The Best Side Salad Recipes That Showcase Seasonal Ingredients (2024)

Drawing a blank for what to serve with your main course for a weeknight dinner? We've rounded up our best side salad recipes that range from delicious summer salads bursting with in-season watermelon and tomatoes to fall salads that showcase seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and beets. Many of these salads are so good, they're even worth enjoying on their own. A side dish doesn't always have to be complicated to be delicious and look fancy, so we included some simple side salad recipes that take less than 15 minutes to prepare. Dinner will be a hit, plus the kids will actually enjoy their veggies with these side salad recipes on the table—no matter the season.

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Acorn Squash Salad With Roasted Sorghum-Tahini Vinaigrette

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This fresh fall salad makes use of a lesser-used squash variety that deserves its time to shine. This pretty scalloped squash doesn't even need to be peeled, as roasting tenderizes the skin. Other fall favorites like curly kale, Granny Smith apples, and sweet dried cranberries make this seasonal salad stand out.

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Autumn Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

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Almost every fall flavor you can think of is packed into this salad. Sweet potatoes? Apples? Kale? Check, check, check. The savory-sweet flavor will have you asking for seconds.

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Field Pea Salad With Tomatoes And Feta

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This field pea salad variation calls for lady peas, which remain a white or light green color even after they've been cooked. Let the peas sit in their cooking liquid for a few minutes to help them relax. This summer salad is the ideal packable picnic side or pool-side snack.

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Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

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Black beans, jalapeño, cilantro, and a honey-lime dressing channel Southwestern flavor in this lighter twist on a potato salad. The fresh summer corn and sweet potatoes are roasted to develop a slight char that will complement anything you pull off the grill.

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Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad With Ricotta And Summer Herbs

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This salad would pair well with summer kabobs, enjoyed al fresco on your patio. Cooking the bell peppers brings out their sweetness, after which they soak in a simple marinade of lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Creamy ricotta and fresh garden herbs enhance all that summery flavor.

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Grilled Peach Salad With Chipotle-Raspberry Vinaigrette

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This simple six-ingredient salad shines bright with the spicy-sweet vinaigrette. Make sure to use perfectly ripe peaches, preferably purchased at a roadside farm stand. Pair it with a burger at your next cookout or enjoy roast chicken on top of it.

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Spring Salad With Berries And Bacon

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We don't think there can ever be too many strawberries or bacon bits when it comes to a salad. This recipe loads up a baby spring mix with those sweet and savory elements, along with cherry tomatoes and shallots. We like 'Sun Gold' tomatoes for their bright color and sweetness.

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Cucumber-Chickpea Salad With Feta-Mint Vinaigrette

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This cold salad is a refreshing side for sandwiches, kebabs, or Greek-inspired dishes in the summer heat. Fresh mint and feta add more zest to crisp cucumbers and red onions. Instead of croutons, we used packaged roasted chickpeas for their crunch.

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Three-Bean Salad With Tomatoes And Tangy Creole Dressing

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The dressing on this salad makes it exciting for even the pickiest vegetable eaters. The maple syrup-mustard mixture gets a dose of hot sauce and Creole seasoning—but of course, you have control over how much. Serve this crunchy, full-flavored salad as a side to fish or burgers.

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Carla Hall's Warm Carrot Salad With Creamy Lemon Dressing

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This may seem like an Easter side dish, but we think this salad would be just as good on your Thanksgiving table. Both are times of year that you can find colorful carrots at the farmers' markets. A relish of golden raisins, Granny Smith apples, and pineapple enlivens this warm salad.

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Collard Green Salad With Oranges And Port-Soaked Cherries

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Serve this salad alongside salmon or chicken for a delicious winter dinner that makes the most of the season's fresh citrus. Tangy goat cheese, earthy walnuts, and juicy, port-infused cherries make this simple salad extra special. If you'd rather skip the port, just use dried cherries soaked in apple or grape juice.

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Chopped Kale Salad With Toasted Breadcrumbs

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This lightened-up version of a Caesar salad is great for any pizza or pasta night. Rather than fishy anchovies, the dressing gets its hit of umami from Worcestershire sauce.The grated boiled eggs make the salad hearty enough for a main dish when you want a lighter supper.

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Arugula Salad With Bacony Croutons And Sherry Vinaigrette

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This salad is indulgent, and probably the most Southern take on a green salad you'll ever try, from the sourdough croutons toasted in bacon grease to the blue cheese and pecans. Pink honeycrisp apples brighten the color and flavor.

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Harvest Salad

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This loaded salad really could be a meal in itself, but it's too gorgeous not to include as a side dish for your dinner next party. The salad is a presentation of everything we love about the fall —kabocha squash, Brussels sprouts,hearty kale, and honeycrisp apples. Go ahead and throw on some toasted pumpkin seeds while you're at it.

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Crunchy Okra-And-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing

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The seared okra pods and corn add a delicious, charred flavor to this crispy summer salad. Use a cast-iron skillet to achieve a light sear that allows the vegetables to retain their color and texture. And make some extra of the ranch dressing, which you'll want to save as a dip.

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Caesar Salad With Garlicky Croutons

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Sometimes a Caesar salad just sounds right, but there are ways to get out of the bagged salad rut. This recipe makes Caesar salad a little more special with the addition of garlicky croutons on your fresh romaine.

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Marinated Tomato-And-Herb Salad

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You know a tomato salad is good when you can see the tomato juice running around the plate. Fresh herbs and flaky salt are all you need, plus some good Southern tomatoes, of course.

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Grilled Baby Zucchini-And-Tomato Salad

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This twist on a classic Italian panzanella salad shows off all the delicious flavors of summer produce. With young, tender squash, all you need to do is slice it lengthwise and stick it on the grill. Toast the bread slices at the same time to give them a smoky char.

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Field Pea Fattoush Salad

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This Middle Eastern dish is made with toasted pita. It takes just a few minutes to prepare in the oven, and then you can toss all the ingredients together. Tomatoes, field peas, mint, and cucumbers create the ultimate flavor combo.

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Strawberry-Spinach Salad

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Nothing quite says "spring is here" like a light and fresh berry salad. Especially when it's served over spinach and tossed with a Vidalia onion dressing. Blue cheese and candied pecans add some heft to this springy side.

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Radish, Avocado, And Citrus Salad

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This bright salad is a welcome addition to your line up during the shorter days in winter. Pomegranate seeds and peppery radishes mingle with an assortment of citrus. The orange blossom honey provides a special touch to the tangy dressing.

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Spring Mix Salad With Herbed Goat Cheese

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Sliced asparagus and sugar snap peas add sweetness to this crisp salad while the radishes have a delicious bite to them. Plus, the creamy goat cheese with herbs is the finish to the dish you didn't know you were missing.

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Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad

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The tomatoes and melon in this salad soak up the delicious lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette for an invigorating bite. We recommend marinating for just 30 minutes, so the salad doesn't grow too watery and the herbs stay crisp and flavorful.

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Heirloom Tomato Salad With Herbs

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Bring this salad to your next summer cookout and everyone will be asking for the recipe throughout the rest of the season. Look for a good mix of colors, shapes, and sizes, throwing in a few striped tomatoes for fun. Then use your favorite herbs from the garden.

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Field Pea, Corn, And Bacon Salad

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What better way to show off fresh shelled peas than this salad? These field peas and corn drizzled in our summer sauce (an herb vinaigrette with mint, basil, and parsley), then topped with crispy bacon might just become your new summer side salad staple.

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Squash Ribbon Salad

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An easy veggie side is the perfect complement for any summer meal. Best of all, it's a cinch to pull together while looking quite impressive. Just use your Y-peeler to achieve those elegant curls.

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Herbed Cucumber-Tomato Salad

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A vinegar-based dressing and a handful of herbs will take your typical cucumber and tomato mixture to the next level. Greek-inspired and incredibly zesty, this salad is wonderful paired with grilled steak or lamb.

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Citrus Salad With Spiced Honey

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You'll be thankful that citrus season falls at the same time as all the family winter gatherings. An array of spices enhances the sparkle of this dish, along with fresh mint leaves and a sprinkle of salt. If your hands are full with roasts and pies, you can make this salad a day ahead of time.

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Yellow Tomatoes And Burrata With Watermelon-Beet Salsa

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Look no further for an easy-to-enjoy salad that is as beautiful as it is tasty. A light Champagne vinaigrette enhances both sweetness and tang in the ingredients. Pair it with your favorite grilled chicken or pork.

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BLT Salad With Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing And Buttery Croutons

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We turned the South's favorite summer sandwich into a delicious salad. It's easily enjoyed on its own, but makes the perfect side for a grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak dinner.

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

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We can't think of a better way to show off summer's hottest produce than this simple dish. We made one change to the standard recipe: using white balsamic vinegar so this beautiful salad doesn't turn brown. Combine yellow, orange, and deep red tomatoes for the most colorful and flavorful result.

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Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

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Serve this street-corn-style salad alongside tacos for a delicious and (slightly) spicy dinner. Fresh lime juice and cilantro brighten the slight creaminess of the salad—just 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise help the ingredients come together.

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Beet, Fennel, And Apple Salad

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When the weather is cool, we love the anise flavor of fennel in everything from warm soups to chilled salads. It pairs especially well with crunchy, tart apples and sweet, earthy beets in this dish. This show-stopping salad is a special treat worthy of any elegant dinner.

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Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad

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Summer really is the time for all the best side salads. This dish dressed in our Honey Vinaigrette is bursting with flavor and only requires a few fresh ingredients. Toss the salad right before serving to preserve the texture of the tomatoes.

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Grilled Peach-And-Arugula Salad With Feta

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The grill isn't just for hamburgers and hotdogs. Our new favorite unexpected summer side dish takes peaches to the next level. The Georgia staple is slightly charred and tossed with baby arugula, feta cheese, mint leaves, and chopped pistachios for a remarkable blend of sweet, spicy, and crunchy.

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Apple And Goat Cheese Salad With Candied Pecans

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This big-batch salad can be made with the winter greens of your choice. Two cups each of creamy goat cheese and candied pecans make this a hearty start for dinner. You can make the candied pecans ahead of time so that assembling the salad is even easier.

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Strawberry Caprese Salad

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While we love a traditional caprese salad, it's nice to have a springtime version on hand. Replacing tomatoes with sweet berries provides a lovely balance with the tart balsamic vinegar. Serve it over a bed of lettuce or with crostinis.

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Brussels Sprout Slaw With Apples And Pecans

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Chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis created this easy and delicious recipe after being inspired to find a variation on the ever-popular kale salad.Serve this autumn salad full of crunchy Brussels sprouts, crisp apples, and toasted pecans for a lively seasonal side. It's complete with a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing.

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Sweet And Tangy Roasted Pumpkin Salad

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While fall is full of pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, we'd be remiss not to showcase it on a hearty salad too—seeds and all. There's not a sprinkle of cinnamon in sight in this recipe, but you will find fresh sage leaves and juicy dried cranberries.

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Winter Greens Salad With Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette

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Look no further for a simple greens salad full of winter lettuces. It's the ideal accompaniment for a rich, hearty meal. Fresh herbs and a sherry vinaigrette ensure this basic salad is anything but boring.

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Lemony White Bean Salad With Broccoli

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This is a fiber and nutrient-rich superstar of a salad, but most importantly, it's delicious. Warm roasted broccoli gets combined with salty Parmesan, spicy baby arugula leaves, and creamywhite beans. The red onions soak in the lemony dressing to temper the bite before everything is tossed together.

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Christmas Salad

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Talk about seasonal: This holiday favorite gets festive with candy cane-striped beets, but we like it at any winter meal. Red Swiss chard and Lacinato kale serve as the base, decorated with sprinkled dried cherries and roasted pumpkin seeds.

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Quinoa Salad With Carrots And Sugar Snap Peas

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This lightly cooked salad celebrates everything we love about spring: baby carrots, crisp sugar snaps, spicy arugula, and creamy goat cheese (yes, even goat cheese has a season). When combined with quinoa, this salad can be served as a main dish or side.

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Sesame, Tomato, And Cucumber Salad

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The soy sauce-based dressing in this recipe would be delicious on anything, but it's especially lovely over a refreshing mixture of summer cucumbers and tomatoes sprinkled with sesame seeds. A serrano or jalapeño chile keeps things spicy.

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Southern-Style Grilled Cobb Salad

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What makes this cobb salad stand apart from so many others? How about grilled fresh shucked corn and baby okra. Otherwise, you'll enjoy all of the standard cobb flavors here—just remember that it's all about the freshness and quality of the produce.

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Grilled Okra-And-Tomato Salad

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You could call this a grilled okra, eggplant, onion, and tomato salad, but then the radishes and purple basil might feel left out. This beautiful jewel-toned salad is just begging to be eaten—especially when drizzled with a warm butter-anchovy sauce.

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Simple Beet Salad

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Celebrate beets in their purest form with this salad recipe. The beets are lightly pickled in balsamic vinegar and oven-roasted until wonderfully sweet and tender.
After basting in their own juices, all these beets require is a sprinkle of walnuts to complement their earthy flavor.

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Grilled Endive-And-Halloumi Salad With Strawberries

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Great creative with the grill and throw on Belgian endive, a pale yellow lettuce with a nutty, bitter flavor that mellows from the heat. Toss in some spring strawberries, spicy arugula, and salty halloumi cheese for an unexpected treat.

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Popcorn Salad

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This salad might sound surprising, but popcorn turns out to be an excellent base for soaking up bacon drippings and dressing. This spring salad also makes use of celery greens, radishes, and carrots for an unusual seasonal side.

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Ann Taylor Pittman's Kale Citrus-Salad With Bacony Pecans

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Watermelon radishes and navel oranges add bright pops of color to this salad that's a healthy side option for your Thanksgiving feast, or any other time of year. This recipe uses equal parts arugula and Lacinato kale, two tender greens that will spice up your plate. For the smokiest, saltiest pecans possible, toast them in bacon drippings.