10 Side Dish Salad Recipes That Will Steal the Spotlight

Caramelized Squash Salad with Pistachios and Goat Cheese

Zesty orange juice and freshly grated ginger bring bold citrus flavor to this far-from-boring salad recipe. Toasted pistachios and tender butternut squash add layers of texture to every bite. We like goat cheese for the tangy finish but if you're not a fan leave it out or substitute feta cheese for a milder take.

Iceberg Wedge Salad with Bacon, Carrots, and Radishes

You can't go wrong with this side salad. Crispy bacon adds a salty crunch to lettuce wedges, carrots, and radishes. Top with a garlicky oil-and-vinegar dressing for an unforgettable side-dish salad recipe that'll steal the show.

Fresh Corn Salad

Sweet corn, refreshing cucumber, and cherry tomatoes temper the heat of spicy jalepeños in this colorful side-dish salad. At just 77 calories per serving, it makes a healthy and tasty addition to any meal.

Celery and Apple Salad with Walnuts

Take plain celery from boring to celebratory with this delicious side-dish salad recipe. Keep the leaves on the celery for extra eye appeal and earthy flavor. Along with the fresh apples and walnuts, the crunch factor here is hard to beat.

Stacked Vegetable Salad

Try a sophisticated twist to your usual side salad by elegantly stacking your veggies instead. A simple vegetable peeler or mandoline works wonderfully when slicing the ingredients into thin ribbons for stacking.

Buy It: OXO Handheld Mandoline ($18, Target)

Classic Chopped Salad

Why do chopped salads taste so good? By using bite-size pieces of your favorite ingredients, you get a little bit of everything in each forkful for maximum flavor. Our classic healthy green side is chock-full of veggies and an unbeatable homemade dressing made with créme fraiche.

Grilled Romaine Panzanella

Grilling out this weekend? Might as well give your side salad a bit of char, too. Our grilled veggie side is a creative take on the Tuscan chopped bread salad that features tomatoes and ciabatta that also get some flame time. After adding chopped bacon and a hearty vinaigrette made with some of the reserved drippings, this salad borders main-dish territory.

Triple-Melon Salad

This side-dish salad recipe is basically summer on a plate. Choose whatever melon varieties are in season to create a super refreshing salad. Red onion, crumbled feta, and arugula make the perfect contrasting flavors to the sweet melon.

Wilted Spinach Salad with Cranberries and Pears

Side salads don't always have to be cold. A red wine vinegar dressing provides great flavor to this wilted spinach salad. Sliced pears and dried cranberries add the perfect sweet-tart bite. Add gorgonzola cheese for a rich, creamy tang that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Balsamic-Dried Cherry Salad Toss

This 25-minute side salad yields 10 servings, making it an excellent addition to a potluck spread. Tart cherries pair beautifully with the above-average homemade balsamic dressing featuring honey (use agave to keep it vegan-friendly), Dijon-style mustard, and a bit of soy sauce.