16 Side Salad Recipes to Complete Any Meal

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

Published March 29, 2023

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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, and even some options with grains, these are our favorite side salad recipes to complete your meal.

Creamy Cucumber Salad
Lynn Wolsted
This recipe yields a crunchy, creamy, refreshing cucumber salad thanks to tahini, lemon, and fresh dill.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
The Fully Loaded Iceberg Wedge Salad
Vicky Wasik
This classic salad is a celebration of rich, cooling flavors and a diversity of textures.
The Fully Loaded Iceberg Wedge Salad
Horiatiki (Greek Salad)
Vicky Wasik
For the best Greek side salad, pit the olives, soak the onions in red wine vinegar, and top with slabs of feta.
Horiatiki (Greek Salad)
Oi Muchim (Korean Marinated Cucumber Banchan)
Vicky Wasik
These marinated Korean cucumbers are tart, spicy, and just a touch sweet. You may not want dill pickles again.
Korean Marinated Cucumber Banchan (Oi Muchim)
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The Best Caesar Salad
Diana Chistruga
This crowd-pleasing salad consists of crisp romaine leaves, crunchy croutons, and a little or a lot of anchovy, as you like.
The Best Caesar Salad
Kale Caesar Salad
Serious Eats / Qi Ai
Marinating tough kale leaves in oil transforms them into tender salad greens in this riff on the classic Caesar.
Kale Caesar Salad
Trevisano Radicchio Salad
Vicky Wasik
This bright and citrusy salad balances bitter with sweet, while adding freshness, acid, a little heat, and some texture.
Trevisano Radicchio Salad
Tiger Salad (Lao Hu Cai), à la Xi'an Famous Foods
Savory, refreshing, and tart, this dish is inspired by the lao hu cai, or "tiger vegetable salad," served at Xi'an Famous Foods.
Tiger Salad (Lao Hu Cai), à la Xi'an Famous Foods
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Warm Kale and Caramelized Mushroom Salad
Serious Eats / Qi Ai
This salad features deeply golden brown sautéed mushrooms paired with hearty kale and a tangy sherry vinegar dressing.
Warm Kale and Caramelized Mushroom Salad
Charred Brussels Sprouts and Leek Muchim With Coffee-Dijon Dressing
Vicky Wasik
Marinated charred Brussels sprouts and raw leeks combine with a coffee-Dijon dressing for the ultimate Korean banchan-inspired salad.
Charred Brussels Sprouts and Leek Muchim With Coffee-Dijon Dressing
Roman-Inspired Mixed-Green Salad (Misticanza alla Romana)
Vicky Wasik
For a truly great mixed greens salad, make your own mix with the freshest stuff you can find: whole heads of lettuce, radicchio, herbs, dandelion greens, and more.
Roman-Inspired Mixed-Green Salad (Misticanza alla Romana)
Snap Pea Salad With Mint and Tahini-Harissa Dressing
J. Kenji López-Alt
Sweet snap peas and mint is a classic combination that lends itself well to variation, like in this light, cooling, and slightly spicy salad.
Snap Pea Salad With Mint and Tahini-Harissa Dressing
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Red Cabbage Salad With Roasted Cipollini Onions
Emily and Matt Clifton
This salad combines gorgeously sweet, meltingly tender roasted cipollini onions with red cabbage, bitter chicory, walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
Red Cabbage Salad With Roasted Cipollini Onions
Carrot Salad With Yogurt, Ghee, and Barberry Dressing
Vicky Wasik
This simple salad dresses up shaved and pickled carrot with perky barberries and warm spiced ghee.
Carrot Salad With Yogurt, Ghee, and Barberry Dressing
Radicchio, Endive, and Anchovy Salad
Bitter greens like radicchio, Belgian endive, and parsley take on a surprising sweetness when paired with fennel and celery dressed in an aggressively savory anchovy vinaigrette.
Radicchio, Endive, and Anchovy Salad
Wild Rice Salad With Mushrooms, Celery Root, and Pine Nuts
Vicky Wasik
This easy wild rice salad (or dressing, or stuffing) is deeply savory and earthy, thanks to sautéed mushrooms, celery root, and toasted pine nuts.
Wild Rice Salad With Mushrooms, Celery Root, and Pine Nuts

16 Side Salad Recipes to Complete Any Meal

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