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13 Salads You Shouldn’t Underestimate (They’re Packing Flavor Punches)

Think salads are just a bunch of leafy greens tossed together? Think again. These 13 salads we’re talking about? They’re here to show you how wrong that idea is. They come packed with flavors that’ll surprise you, from the first bite to the last. It’s like taking a world tour with your palate without ever leaving your kitchen. And the best part? You end up feeling pretty good about what you ate because, hey, it’s still a salad!

A bowl of Mediterranean orzo salad on a black plate.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

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

If you’re sleeping on this Mexican Street Corn Salad, you’re missing out because it’s a fiesta in a bowl. It has the charred sweetness of corn playing off the tangy hits of mix-ins and the creaminess of cheese. Every forkful is like a little street party for your palate and it’s a plate of bold, no-holds-barred flavors.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn 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.

This isn’t just any chicken salad. Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts brings a crunchy, tangy twist to the table, mixing the rich, savory chunks of chicken with the tart pop of cranberries and the earthy crunch of walnuts. It will wrap you up in a satisfying mouthful that punches above its weight class in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Shirazi Salad

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

Underestimating this Shirazi Salad is a mistake. It’s because it’s a vibrant pocket of freshness that brings herbs and mint zing, matched with the coolness of cucumber and the sweetness of tomatoes. Every spoonful is a refreshing dip into a pool of flavors that contrast each other.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

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

A silent flavor bomb waiting to explode with each bite is Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins. It combines tender chicken with the warm, aromatic spices of curry and the unexpected sweet bursts from raisins. It creates an adventurous taste trip that’s a bold breakaway from your regular chicken salad narrative.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Steak & Pasta Salad

Overheat shot of steakhouse pasta salad.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Don’t let the words ‘steak’ and ‘salad’ in Steak & Pasta Salad fool you. This is a hearty meal that promises a well-matched duel between juicy steak strips and al dente pasta, all while being tucked in among fresh greens and a dressing. Together, they kick the whole dish into a new, delicious territory.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Pesto Orzo Salad

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

Ditch the notion of bland salads and dig into Pesto Orzo Salad. It’s where the nutty, herby flavors of pesto find goodness with the petite pearls of orzo. Every bite is a reminder that salads can indeed be the main event, loaded with flavor so compelling, that it’ll change the way you view the humble orzo forever.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

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

More than what meets the eye, Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad offers chunks of juicy rotisserie chicken. It also has the comforting chew of pasta, tossed together with a dressing that ties all flavors together amazingly. It creates a bold meal that will fill you up and keep you happy.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken 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.

When the chewy, nutty wheat berries meet the hearty flakes of tuna and the juicy punch of tomatoes, you’ll get Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes. It delivers a surprising depth of flavor, making for a satisfying meal. It’s not only a powerhouse of nutrition but also a flavor fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Salmon Pasta Salad

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

Looking for a meal where elegance meets comfort? Salmon Pasta Salad is the answer. It blends flaky, omega-rich salmon with pasta and a light dressing to create a balanced fusion of flavors that cater to both your health and cravings. It will give you a salad that’s anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

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

Talk about a hearty dish, this Yellow Bean & Potato Salad takes a beloved classic and gives it a fresh twist. The yellow beans add a tender crisp bite alongside the comforting potatoes. It’s all brought together with a dressing that sparks with flavor, turning humble vegetables into something great.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

A bowl of Mediterranean orzo salad on a black plate.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A delicious trip to the coast can be achieved with Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. It has shrimp that brings a taste of the sea and the orzo soaks up all the sun-kissed Mediterranean flavors. Each mouthful is an irresistible medley of taste that’s reminiscent of a breezy day by the ocean.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

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 doesn’t play by the rules. It takes the comforting familiarity of potato salad and adds a fresh kick with a mix of green herbs and a punch of green garlic. It creates a full-flavored dish that’s both a nod to tradition and a fresh take.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

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.

Turn up the heat on the classic Caesar. Pack it with a Tex-Mex flair that’ll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about this Roman creation. Every bite of Tex-Mex Caesar Salad is crunchy, creamy, and slightly spicy which makes it clear this salad has earned its spot on any flavor lover’s plate.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

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