30 Best Salads That Are Not Boring

We have put together a collection of salads that are anything but boring. These vibrant and flavorful dishes are easy to assemble and perfect for shaking up your meal routine.

Packed with fresh ingredients and exciting combinations, each salad offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a hearty side, these salads are designed to impress and satisfy. Let’s bring some excitement to your table with these fresh and tasty creations!

Big Mac Salad

Big Mac Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy all the classic Big Mac flavors without the guilt in our easy, homemade salad version. Perfect for a lighter, tasty meal.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Ground Beef Taco Salad

Taco Salad recipes by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

A healthy Taco Salad made of seasoned ground beef, cheese, veggies, and tortilla chips drizzled with a Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.

Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Taco Salad

Vintage Pea Salad

Pea Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This classic, creamy pea salad is both a perfect side dish during the week or a perfect party buffet table.

Get the Recipe: Vintage Pea Salad

Warm German Potato Salad in a Bacon Vinaigrette

Warm German Potato Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.com
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This authentic German Potato Salad is served warm. Tender potatoes are drenched in a mouthwatering warm bacon dressing.

Get the Recipe: Warm German Potato Salad

Oma’s “Viral” German Cucumber Salad

Oma's German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This cucumber salad is what my German Oma used to make. It’s a refreshing German classic with just four simple ingredients. I told my 96-year-old Oma that her recipe keeps going viral. Her reaction: “Wie bitte? Was ist das?” – Engish: Excuse me, what does that mean?

Get the Recipe: Oma’s German Cucumber Salad

The Best Egg Salad

Egg Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This high protein, creamy egg salad combines perfectly hard-boiled eggs with crunchy bits of celery and onion in a zesty dressing,

Get the Recipe: The Best Egg Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This easy, creamy pasta salad combines two delicious flavors: crispy bacon and creamy ranch. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our classic creamy Amish Macaroni Salad is great for picnics and potlucks. Sweet and tangy with lots of protein.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad

The Ultimate Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Greek Pasta Salad recipe is a must-try! Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s loaded with colorful veggies and a delicious herb dressing.

Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Greek Pasta Salad

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad will get you excited to eat your vegetables! Add bacon and Cheddar cheese, and you have a filling salad.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy a crowd-pleasing Seafood Pasta Salad with crab, shrimp, veggies, pasta, and a tangy dressing – perfect for your next gathering.

Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Waldorf Salad With Candied Walnuts

Classic Waldorf Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Waldorf Salad is a classic! Crisp apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy celery served in a creamy dressing and topped with candied walnuts.

Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad With Candied Walnuts

The Best Creamy Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Shrimp Salad is delightfully light and refreshing. It’s made with perfectly cooked shrimp, onion, celery, cucumber, dill, and mayonnaise.

Get the Recipe: The Best Creamy Shrimp Salad

Easy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad (With Egg)

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Dill Pickle Pasta salad is made with tender pasta, dill pickles, sweet apples, and onions that are tossed in a creamy dill dressing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Easy Watermelon Salad With Feta Cheese And Mint

Watermelon and Feta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Watermelon Salad is an easy and refreshing summer salad! Made with juicy watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, salty feta, and a splash of lemon.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salad With Feta Cheese And Mint

Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Chicken Salad recipe will be your go-to side dish for something light yet deliciously creamy that can be made quickly.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad

German Potato Salad

Classic Cold German Potato Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This traditional cold German Potato Salad is delicious. Made with just 5 ingredients, it’s perfect for lunch, barbecues, or potlucks.

Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad

Creamy Broccoli Slaw With Apples And Almonds

Broccoli Slaw recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This easy Broccoli slaw is made with crispy broccoli, apples, and almonds and tossed in a deliciously creamy dressing. Perfect for summer.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Slaw With Apples And Almonds

Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This is the best Tuna Salad Recipe. My entire family is obsessed, and it takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Italian Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser. Juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, creamy mozzarella, olives, and salami in a creamy dressing.

Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Broccoli Pasta Salad

Broccoli Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad is bursting with sweet and savory flavors. And you’ll find all of the ingredients in your fridge and pantry.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Pesto Pasta salad is a great, easy-to-make summer pasta salad. This crowd-pleaser is perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Chopped German Tomato Salad

Tomato Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This refreshing German tomato salad is made with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions and tossed in a sweet, tangy dressing.

Get the Recipe: Chopped German Tomato Salad

Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Looking for a simple salad sandwich recipe? This Tuna Salad Sandwich is sweet and savory and full of protein. It’s a great lunch option.

Get the Recipe: Tuna Salad

Watermelon And Orange Salad

Watermelon and Orange Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This is the best Watermelon Salad. Combine juicy watermelon, oranges, crispy red onions, and mint for a refreshing summer salad.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon And Orange Salad

Burrata Caprese Salad

Burrata Caprese Salad recipe by Lauren From Scratch.
Photo Credit: Lauren From Scratch.

This burrata caprese salad has all the delicious flavors of a traditional caprese salad with a twist. Fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil with creamy burrata cheese, topped with sweet balsamic glaze and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Get the Recipe: Burrata Caprese Salad

KFC Macaroni Salad

 A bowl of macaroni salad that tastes like KFC’s.
Photo Credit: You Say Potatoes.

This copycat macaroni salad tastes exactly like the side from Kentucky Fried Chicken! It is easy, creamy, and so delicious that you want to make it and take it to a potluck or BBQ!

Get The Recipe: KFC Macaroni Salad

Truffle Egg Salad

A bowl of scrambled eggs with dill.
Photo Credit: Burrata and Bubbles.

Dressed with homemade truffle mayo and seasoned with a touch of fresh herbs and garlic, this gourmet take on egg salad is always a favorite.

Get the Recipe: Truffle Egg Salad

Chipotle Coleslaw Recipe

Coleslaw in a white bowl on a wooden table.
Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

Looking for a flavor-packed side dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious? Look no further than this creamy chipotle coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Coleslaw Recipe

Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.

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