Don’t like traditional salads? Give one of these recipes a try!
Salads are often considered one of the healthiest meals you can have, but many people don’t enjoy the classic “leafy greens and basic veggies” version.
If you’re one of those people, take heart: there are plenty of unique healthy salad recipes you can try to make a nutritious, flavorful, and veggie-filled meal. From warm roasted vegetable salads to summery pasta salads, there’s something out there for everyone!
Here are seven unique healthy salad recipes you can try to shake up your meal plan:
- Roasted red pepper and chickpea salad
- Mexican street corn salad
- Three bean salad
- Chopped garden salad
- Veggie lovers’ pasta salad
- Grilled peach salad
- Roasted vegetable salad
Let’s take a bite of these unique healthy salad recipes below and learn about their benefits!
Roasted red pepper and chickpea salad
This roasted red pepper and chickpea salad is a delicious combination of warm roasted vegetables and protein-packed chickpeas. The roasting process enhances the natural sweetness of the red peppers, which pairs beautifully with the earthy creaminess of the chickpeas. Cucumbers, pickled onions, and parsley join in to add freshness, and you’ll top the whole thing with a balsamic or lemon vinaigrette. (Vinegar has its own health benefits to offer, so drizzle away!)
Mexican street corn salad
This Mexican street corn salad takes your favorite flavors from traditional Mexican street corn and transforms them into a delicious salad. Start by grilling fresh ears of corn until they are charred. Once the corn has cooled, slice the kernels off of the cob and place them in a bowl before mixing in your toppings and dressing. This salad will feature classic flavors like tangy lime, bright cilantro, and spicy jalapeño. You can add extra plant-based protein and fiber by tossing in a can of rinsed black beans, too.
Three bean salad
Speaking of beans, let’s mix in a few more kinds! You can’t get much simpler than this three-bean salad that combines cannellini, kidney and garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) with fresh veggies and a tangy dressing. Along with their protein and fiber, beans are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart health, digestion, and overall well-being.
Chopped garden salad
There’s something about chopping your ingredients up into very small pieces that can make salads feel easier to eat (compared to chomping a huge leaf of lettuce). A chopped garden salad is a great way to use up fresh vegetables from your fridge or vegetable garden! You can follow a recipe like this one or just use whatever you have on hand, whether that’s lettuce, cabbage, spinach, fresh herbs, carrots, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, or radishes — the sky is the limit! Just chop your ingredients up into small pieces and mix them all with your favorite dressing.
Veggie-lovers’ pasta salad
It’s basically a fact that veggies always taste better when they’re served with pasta. That makes this Italian pasta salad perfect for summertime potlucks and picnics. Choose fresh veggies like cucumbers, red onions, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and olives. You can use your favorite type of pasta, or to amp up the nutrition factor of your pasta salad, go with a whole-grain or fortified protein pasta instead of a white variety.
Grilled peach salad
Sweet, smoky, and juicy are three great qualities to add to your salad, and grilled peaches hit them all at once! Try this salad featuring peaches alongside blueberries, pecans, arugula (or your green of choice, like spinach), and homemade vinaigrette. With one salad, you’re getting three of the best ingredients on our list of healthy summer foods!
Roasted vegetable salad
Who says salad is just a spring and summer meal? This warming roasted veggie salad is a perfect option for cooler nights, full of spiced sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, and other veggies. Serve on a bed of greens and top with an herbaceous homemade green sauce for extra brightness and flavor.
Are you planning to make these unique healthy salad recipes for your next barbecue? Pair them with these healthy grilled recipes too!
