There is no reason to relegate a salad to the sidelines as an afterthought or some ordinary health food. With a little effort, you can make them just as vibrant and satisfying as any other dish on the menu. That's why we've come to a decision to put together our top picks for the best salad recipes out here, and you will see an assortment to suit every taste and dietary requirement that is sure to make for a fine meal.
We've included the tried and true Caesar, the more showy Beef Salad and the rich comfort of a proper Chicken Salad. If you want a bold protein fix with some indulgence, a Shrimp or Fish Salad is hard to beat. Or perhaps you are in the mood for the crispness an Apple and Chicken variety has to offer. Either way, they work equally well as a no-fuss lunch or the centrepiece at a potluck as they do for a dinner with real nourishment and flavor. Come along and see for yourself with these exceptional recipes how a salad can very well be the star of the show.
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Chicken Salad
For proof that you don’t have to forgo satisfaction with a light meal, try some chicken salad. We have put together a version that is as good as it gets: tender pan-seared chicken with a hint of nutty sesame oil is paired with crisp romaine, cool cucumber, cherry tomatoes and some sweet corn. Then we add in the creamy egg and buttery avocado and let a silky, tangy dressing tie it all together. You get a refreshing combination of crunchy, juicy and creamy in each mouthful. And it is practical too. This high-protein recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free by nature and comes together in less than half an hour. Being budget-friendly and simple to make, it makes for a fine quick lunch or dinner, or something to bring along to a potluck or picnic where it will be well received.
Get the Chicken Salad recipe.
Beef Salad
There is a certain character to a beef salad that you won’t find in your average plate of leafy greens. The tender, juicy beef is cut thin and put front and centre, where it can take on the sourness of calamansi and tamarind. A chili heat comes on slowly to give each bite some life. It is the variety of textures that has you coming back for more. You get the softness of a tomato, a bit of crunch from the onion and spring onion, then the nuttiness of toasted coconut to put it all together. By the time you are done with it, you have a dish that is as much zingy and smoky as it is refreshing and well layered. It is also a protein-rich dish, but one that is more of an indulgence than a concession.
Get the Beef Salad recipe.
Caesar Salad
You won’t find a Caesar salad on any top ten list of salads for no reason. It has a way of being both comforting and fresh in equal measure. The foundation is a good, crisp lettuce, but you have the buttery croutons, some juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cashews and avocado to go with it. A sprinkling of salty, nutty Parmesan puts the final touch on it. To put the finishing touches on it, you have the dressing. It is a rich, if somewhat indulgent, affair but one that a good squeeze of lemon can brighten up to coat the leaves in a way that is satisfying, not heavy. It is an excellent choice for a light lunch or as a no-fuss side that will go down well at the table.
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Egg Salad
There is no need to make a fuss over this egg salad. It is as simple as it is comforting and fresh. Hard-boiled eggs provide the bowl with a good measure of creaminess and richness, but you have the cucumber for its crunch and the juiciness of tomatoes, green capsicum and spring onions to liven things up. A fine dressing of mayonnaise and chili sauce does the rest, the silky tang and a hint of kick putting everything in order. It is light yet satisfying. Whether you are looking for an easy brunch or want to put in for a long lunch, there is little to decide.
Get the Egg Salad recipe.
Fish Salad
There is no mistaking the boldness of this fish salad. The turmeric lends an earthy, nearly smoky warmth to the air-fried fish which you can flake with ease. A bit of lime adds its sharp brightness while a dash of anchovy provides the savory element to hold it together. As for the chilies, lemongrass, tomato and onions, they make every bite an interesting one. We also put a green flourish of cilantro on top for good measure. In the end, it is light and satisfying at the same time, the sort of fresh, zesty and slightly wild thing you want when you are in the mood for it.
Get the Fish Salad recipe.
Shrimp Salad
You can put this Shrimp Salad in the top tier for the way it puts together bold and clean flavors in one bowl with such ease. There is a nice contrast to be had: the tender air-fried shrimp alongside some juicy tomato wedges, crisp capsicum and onion, then you add a good squeeze of kaffir lime and just a hint of fire from a fresh red chili to liven it up. What you get is something light but thoroughly satisfying. It is naturally gluten and dairy-free and low in fat, and since it comes together in 20 minutes or so, it makes for an ideal quick lunch or dinner, or even a colorful starter to put in front of your guests.
Get the Shrimp Salad recipe.
Squid Salad
It is a vibrant affair, with tender slices of golden turmeric-spiced meat, just a hint of smoke to them, laid over a fresh medley of cucumber, sharp onion and some very juicy tomatoes. There is a certain interest to each bite of the chili as the heat comes on slowly. The flavors have a good way of contrasting with one another, being rich and satisfying in one moment and then zesty and crunchy in the next. Now and again you will have a bit of citrus or an herb come through to add some brightness to it. It certainly is a fine dish, light and refreshing but substantial enough in its own right.
Get the Squid Salad recipe.
Instant Noodle Salad
For a salad with some character of its own, you can put down the rule book and go with the Instant Noodle Salad. It has a boldness to it that you won’t find in your average side dish. You have soft, springy tomyam noodles that are happy to take on the tang of lime and a chili heat that builds on you, all while mixing in with plump shrimp, tender squid and some smoky sausage for good measure. There is plenty of savory depth to be had. And then you get to the fresh crunch from thin cucumber, carrot and a bit of sharp onion with every forkful. The cilantro puts a bright, citrusy cap on it. In 271 calories per serving, you can have this fiery Thai-Malaysian fusion put together in no time. It is as messy as it is good and easily one of the better salads we have.
Get the Instant Noodle Salad recipe.
Chicken and Apple Salad
This Chicken and Apple Salad is as soothing as it is fresh and light. You get a nice interplay with every forkful of tender, savory chicken and the crunch of a green apple, punctuated by the occasional sweet raisin. In fact, no two bites are ever quite alike. Underneath it all, you will find a faint peppery warmth, and the bright green onion at the end is enough to prevent the salad from ever becoming heavy or dense. Then there is the matter of nutrition: at 359 calories and good on protein per serving, it is just the sort of simple, well put together dish you make when you want balance without sacrificing any of the interest that has you going back for another spoonful.
Get the Chicken and Apple Salad recipe.
Sunomono (Japanese Cucumber Salad)
This side dish is nothing more than fine slices of Japanese or Persian cucumber with a rice vinegar dressing that is as tangy as it is sweet. You put some depth to it with a bit of soy sauce and finish it off with the nuttiness of sesame oil. A few sesame seeds here and there for a little crunch don’t hurt either. Put it in the fridge for a while and the cucumbers will take on all those crisp, pickled notes. At 60 calories a pop, it is vegan and dairy-free without any cooking required.
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