16 Side Salad Recipes to Complete Any Meal
From Korean cucumber banchan to a classic Caesar, these side salad recipes might just end up stealing the show.
Serving a salad next to a main—especially one that's protein-rich—is a great way to balance a heavier meal with something that's light and refreshing. But just because you're serving a salad on the side doesn't mean it needs to be bland and boring. Side salads can offer flavors and textures that complement a meal—and can sometimes even steal the show. From Korean cucumber banchan to a classic Caesar, and even some options with grains, these are our favorite side salad recipes to complete your meal.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
This recipe yields a crunchy, creamy, refreshing cucumber salad thanks to tahini, lemon, and fresh dill.
List Link:Creamy Cucumber Salad
The Fully Loaded Iceberg Wedge Salad
This classic salad is a celebration of rich, cooling flavors and a diversity of textures.
List Link:The Fully Loaded Iceberg Wedge Salad
Horiatiki (Greek Salad)
For the best Greek side salad, pit the olives, soak the onions in red wine vinegar, and top with slabs of feta.
List Link:Horiatiki (Greek Salad)
Oi Muchim (Korean Marinated Cucumber Banchan)
These marinated Korean cucumbers are tart, spicy, and just a touch sweet. You may not want dill pickles again.
List Link:Korean Marinated Cucumber Banchan (Oi Muchim)
The Best Caesar Salad
This crowd-pleasing salad consists of crisp romaine leaves, crunchy croutons, and a little or a lot of anchovy, as you like.
List Link:The Best Caesar Salad
Kale Caesar Salad
Marinating tough kale leaves in oil transforms them into tender salad greens in this riff on the classic Caesar.
List Link:Kale Caesar Salad
Trevisano Radicchio Salad
This bright and citrusy salad balances bitter with sweet, while adding freshness, acid, a little heat, and some texture.
List Link:Trevisano Radicchio Salad
Tiger Salad (Lao Hu Cai), à la Xi'an Famous Foods
Savory, refreshing, and tart, this dish is inspired by the lao hu cai, or "tiger vegetable salad," served at Xi'an Famous Foods.
List Link:Tiger Salad (Lao Hu Cai), à la Xi'an Famous Foods
Warm Kale and Caramelized Mushroom Salad
This salad features deeply golden brown sautéed mushrooms paired with hearty kale and a tangy sherry vinegar dressing.
List Link:Warm Kale and Caramelized Mushroom Salad
Charred Brussels Sprouts and Leek Muchim With Coffee-Dijon Dressing
Marinated charred Brussels sprouts and raw leeks combine with a coffee-Dijon dressing for the ultimate Korean banchan-inspired salad.
List Link:Charred Brussels Sprouts and Leek Muchim With Coffee-Dijon Dressing
Roman-Inspired Mixed-Green Salad (Misticanza alla Romana)
For a truly great mixed greens salad, make your own mix with the freshest stuff you can find: whole heads of lettuce, radicchio, herbs, dandelion greens, and more.
List Link:Roman-Inspired Mixed-Green Salad (Misticanza alla Romana)
Snap Pea Salad With Mint and Tahini-Harissa Dressing
Sweet snap peas and mint is a classic combination that lends itself well to variation, like in this light, cooling, and slightly spicy salad.
List Link:Snap Pea Salad With Mint and Tahini-Harissa Dressing
Red Cabbage Salad With Roasted Cipollini Onions
This salad combines gorgeously sweet, meltingly tender roasted cipollini onions with red cabbage, bitter chicory, walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
List Link:Red Cabbage Salad With Roasted Cipollini Onions
Carrot Salad With Yogurt, Ghee, and Barberry Dressing
This simple salad dresses up shaved and pickled carrot with perky barberries and warm spiced ghee.
List Link:Carrot Salad With Yogurt, Ghee, and Barberry Dressing
Radicchio, Endive, and Anchovy Salad
Bitter greens like radicchio, Belgian endive, and parsley take on a surprising sweetness when paired with fennel and celery dressed in an aggressively savory anchovy vinaigrette.
List Link:Radicchio, Endive, and Anchovy Salad
Wild Rice Salad With Mushrooms, Celery Root, and Pine Nuts
This easy wild rice salad (or dressing, or stuffing) is deeply savory and earthy, thanks to sautéed mushrooms, celery root, and toasted pine nuts.
List Link:Wild Rice Salad With Mushrooms, Celery Root, and Pine Nuts