More than just a side dish, these salads will take centre stage on your dining table for a lazy summer lunch or dinner. Whether you’re looking for something light and fresh or a homemade dressing to drizzle on a filling salad, we have you sorted.
We’ve rounded up the 32 best salad recipes for anytime of the year.
33 best salads to serve as a main for vegetarians or as a side to barbecued meats
1. Mango, avocado and macadamia salad
Bring the taste of summer to your next meal with this seasonal salad.
2. Beetroot, peach and toffee walnut fattoush
Quick-to-make crispy maple walnuts add a tasty crunch to this jolly salad.
3. Warm smashed potato and radicchio salad with lemon aioli
Drizzled with homemade lemon aioli, your potato salad never looked – or tasted – so good!
4. Roast pumpkin, heirloom tomato and feta salad
Make a bright and bold salad with your own maple mustard dressing… delish!
5. Quinoa, lentil and sweet potato salad with pan-fried haloumi
Summer on a plate.
6. Epic summer salad
Perfect on its own or as a side with a meat dish.
7. Cranberry and lime glazed ham and wreath salad
Glaze your ham with this zesty cranberry, apricot and chilli glaze for an unforgettable flavour hit.
8. Panzanella salad with heirloom tomatoes
Let vibrant Mediterranean colours take centre stage with a Tuscan-inspired summer salad.
9. Pearl couscous and pomegranate salad
Whip up these little pearls and you’ll feel full of wisdom!
10. The new green salad
Want a refreshing take on greens? Use the Greek-inspired flavours of zesty lemon and fragrant fresh mint.
11. Easy beetroot, rocket and walnut summer salad
The easiest and tastiest salad you’ll ever make.
12. Beetroot and orange salad
Fresh and zesty this salad is as decorative as it is delicious!
13. Citrus, fennel and goat cheese salad
Topped with candied nuts and a zesty dressing.
14. Colourful summer slaw
Full of crunch veg, this salad doesn’t rely on dressing for taste but just a bit of garlic, oil, mustard and lemon, plus mint and coriander for freshness.
15. Candied carrot salad with yoghurt, garden herbs and tahini
Glazed carrots are combined with cranberries and mint for a summer salad served with not one but three creamy dressings – yoghurt, tahini and herb sauce.
16. Watermelon and grilled halloumi salad
17. Tomato, melon and prosciutto salad
Wedges of rockmelon wrapped in Italian dry-cured ham with lots of yummy extras such as tomatoes, rocket and hazelnuts? Now that’s a salad!
18. Crispy fennel, orange, zucchini and pine nut salad
Set down a platter piled with this beautiful side and it will brighten your table! Its citrusy flavours will complement your seafood mains.
19. Roasted pumpkin salad with candied chilli pecans
It’s roast veg and a summer salad in one as vibrant colours and crunch combine on the plate.
20. Kale coleslaw
Give lettuce a break, this summer it’s kale’s time to shine! Red cabbage, parsley, dill and a citrus twist complete the slaw.
21. Royal potato salad
The perfect accompaniment to any entertaining, this royal classic is fit for kings, queens, family and friends.
22. Peach and walnut salad
Keep things seasonal with this fruity beauty showcasing nuts for crunch and a tangy dressing. It will go beautifully with any kind of protein.
23. Japanese-style potato salad
Made with baby spuds and crispy bacon, adding miso paste and Japanese mayo – plus celery and nuts for crunch – takes this barbie staple to the next level.
24. Asian-style coleslaw
Dressing is the hero in any coleslaw, but here, the usual creamy combo gives way to a zesty, tangy marinade. Fresh herbs, peanuts and black sesame seeds enhance the Asian-style makeover.
25. Greek-inspired quinoa salad with lemon-feta dressing
The famous Greek salad of cucumber, tomato, onion, olive and feta cheese was the flavour inspiration for this colourful dish. You trade tomatoes for baby capsicums to add juicy crunch, and mix in quinoa, chickpeas and spinach for a protein and fibre boost. Click here for the recipe.
26. Roasted cauliflower salad with eggplant smash
This salad has got everything you’d want with pops of vibrant colour and flavour with that all-important crunch. And you’ve never tasted roasted cauliflower in a salad as mouthwatering as this, thanks to Middle Eastern flair. Click here for the recipe.
27. Spiced pumpkin, date, almonds and moghrabieh salad
Karen will show you how to elevate a simple vegetable like a pumpkin to be the shining star of your next salad. Combined with a Middle Eastern cous cous, nuts and a buttery dressing, you have a very tasty winner.
28. Haloumi with dukkah and beetroot salad
This gorgeous combination of cheese, beetroot and dukkah will leave you wanting more!
29. Pasta salad
Packed with pancetta, pesto, bocconcini and baby spinach, this colourful and Italian-inspired pasta salad is so versatile. You can whip it up for a sit-down meal or backyard barbie.
30. Grilled broccoli, rocket, mozzarella and basil salad
Guests who want a lighter option will be super-satisfied with this blaze of healthy green goodness.
31. Rice salad with crunchy noodles
Put this super-simple side together beforehand, so you can sit back and relax!
32. Watermelon, pomegranate and feta salad
In cheery Christmas colours of red and green, this stunning salad will garner all the oohs and ahhs. To save time, buy a punnet of pomegranate arils from the supermarket – too easy!
33. Roast carrot salad with lemon and grains
Combine hearty buckwheat and pearl couscous with tender roasted carrots for a vibrant and filling festive side. No yoghurt? Scatter crumbled feta instead.
Do you prefer traditional hot side dishes? Check out our top eight side dishes here.
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