12 Refreshing Side Salad Recipes to Brighten up Your Weeknight Dinners

From Korean cucumber banchan to a classic Caesar, these side salad recipes might just end up stealing the show.

By
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Associate Editor
Yasmine is an Associate Editor at Serious Eats. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health and on L’Officiel USA, and she recently graduated from New York University with a master's in journalism. You can find her at Bleecker Street Pizza on any given weekend.
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and
The Serious Eats Team
The Serious Eats Team
At Serious Eats, we’re a team of self-proclaimed food nerds who are ever-curious about the “why” behind cooking. The staff has worked in restaurants, test kitchens, bakeries, and other notable publications, bringing extensive culinary and editorial expertise to the table.
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Published December 19, 2024
Overhead view of Fattoush

Serious Eats / Mai Kakish

Serving a salad next to a main—especially one that's protein-rich—is a great way to balance a heavier meal with something that's light and refreshing. But just because you're serving a salad on the side doesn't mean it needs to be bland and boring. Side salads can offer flavors and textures that complement a meal—and can sometimes even steal the show. From Korean cucumber banchan to a classic Caesar, these are our favorite side salad recipes to complete your meal.

March 2023

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