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Home » Trending

Salads That Are Way More Exciting Than Lettuce

Published: Jun 29, 2025 by Yuan

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These salads break the boring bowl stereotype with bold textures, colors, and flavors. Packed with grains, fruit, roasted veggies, and punchy dressings, they’re satisfying enough for a main. They’re anything but basic. Lettuce may show up—but it’s not the star.

Creamy Bacon Cauliflower Salad

Creamy cauliflower salad with crispy bacon, red onions, and cheddar cheese.
Creamy Bacon Cauliflower Salad. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

You can make this amazing creamy bacon cauliflower salad with cooked OR raw cauliflower, the choice is up to you! A great low carb dish!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cauliflower Salad

Classic Wedge Salad

Crisp iceberg lettuce wedge topped with blue cheese dressing, bacon, and tomatoes.
Classic Wedge Salad. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

The classic wedge salad topped with tomatoes, bacon, croutons, blue cheese and homemade blue cheese dressing.
Get the Recipe: Classic Wedge Salad

Smoked Chicken Taco Salad

Taco salad with smoked chicken, avocado, cheese, and crispy tortilla strips.
Smoked Chicken Taco Salad. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This salad combines the flavors of taco seasoning with the smokiness of chicken cooked on a smoker. It's a healthy and flavorful option for a quick lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Taco Salad

Broccoli Salad

Fresh broccoli salad with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and creamy dressing.
Broccoli Salad. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This broccoli salad recipe is a refreshing and nutritious addition to any meal, combining the crispness of fresh broccoli with a variety of complementary flavors. It's great for health-conscious diners looking for a flavorful side.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad

Colorful pasta salad with peas, carrots, and creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Creamy Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

This creamy pasta salad is the best ever, and you can easily customize it with your family’s favorite ingredients. It’s perfect for summer barbecues or as a side dish year-round!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pasta Salad

Corn Fiesta Salad

Bright corn salad with red peppers, onions, and cilantro in a tangy dressing.
Corn Fiesta Salad. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Corn Fiesta Salad is the perfect dish for summer BBQs and picnics with family and friends. Take advantage of fresh corn from local farmer's markets and make this flavorful recipe for your loved ones.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fiesta Salad

Sundried Tomato Feta Orzo Salad

Orzo pasta salad tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
Sundried Tomato Feta Orzo Salad. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

A Mediterranean-inspired salad, combining orzo pasta with the flavors of sundried tomatoes and feta cheese. It's a fresh and flavorful option for a side dish or a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Sundried Tomato Feta Orzo Salad

Orange Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, and ginger dressing.
Orange Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

A flavorful and zesty pasta salad with chicken, infused with orange and ginger. It's a great option for a light lunch or as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad

Pad Thai Salad

Thai-inspired salad with rice noodles, veggies, peanuts, and lime dressing.
Pad Thai Salad. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This Pad Thai salad is a vegetarian inspired take on the famous pad Thai dish. Great for meal prepping and can easily be made vegan when you leave off the scrambled egg.
Get the Recipe: Pad Thai Salad

Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

Tuna salad with apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts in a light yogurt dressing.
Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This tuna Waldorf salad is a healthy spin on the classic Waldorf salad. It makes for a quick and easy lunch that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

Sweet Potato Kale Salad

Roasted sweet potato and kale salad with cranberries and a maple dressing.
Sweet Potato Kale Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Try this tasty sweet potato kale salad recipe for a delicious and healthy meal. The vegetables are combined with a really tasty dressing.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Kale Salad

Chinese Cucumber Salad

Refreshing cucumber salad tossed with a light and tangy dressing.
Chinese Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Chinese cucumber salad is a delicious, refreshing salad that's great as a side or an appetizer. This recipe is easy to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Cucumber Salad

Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy

A colorful plate of fresh vietnamese salad featuring vibrant carrots, juicy tomatoes, and green papaya.
Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This refreshing dish is a plant-based twist on the classic Vietnamese papaya salad, made with crisp green papaya, crunchy peanuts, fragrant herbs, and a zesty, tangy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy

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me

Hey there! Welcome to SassyChopsticks.com!

I'm Yuan, a writer, world traveler, web developer, and photographer based in the U.S. My journey has taken me across multiple countries, from Malaysia to England, before I settled in Tennessee, where I've called home for nearly two decades.

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