Nothing wakes up a plate—or your palate—like a crisp, colorful salad bursting with seasonal produce. Each recipe below pairs vibrant veggies (and fruit!) with bold dressings that come together in minutes. From weekday lunches to dinner-party sides, these eight fresh salad ideas will keep your menu light, nourishing, and never boring.
1. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Poppy-Seed Dressing
Sweet–savory perfection for spring and early summer.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
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6 cups baby spinach
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1 cup sliced strawberries
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¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)
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¼ cup toasted pecans
Dressing
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3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp honey, ½ tsp poppy seeds, pinch salt. Shake to emulsify.
Quick-Mix: Toss spinach, berries, cheese, and pecans. Drizzle dressing just before serving.
2. Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad
Protein-packed and picnic-ready.
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1 can chickpeas, rinsed
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1 English cucumber, diced
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½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
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2 Tbsp chopped red onion
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¼ cup crumbled feta
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Juice of 1 lemon, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, salt & pepper
Combine veggies and chickpeas; add lemon-oregano dressing. Chill 15 minutes for best flavor.
3. Mango Avocado Black-Bean Salad
Sweet tropical notes meet hearty legumes—great with grilled fish or tacos.
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1 ripe mango, diced
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1 avocado, diced
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1 cup cooked black beans
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¼ cup chopped cilantro
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2 Tbsp minced jalapeño (optional)
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Juice of 1 lime, 1 Tbsp olive oil, pinch cumin & salt
Gently fold ingredients; serve immediately to keep avocado vibrant.
4. Crunchy Asian Slaw with Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette
Meal-prep superstar that stays crisp for days.
Slaw
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3 cups shredded green cabbage
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1 cup shredded red cabbage
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1 carrot, julienned
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½ cup snap-pea slices
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2 green onions, thinly sliced
Vinaigrette
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2 Tbsp rice-vinegar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp minced ginger.
Toss veggies with vinaigrette; sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for crunch.
5. Caprese Quinoa Salad
Classic tomato-mozzarella flavors with a protein boost.
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2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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½ cup mini mozzarella balls
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¼ cup fresh basil ribbons
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2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp balsamic glaze, salt & pepper
Fold ingredients together; finish with drizzle of balsamic glaze.
6. Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad
Sweet, smoky fruit pairs beautifully with peppery greens.
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2 peaches, halved & lightly oiled
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4 cups baby arugula
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¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
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¼ cup candied or toasted walnuts
Honey-Mustard Dressing
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2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp apple-cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon, 1 tsp honey, salt.
Grill peaches 2 min per side; slice. Layer on arugula, add cheese & nuts, toss with dressing.
7. Roasted Beet & Orange Salad
Earthy, citrusy, and visually stunning.
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3 small roasted beets, sliced
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2 oranges, segmented
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4 cups mixed greens
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¼ cup goat cheese crumbles
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2 Tbsp chopped pistachios
Orange-Maple Dressing
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2 Tbsp orange juice, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 Tbsp olive oil, splash vinegar, pinch salt.
Assemble greens, beets, oranges; drizzle dressing, top with cheese & pistachios.
8. Warm Lentil & Kale Salad with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle
Hearty enough for dinner on cooler summer nights.
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2 cups cooked green lentils (warm)
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3 cups shredded kale, massaged with 1 tsp olive oil
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½ cup roasted sweet-potato cubes
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2 Tbsp chopped parsley
Drizzle
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2 Tbsp tahini, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, warm water to thin, salt.
Place kale on plates, spoon warm lentils & sweet-potato over top, finish with tahini drizzle.
Salad-Making Tips for Peak Freshness
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Dry your greens well – water dilutes dressings and makes leaves limp.
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Layer textures – think crunchy nuts, creamy cheese, juicy fruit.
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Dress just before serving unless noted—prevents sogginess.
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Season the produce – a pinch of salt on tomatoes elevates flavor instantly.
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Batch-prep ingredients – wash, chop, and store veggies separately for quick weekday assembly.
Final Forkful
A rotation of vibrant salads keeps meals light, nutrient-packed, and far from repetitive. Mix and match these recipes or swap in seasonal produce to keep things interesting all year long. Here’s to crisp bites, colorful plates, and the unbeatable refreshment of fresh greens!
