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These 13 Salads Aren’t Your Grandma’s Garden Variety

Think you know salads? Think again! These 13 salads will throw you for a loop—they’re definitely not your grandma’s garden variety. Packed with bold flavors and unexpected combinations, they’re designed to steal the show at any meal. Whether you’re looking to jazz up your lunch routine or impress at a dinner party, these salads are up to the task. Get ready to toss up something truly exciting!

Rotisserie chicken pasta salad in a bowl.
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Let’s kick things old school with a twist on Old Fashioned Ham Salad. This isn’t just a way to use up leftovers; it’s how you turn the everyday into something special. It’s perfect smeared on crackers or nestled between bread for a sandwich that’s anything but ordinary. Gone are the days of dull ham salads; welcome to your new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

An image of Tex-Mex Caesar Salad on a square plate.
Tex-Mex Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you thought Caesar was all there was, Tex-Mex Caesar Salad is here to prove you wrong. We’re taking the classic and throwing in a dash of bold Tex-Mex flavor for a salad that’s anything but ordinary. It’s a fresh take on an old favorite, perfect for when you’re looking to shake things up. Get ready for a salad that’s as lively as it is tasty.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ever wished you could bottle the flavors of a street fair? Mexican Street Corn Salad does just that, packing all that creamy, spicy goodness into one bowl. It’s the kind of salad that stands out in a potluck, screaming fun and flavor. Forget the same old sides; this is how you bring the party to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Rotisserie chicken pasta salad in a bowl.
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad takes the hassle out of meal prep without skimping on flavor. It’s a hearty mix that’ll keep you full without weighing you down. Perfect for picnics, easy lunches, or light dinners, it’s as versatile as it is delicious. Say goodbye to boring salads; this one’s a game-changer.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad in a white serving bowl.
Shirazi Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When the heat’s cranked up, Shirazi Salad steps in as the ultimate cool-down. Blending simple ingredients for a refreshingly light bite, it’s a testament to the power of keeping things simple. Think of it as a tiny vacation to the Persian Gulf, no passport needed. It’s all about freshness, making heavy meals a distant memory.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Steak & Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with a pasta salad containing farfalle, steak slices, radishes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, nuts, and crumbled blue cheese, garnished with parsley, on a wooden board next to a spoon.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Steak & Pasta Salad proves once and for all that salads can indeed be the main event. Juicy steak meets pasta in a dish that’s both satisfying and surprisingly light. It’s the ultimate way to get your salad and meat fix in one go, no compromises necessary. Who knew greens could be this hearty?
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Curried chicken salad in a blue bowl.
Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re bored with standard chicken salad, the Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins will wake up your senses. Sweet raisins and warm curry join forces to turn the chicken from humdrum to extraordinary. It’s a little adventurous, sure, but in the best way possible, making dull lunches a thing of the past. Who said salads had to be boring, anyway?
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Salmon Pasta Salad

Salmon pasta salad in a black dish.
Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Breaking the mold is what Salmon Pasta Salad does best, combining omega-rich salmon with the comfort of pasta. It’s a dish that says no to the mundane, offering a satisfying meal that feels a touch more special. Perfect for those days when ‘the usual’ just won’t do. It’s adventurous, without being too out there.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Wheat Berry Salad with Tomato & Tuna in a bowl.
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes is all about texture and flavor. Chewy wheat berries, light tuna, and juicy tomatoes come together for a salad that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. It’s the kind of meal that makes healthy eating exciting. Forget bland diets; this is how you spice up your meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Pesto Orzo Salad

Orzo salad resting on a dark plate.
Pesto Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

With Pesto Orzo Salad, simplicity is the star. It’s a small dish with a big presence, using pesto to turn orzo into something you’ll crave. Light yet filling, it works as a side or a standalone lunch. Bid farewell to complicated meals; this is easy eating at its finest.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

A bowl of yellow bean and potato salad.
Yellow Bean & Potato Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Yellow Bean & Potato Salad is here to switch up the salad game. By pairing hearty potatoes with crisp yellow beans, this dish is a refreshing twist on the familiar. It’s a side that brings comfort and freshness to the table in equal measure. This is how you keep summer going all year round.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Say hello to a chicken salad that refuses to blend into the background. Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts throws in sweetness and crunch for a taste that’s anything but predictable. It’s not just about being healthy; it’s about loving what you eat. Let’s make that lunchbox the envy of the office.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

Herbed potato salad on a white platter.
Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic breathes new life into a classic. This version is all about freshness, ditching the heavy mayo for bright herbs and green garlic. It’s the perfect addition to any BBQ or picnic, making you rethink what potato salad can be. Who says classics can’t be reinvented?
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

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