The first quarter of 2018 is in the books! How have you fared with the goals you set at the beginning of the year? I’ve been regularly consulting mine in order to stay on track. Between getting fitted for bridesmaids dresses and aso ebi (Nigerian custom for weddings and other special events), and bikini shopping, it isn’t even possible to ignore my fitness goals. My workout routine is going well but, as they say, abs are made in the kitchen. Thus, healthy eating is playing a big part, too. Y’all likely know that I’m not necessarily a “meat and potatoes” type of gal to begin with so there hasn’t been a big overhaul of my eating BUT salads have become a bit more prominent. Among the chief complaints I hear about salads are that they are boring, bland, or don’t fill the belly. And have you ever noticed that salads at restaurants seem to taste way better than what you make at home? That all ends right here, right now. 🙂 Whether you have #summerbody goals or just want to be good to yourself in general, salads should definitely be in your meal rotation. But we’re not talking about sad platters of lonely lettuce here. We aren’t talking about the mayo-based salads you’d find at a cookout, either. We’re talking leafy green goodness with all the textures, flavors, toppings, and delicious dressings that make a salad filling and enjoyable while still being good for you! This post is packed with over 50 homemade salads you’ll actually want to eat! Open your notes app because your grocery list is about to be lit. This roundup includes a variety of good-for-you-greens, rainbows of fruits and veggies, protein-packed toppings, and a variety of dressing types. Spoiler alert: there’s more to life than ranch. The recipe creators included in this roundup all seem to be on board with my best homemade salads tips because they produced a plethora of not-boring meal salads that will help keep you summertime fine all year round!
50 Homemade Salads You’ll Actually Want to Eat
- Addictive Massaged Kale Salad
- Agave Mustard Chicken Avocado Salad
- Alabama Cobb Salad
- Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad
- Arugula, Beets & Grilled Sesame Chicken
- Asian Chicken Salad
- Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad with Ginger Almond Dressing
- Baby Kale Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan
- Bacon Blue Cheese Burger Salad
- Black Raspberry Goat Cheese and Pistachio Salad
- Blood Orange Kale Salad
- Blueberry Blue Cheese Salad w/Blueberry Vinaigrette
- Broccoli Slaw Salad
- Brussel Sprouts and Orzo Salad
- Buffalo Shrimp Salad
- Candied Pecan Pear Salad with Pomegranates
- Chicken Fajita Salad
- Chicken and Chickpea Salad
- Chopped Southwestern Salad
- Chopped Thai Salad with Easy Peanut Dressing
- Crunchy Kale Salad
- Cucumber Lentil Tomato Salad
- Easy Mexican Layered Salad
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Greek Salad with Zoodles
- Grilled Kale Salad with Strawberries
- Healthy Fall Salad with Kale, Sweet Potatoes, and Creamy Maple Curry Dressing
- Healthy Mexican Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Heart Healthy Avocado Mango Salad
- Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad with Walnuts, Parmesan & Lemon-Mustard Dressing
- Kale Quinoa Salad with Cider Vinaigrette
- Kid-Friendly Kale Salad with Apples
- Mandarin Orange Quinoa Spinach Salad with Kiwi Mango Dressing
- Mediterranean Cobb Salad
- Nick’s Easy Healthy Salad
- Orange Pomegranate Walnut Salad
- Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
- Pomegranate Pear and Candied Pecan Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
- Raw Spiralized Thai Salad
- Sesame Cucumber Salad
- Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
- Simple Salad with Warm Broccoli
- Spinach Salad with Bacon
- Spring Mix Salad with Blueberries, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts
- Steak Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad
- Summer Cobb Salad
- Thai Chicken Noodle Salad with Peanut Lime Dressing
- Urban Farmer’s Salad
- Vegan Caesar Salad with Grilled Lettuce and Herbed Croutons
- Whole 30 Prawn Avocado Salad
- Zesty Grilled Chicken and Greens Salad
- Zucchini Carpaccio
Lastly, don’t cancel out all the greatness of a good salad by drowning it in a questionable dressing (I’m looking at you, Thousand Island!). All of the recipes above include either store-bought or homemade salad dressing recommendations. Here are two more worth your while: Clean Ranch Salad Dressing, Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette . Thanks for reading!
Jazz, these all look so incredible. It’s impossible to pick just one. But I’d have to say that the quinoa salad is definitely at the top of my list!
All of these salads look really good. I’m going to have to make a few of these once I feel better.
Angela
That steak salad looks really good! It’s making me hungry. I’m going to have to check out some of these ideas. I love salad!
Yes please! I’m not usually a big salad person but those totally look delicious. That steak salad looks really yummy.
“Abs are made in the kitchen’,” I have never heard this quote and but I love it and I’m writing it on a sticky note on my pantry door! Also I’m a healthy eater but I typically don’t like eating salads at home and I’ve been trying to be better at that. This post couldn’t have had better timing for me. Pinning right now, thanks a million!
I’m glad this is helpful, Chelsea! Thanks for reading!
Delicious looking salads! Definitely trying these!
Nikki x
https://www.nikkiojiwears.com
These all look so good! I love how rich the colors are in that kale/blood orange salad in particular.
Lovely post <3
Mariamma
Great recipes, love it. Can’t wait to try this at home. Thanks for posting.
These recipes are awesome! I’ll absolutely try these recipes someday. Thanks a lot for sharing!