One of the best ways to maintain a healthy and balanced diet is to incorporate salads into your meals. Unlike other meals, salads are easy to create and very customizable.
In this article, we will share with you some of our favorite and healthy salad recipes that are perfect for dinner.
Greek Salad
This classic salad is packed with healthy ingredients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 2 cucumbers, chopped
- 3 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup of kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup of feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced red onion, sliced green bell pepper, and kalamata olives. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and top with crumbled feta cheese.
Chicken Taco Salad
This salad combines the flavors of your favorite taco with the crunchiness of lettuce. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 head of lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup of black beans
- 1 cup of corn
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup of salsa
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, black beans, corn, and avocado. Add in the cooked and shredded chicken. In a small bowl, mix together the salsa, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder. Serve the salsa dressing on top of the salad.
Caprese Salad with Pesto Dressing
This salad is a perfect combination of fresh ingredients and delicious flavors. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced into rounds
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup of pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of pesto
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Arrange the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella on a large plate. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves on top. In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts until crispy and golden brown.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, pesto, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top.
Thai Beef Salad
This salad is packed with protein and bursting with flavors. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 1 pound of sirloin steak, sliced into strips
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon of grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1/2 head of lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of cucumber, chopped
- 1/4 cup of red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
In a large bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Add sliced sirloin and toss to coat. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and cook the steak until cooked to your desired doneness.
In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh basil leaves. Top with cooked steak and serve.
Roasted Vegetable Salad
This salad is perfect for veggie lovers or as a side dish to any main course. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 1 eggplant, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 red pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 zucchini, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 head of lettuce, chopped
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, mix together chopped eggplant, red pepper, yellow pepper, and zucchini. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Spread the vegetables evenly on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until tender. In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce and roasted vegetables. Serve.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This salad is a unique and healthy twist on the popular Mexican street food. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 4 cups of cooked corn
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup of cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
In a large bowl, combine cooked corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, cotija cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, minced jalapeño pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Summer Fruit Salad
This refreshing fruit salad is perfect for hot summer nights. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 cup of strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup of cherries, pitted
- 1 cup of watermelon, chopped
- 1/2 cup of mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
In a large bowl, combine blueberries, sliced strawberries, pitted cherries, and chopped watermelon. In a small bowl, mix together honey and lime juice. Drizzle the dressing over the fruit and top with chopped mint leaves.
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
This salad combines the flavors of crispy bacon with fresh spinach leaves. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 6 cups of fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup of red onion, chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add chopped red onion and sauté until softened.
In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. In a large bowl, combine spinach leaves, cooked bacon, sautéed red onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Drizzle the warm dressing over the salad and serve.
Asian Noodle Salad
This salad is perfect for those who love Asian flavors. To make this salad, you will need:.
- 1 package of rice noodles, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup of carrots, chopped
- 1/2 cup of red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup of green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1/4 cup of rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
In a large bowl, combine cooked rice noodles, chopped carrots, chopped red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro leaves. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and grated ginger.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
Conclusion
Salads are an excellent option for dinner, whether you’re seeking to reduce your caloric intake, increase your vegetable intake, or just looking for a fresh meal.
These ten salad recipes are delicious, nutritious, and completely customizable to meet your preferences and dietary needs.