is fresh and colorful. Enjoy the crunch of shredded carrots and the juicy sweetness of Roma tomatoes.

Wash and chop your vegetables. Use about 5 ounces of chopped lettuce as the base.

Add 1-2 Roma tomatoes, diced. Include half a cup of shredded carrots for crunch.

Add a little red onion for extra flavor if you like. Drizzle your favorite dressing over the salad and toss gently.

Ingredients

• 5 oz chopped lettuce
• 1-2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
• Dressing of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
2. Chop the lettuce and Roma tomatoes.
3. Shred the carrots.
4. Slice the red onion if using.
5. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
6. Drizzle with dressing and toss to mix.

5) Fresh Spinach Salad with Black Olives and Red Onion

This fresh spinach salad is simple and delicious. Use fresh spinach leaves as the base.

Add black olives for a briny flavor and sliced red onion for crunch. Add feta cheese for creaminess if you like.

Mix olive oil and vinegar for a light vinaigrette. Toss everything in a large bowl so the dressing coats every ingredient.

Ingredients

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Black olives, sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Feta cheese (optional)
• Olive oil
• Vinegar (your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and dry the spinach leaves.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, black olives, and red onion.
3. If using, sprinkle feta cheese on top.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and vinegar.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently.

6) Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

This wild rice salad is tasty and colorful. It features wild rice, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans.

Add apples and a homemade orange vinaigrette for extra freshness. This salad works well on warm or cool days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice mix
• 2 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the wild rice mix under cold water.
2. In a pot, combine wild rice, water, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.
4. Drain any extra water and let the rice cool.
5. In a large bowl, combine rice with cranberries, pecans, and apple.
6. In a small bowl, whisk orange juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
7. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
8. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

7) Roasted Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad

This Roasted Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad is a delicious choice for a side. Roasted sweet potatoes pair perfectly with the peppery taste of arugula.

Add walnuts for crunch and feta cheese for creaminess. Drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette.

Serve this salad warm or cold. It works well as a side dish or a light main course.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vinaigrette of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine arugula, walnuts, and feta.
5. Let the roasted sweet potatoes cool slightly and add them to the salad.
6. Drizzle with vinaigrette, toss gently, and serve.

8) Black Bean and Corn Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

This Black Bean and Corn Salad is fresh and colorful. The zesty cilantro lime dressing brightens up any meal.

Enjoy this salad on its own or pair it with grilled meats. It also keeps well in the fridge for a few days.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, red bell pepper, avocado, and cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

9) White Bean and Tuna Salad with Olive Oil and Lemon

This White Bean and Tuna Salad is simple and full of flavor. Creamy white beans and tender tuna come together with lemon and olive oil.

Mix canned tuna and drained white beans in a bowl. Add chopped red onion and fresh parsley for crunch and freshness.

Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients

• 2 (5- to 6-ounce) cans tuna packed in olive oil
• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini or Great Northern white beans
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• Fresh parsley
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain tuna and beans.
2. In a large bowl, combine tuna, beans, red onion, and parsley.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Mix gently and serve.

10) Leaf Lettuce Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, and Green Onion

This Leaf Lettuce Salad is fresh and crisp. You can prepare it quickly and easily.

Blend leaf lettuce with diced cucumbers and juicy tomatoes. Add green onions for extra crunch and flavor.

Drizzle with olive oil and your favorite vinegar. This salad makes a healthy and refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

• Leaf lettuce
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Green onions
• Olive oil
• Vinegar (your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop the leaf lettuce.

2. Dice the cucumbers.

3. Dice the tomatoes.

4. Slice the green onions.

5. Put all the vegetables in a bowl.

6. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar over the vegetables.

7. Add salt and pepper. Enjoy!