Salad recipes

This is one of my absolute favorite things to make at this time of year. It takes almost no time to prepare, so I’ll whip up a big batch on my day off and then all I have to do when I get home is put it in a bowl or mash it up and put it on toasted bread drizzled with some olive oil. It also makes a great appetizer along with some homemade or store-bought pita chips. Honestly, when serving this as a dip or a spread, I don’t even bother taking out my food processor, I just use the bottom of a glass and mash it a bit.

A very clean and fresh traditional middle-eastern salad.

Not only delicious, but it also helps you keep a good diet.

Fresh sweet cherries and quinoa are tossed with celery, creamy goat cheese, toasted almonds and tangy white wine vinaigrette.

A healthy Chickpea, Avocado, and Feta Salad that only takes 10 minutes to make. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack!

A protein-packed black bean and quinoa salad with corn, peppers, and jalapeno in a zesty lime-cumin dressing. Vegan, high-fiber, and make-ahead, with fluffy quinoa that never turns mushy.

Warm mushroom and mixed greens salad spoons sherry-glazed sauteed mushrooms over crisp greens, wilting them slightly under a warm lemon-thyme dressing. A light, bistro-style salad in about 25 minutes.

Israeli couscous and cucumber salad tosses toasted pearl couscous with crisp cucumber, tomato, lemon, and a handful of fresh parsley and mint. A bright, herby Mediterranean side that eats clean and refreshing.

Arugula (Rocket) or Baby Spinach tossed with a flavorful warm mushroom and onion dressing. A perfect balancing of fresh clean flavor with a warm woodsy note from the mushrooms.

A refreshing and tasty summer salad that uses fresh and seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers. It takes no time to make, and a great side dish that goes well with any main course.

Roasted beet and goat cheese salad: whole beets slow-roasted in foil until sweet and tender, sliced over mixed greens with creamy goat cheese and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing. Earthy, tangy, and light.

Mediterranean broccoli and cauliflower salad tosses quickly steamed florets with a lemon-oregano dressing, Kalamata olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. A bright, make-ahead side that holds in the fridge for days.

Honey roasted walnuts, dried cranberries and goat cheese are deliciously served with mixed greens, then tossed with a light mustard vinaigrette dressing. Yum!

Edamame, carrot, and avocado salad tossed in a bright orange-lime and ginger-sesame dressing with black sesame seeds and cilantro. A fresh, protein-rich vegan, gluten-free side.

Slightly sweet and sour. Ginger and garlic Asian dressing was super flavourful. The napa cabbage, carrots, and radishes gave the salad a nice crunch. Definitely will be making it again with my leftover turkey. I'm sure that it works great with chicken as well.

A simple salad with big health credentials: avocados are an excellent source of good fats, and more recently have been shown to also inhibit inflammation when eaten in combination with foods that typically trigger it. They are also a rich source of potassium (which balances sodium to keep blood pressure levels stable) and vitamin E, an important antioxidant.