23 Salad Recipes That Go Beyond Lettuce

A good salad can be made of anything—no lettuce required. Below are different side salads that go beyond traditional salad leafy greens like iceberg or romaine, and some recipes you might like to try! Any of these would work alongside a main course like roast chicken, pork chops, or seared fish.

Cold Rice Noodle Salad

Contributor Georgia Freedman says, "Each component (the vegetables, the noodles, and the dressing) of this salad can be prepared a couple hours or even a full day ahead, but it is best to combine and dress it just before serving."

5-Ingredient Tomato Salad

Contributor Alison Spiegel says, "Stick to larger tomatoes, such as beefsteak or heirloom, over grape or cherry tomatoes, which don’t hold the dressing as well."

Cucumber Mint Quinoa Salad

This quick easy quinoa salad with cucumbers and mint is perfect for a summer picnic salad!

Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

With a touch of lemon zest and the zip of scallions, this is a perfect accompaniment to many fall and winter dishes: roast chicken, stews, or pork chops.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

If you've never had sweet potato salad before, you're in for a treat. Crumbly, salty feta helps bring out the savory side of tender roasted sweet potatoes. Serve it with roast chicken at dinner and then enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day.

Creamy Everything Bagel Cucumber Salad

Contributor Sara Tane says, "I’d recommend using Persian cucumbers for this salad because they’re more flavorful, less watery, and have thinner, smoother skin in comparison to English cucumbers. You can opt to use one large cucumber or several smaller ones."

Roasted Broccoli Salad with Feta, Barley, and Pomegranate

Roasted broccoli is base for this hearty winter salad. Toss with barley, spinach, feta, almonds, and pomegranate seeds. 30-minute cooking time.

Roasted Radish and Feta Salad

Have you ever roasted radishes? Their flavor transforms in the heat of the oven, turning juicy and sweet. Toss them with a vinaigrette and some feta for a light meal or side salad.

Southwestern Three Bean Salad

A three bean salad with a Southwestern twist! You'll love the combo of pinto beans, black beans, and green beans, with onions, jalapenos, Cotija cheese, and cilantro with a sweet lime dressing.

Black Bean Salad

A fresh black bean salad, perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. Red bell peppers, jalapeños, avocado, black beans, and corn combined to give this salad its kick and fresh flavors.

White Bean and Tuna Salad

A classic combination that's so easy to make with pantry staples.

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Grapefruit and avocado make the perfect pair in this cheerful, healthy salad! It's dressed with a light citrus vinaigrette.

Orange and Beet Salad

Brighten your day with this colorful beet salad with sliced beets, navel oranges, red onions, and arugula in a light vinaigrette.

Kale Caesar Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing

Make this e kale and romaine Caesar salad with a creamy Parmesan dressing (and no egg!) Great for a potluck.

Radicchio Salad with Green Olives, Chickpeas, and Parmesan

A beautiful radicchio salad with green olives, chickpeas, and Parmesan. Quick and easy to toss together and great with chicken or fish.

Roasted Root Vegetable Panzanella

Panzanella gets the cool weather treatment with vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets, along with hearty kale. Slightly sweet maple brown butter dressing and tangy goat cheese balance out the savory veggies and bread.

Cold Pea Salad

For a unique spin on peas as a side, try this salad with frozen peas, smoked almonds, water chestnuts, and a hint of curry. Great as a summer side, its smokiness would pair nicely with bbq chicken.

Greek Pasta Salad

Everything you love about a Greek salad on top of lettuce mixed with pasta and a lemony dressing instead. A perfect potluck dish.

Festive Beet Citrus Salad with Kale and Pistachios

Beets, kale, and blood oranges combined together bring some brightness to a winter dinner. Sprinkled with pistachios and drizzled with citrusy, briny dressing, it's a winner.

Classic Carrot Salad

Carrots, raisins, apples, and mayo. That's all it takes to make this simple salad. If you've never tried it, trust us, it works. Really well.

Pasta and Bean Picnic Salad

White beans, tomato, celery, and onions join shell pasta in this summer salad finished with a light vinaigrette.

Endive Salad with Walnuts, Pears, and Gorgonzola

Endive is a crisp, bitter delight that's tempered with walnuts, chopped pear, and creamy blue cheese.

Watercress Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Here's a simple watercress salad with fresh peppery watercress and a hot bacon apple cider dressing.