14 Satisfyingly Delish Salad Recipes That Are Anything But Sad

Salads tend to come with a bad rep — a plate with some lettuce leaves, a few lonely tomatoes or slices of cucumber often come to mind. But getting your greens in doesn't have to be boring. Coming in a delightful assortment of flavours, textures, and ingredients, salads are often a versatile and nourishing choice to unleash culinary creativity without compromising on health. In this roundup, we've gathered a vibrant collection of effortless salads that can keep you at once energised and satisfied, prepared under 30 minutes. Make healthy eating easy and instantaneous with us here:

1. Pork Noodle Balls With Asian Salad

Ever thought of adding noodles to your meatballs? Us neither, but the results are phenomenal when served with a side of Asian salad. Try these pork noodle balls, an interpretation of the traditional Vietnamese dish, to spice up your weeknight meals.

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2. Red Fruit Salad With Chai-Spiced Yoghurt

A red fruit salad could be that pop of colour you need if you’re tired of seeing greens on your plate. With a vibrant mix of summer fruits such as watermelon, strawberries and cherries, here’s how to deliciously arrange this attractive fruit salad for summer parties, midday pick-me-ups, a post-dinner palate refresher and more.

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3. Chicken & Mango Salad

Chicken and mango make a harmonious and playful marriage of flavours few can resist. A tantalising choice for a refreshing and tasty meal, this is a salad that can conjure up appetites even when temperatures soar.

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4. Asparagus & Salmon Pasta Salad

Make your salad interesting with a combination of asparagus, salmon, and shell pasta. This nutrient-dense meal has a good amount of greens, carbs and protein to get you through the day. It’s also incredibly tasty and easy to prepare!

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5. Green Papaya Salad

With green papaya sliced into crunchy fine strips, combined with mint, lime juice, ginger and more, this refreshing and tangy salad with an unmistakable Thai flair is great as an appetiser or palate cleanser. You may find it pairs incredibly well with our larb gai or Thai beef salad.

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6. Lamb & Lentil Salad

This lamb and lentil salad is a hearty salad full of flavour and seasonal favourites. It also strikes the perfect balance between being too light, or carb-rich, so satiety is guaranteed without the risk of the meal being too overwhelming.

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7. Cobb Salad

What was once a celebrity favourite is now the classic American garden salad, which displays its main ingredients in vibrant, organised rows. Loosely constructed of salad greens, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, cheese and chicken breast – which can be cooked in a variety of different ways – we recommend tying it all together with a homemade dressing, which gets even better if you shake it out or let it sit in a jar.

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8. Grape & Apple Salad With Goat’s Cheese

Fresh grapes and apples lend a sweetness to this tart salad driven by goat’s cheese, alongside a handful of greens such as watercress sprigs and parsley leaves. The light and well-balanced salad finished with the crunch of walnuts makes a great accompaniment to any meal.

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9. Grilled Feta Strawberry & Herb Salad

A vibrant summer salad oozing with fresh and fruity flavours, packed with fresh seasonal produce such as strawberries, avocado, mint, coriander and more. It comes with an edge of grilled feta so it doesn’t leave your tummy rumbling.

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10. Heirloom Tomato Salad With Prosciutto

Heirloom and cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, cured prosciutto and sourdough bread come together nicely in this salad with fresh summery flavours.

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11. Chicken Skewers With Peach Caprese Salad

Tried our classic Caprese salad? Now, give its fruitier permutation a try, elevated with the tart and sweet flavours of peach, and paired heartily with a side of smoky chicken skewers.

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12. Lemon & Dill Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad is fast and easy to throw together and suits almost any occasion. Pick the best cucumbers and cherry tomatoes of the bunch to ensure a fresh and tasty salad, perfect with a finalising zing from refreshing lemon juice.

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13. Green Salad

A big fresh salad can help balance out your favourite meals from a creamy spaghetti, juicy grilled steak to a simple yet flavourful casserole. The crunch of fresh leafy greens is supported by a tasty soy and ginger-based dressing that ties everything together, making the salad worthy of being even a light meal on its own with a couple of cherry tomatoes or rice crackers.

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14. Balsamic Strawberry & Mint Salad

A lovely plate of this balsamic strawberry and mint salad would pair perfectly with any of your picnic favourites on a hot summer’s day. You’d also find that balsamic vinegar and mint make a divine combination with strawberries – a balance of sweet, tangy and absolute freshness.

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This article was originally published on May 7, 2024 and updated on Feb 15, 2025.