If there is one thing I know for certain it’s this: far too many containers of mixed greens go unused and are left sitting sad and lonely in the back of fridges everywhere. But not anymore!
With this collection of mixed green salad recipes, you’ll never throw out a sad lonely container of lettuce again. Instead, you’re going to be serving flavor-filled and texture-loaded salads alongside main dishes and even as your main!
These simple salads range from bold and vibrant flavors that are hearty enough to stand on their own as a main dish (maybe you’ll serve with a side of baguette because…of course why wouldn’t you?!). You’ll find many with a twist too, taking you outside of the usual side salad recipe.
There are also more go-with-the-flow recipes in this collection that can be mixed and matched with whatever main dish you’re serving up, from salmon to shrimp, to stuffed mushrooms, to lasagna, or flatbreads.
You’ll find a salad to meet your needs here. From vegetarian or vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free, we’ve got it. Let’s get to it!
The Best Vegetarian Green Salad Recipes
15-Minute Balsamic Bruschetta Salad
Your favorite bruschetta appetizer in salad form over a bed of crisp romaine with crunchy croutons.Ingredients: tomatoes, basil, garlic, shallot, balsamic vinegar, croutons, romaine lettuce
Get the recipe
Nectarine Burrata Basil Salad
This cheese board-inspired salad is bright and full of fresh flavors!Ingredients: white balsamic vinegar, honey, lettuce, basil, pine nuts, nectarines, burrata
Get the recipe
10-Minute Fennel and Citrus Salad
A light refreshing salad with a homemade citrus dressing.Ingredients: oranges and tangelos, fennel, arugula, honey, lemon juice
Get the recipe
Simple Dijon Salad
A simple salad that's filling enough to enjoy as a full meal. The tangy lemon mustard dressing packs a flavorful punch, too. Ingredients: yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon, honey, greens, crouton, celery, egg
Get the recipe
Blueberry Power Salad
A simple summer salad packed with nutritious blueberries, both in the vinaigrette and the salad!Ingredients: blueberries, balsamic vinegar, pistachios, blue cheese, spinach
Get the recipe
10-Minute Spinach Salad with Tangy Red Wine Vinaigrette
A classic combination with tangy red wine vinaigrette and spinach.Ingredients: dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, spinach, dates, blue cheese, pecans, shallot
Get the recipe
Healthier Caesar Salad
Crispy chickpeas take the place of croutons in this caesar salad for added crunch and protein. You'll love the homemade dressing, too!Ingredients: chickpeas, parmesan cheese, romaine lettuce, lemon
Get the recipe
Wild Rice and Arugula Salad
A salad perfect for a fall-inspired lunch or a side dish on Thanksgiving; it's bursting with texture and flavor.Ingredients: butternut squash, wild rice, arugula, cranberries, almond
Get the recipe
Thai Chopped Salad with Peanut Sauce Dressing
A crunchy, texture, and flavor-filled salad! Meal prep it for lunches or have it for a light dinner.Ingredients: soy sauce, ginger, honey, peanut butter, kale, broccoli, carrots, bell pepper, peas, cilantro
Get the recipe
Farmer’s Market Strawberry Corn Salad
Inspired by a trip to the farmer's market, this salad is loaded with fresh summer produce, cheese, and a tangy dressing.Ingredients: apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, spinach, strawberries, corn, sunflower seeds, Dubliner cheese
Get the recipe
Roasted Chickpea Greek Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing
A Greek-inspired salad with a light lemon-herb dressing, fresh veggies, and crispy, flavorful chickpeas.Ingredients: chickpeas, lemon, dried herbs and spices, romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, feta, shallot
Get the recipe
Southwest Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
The honey-lime dressing makes this salad. You'll love the combination with a variety of textures!Ingredients: romaine lettuce, black beans, red bell pepper, corn, avocado, jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, feta
Get the recipe
Bright Spring Vegetable Salad
Full of bright lemon and mint, paired with fresh spring veggies – this salad was made for brunch and is perfect alongside quiche or croissants.Ingredients: asparagus, peas, arugula, almond, lemon, mint
Get the recipe
Vibrant Middle Eastern Salad
Take this salad to the next level with fresh herbs and caramelized lemon slices.Ingredients: lemon, lettuce, mint, parsley, golden raisins, pomegranate, pistachios, cucumer
Get the recipe
Salade Lyonnaise
Typically served with crispy bacon, this vegetarian version still delivers texture and a salty, tangy punch.Ingredients: walnuts, shallot, garlic, sherry vinegar, dijon mustard, lemon, eggs, frisee
Get the recipe
Blueberry Kale Salad with Candied Lemons
A light, summery kale salad with lots of texture!Ingredients: kale, lemon, almonds, blueberries, radishes
Get the recipe
Cilantro Salad with Peanut Sauce Dressing
Creamy peanut sauce dressing is tossed with a crunchy mix of fresh veggies for a flavorful, filling salad.Ingredients: lettuce, carrot, celery, peanuts, cilantro, peanut sauce dressing
Get the recipe
Green Salads with Seafood
Simple Niçoise Salad
This classic salad is made with a variety of fresh produce and can easily be customized to what you have on hand already!Ingredients: green beans, egg, tomato, shallot, mixed greens, canned tuna
Get the recipe
Simple Salmon Citrus Salad
Prepare salmon filets in the Instant Pot or oven and top it on a bed of fresh salad with bright citrus.Ingredients: salmon filets, shallot, garlic, lemon, grapefruit, orange, avocado, pistachios
Get the recipe
Spicy Chipotle Shrimp Salad
This southwest-inspired salad is made with grilled shrimp, but they can easily be kept off to make it vegetarian. You won't miss any of the flavors that are loaded in the creamy chipotle dressing!Ingredients: chipotle cilantro dressing, romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, tomatoes, crispy onions
Get the recipe
Salmon Blueberry Power Salad
A simple salad recipe that is full of brain-power superfoods!Ingredients: salmon, lemon, honey mustard dressing, greens, blueberries, corn
Get the recipe
Green Salad Dressings
If you need a super easy solution to getting salad on the table, try one of these vinaigrette dressings to jazz up those mixed greens.
- Honey Dijon Dressing
- White Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Dairy-Free Creamy Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Honey Lime Dressing
These add-ons are great for quick throw-together salads:
- dried fruits like cranberries or cherries
- kalamata or black, or green olives
- goat cheese slices or shredded parmesan
- thinly sliced red onions or shallot
- sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- other nuts like walnuts or pecans
- of course, don’t forget the homemade croutons!
Looking for more grain-based salads or ones that are vegetable-based? Be sure to check out all of our salad recipes!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Get the Recipe 20+ Green Salad Recipes: Bright Spring Vegetable Salad
These easy green salad recipes are loaded with texture — the best salads that are anything but boring! Enjoy them as a meal for dinner or lunch, or serve them as a side dish to just about any main – from grilled meat or seafood to pizza and pasta, or soup.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces (~2 1/2 – 3 cups)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup snap peas
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 1/2 cup almond slices
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon honey, sub maple syrup for vegan
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan filled with salted water to a boil and prepare an ice bath. Add chopped asparagus to boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes, depending on thickness, until slightly tender. Add frozen peas with 1 minute remaining. Transfer immediately to an ice bath.
- Meanwhile, add snap peas, arugula, and almond slices to a large bowl, and set aside.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon zest and juice, mint, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to combine. Taste for salt and pepper levels and adjust as needed.
- Drain the vegetables from the ice bath and toss with the remaining salad ingredients and dressing. Serve immediately. If serving the salad later, store the dressing in an airtight container and toss immediately before serving.
Notes
Easily make this recipe vegan by using maple syrup in place of honey.
Calories: 309kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 53mg, Potassium: 504mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1164IU, Vitamin C: 53mg, Calcium: 148mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
These were very yum! Very humid and almost like food! Not your average cookie! It made it easier to roll balls as my flour/mixture was too wet. I used plain butter and did walnuts and raisins. Just wondering what I’m going to change next time so they’re crisp outside
and soft in the middle?? Seems less butter? Or maybe there’s no egg and no extra egg yolk? The response will be appreciated! Thank you
Hi Diane – which cookie recipe are you referring to? This comment was left on a salad round-up, so I’m not sure. I’d be happy to address your questions once I know which you made. Thanks!