15+ Quick & Easy Salad Recipes for Busy Weeknights

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

They have Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and with Burger King’s Whopper Wednesdays—what if they had Salad Sundays and Salad Saturdays? Oh, I don’t think that sounds very appetizing, especially for a weekend meal, right?

Jokes aside, I really do love salads. They make me feel refreshed and energized, almost like I’m giving my body a little detox.

Some people think salads are only for when you’re trying to eat healthy or lose a little weight, but no—that’s not true! And whoever said salads are boring and tasteless clearly hasn’t tried a really good one. Salads can actually be incredibly delicious, depending on how you prepare them, and they can be healthy too—as long as you don’t drown them in heavy, creamy dressings. It’s all about finding that perfect balance.

One of my favorite salads is a combination of chickpeas, quinoa, and sliced grilled chicken breast. Add a delicious, creamy dressing made with wholesome ingredients, and it tastes absolutely amazing. It’s so heavenly that you almost forget you’re eating a salad!

Another type of salad I really enjoy is one tossed in a light vinaigrette, with leafy greens like arugula, baby spinach, and lettuce, mixed with strawberries, blueberries, and other fresh berries. Berries are packed with antioxidants, and pairing them with my favorite proteins—whether it’s beef strips, grilled chicken, or even salmon—makes everything taste even better. Especially when you drizzle some homemade honey Dijon mustard dressing on top. Oh boy, I’m always craving seconds!

As you can see, there are so many different salads you can make, and you can mix and match just about any leafy green, fruit, vegetable, or protein you love. Even if you’re vegan or [**vegetarian**](https://sweetmoneybee.com/weeknight-vegetarian-dinners/), you can skip the meat and load up on chickpeas, beans, or tofu. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how delicious it can be. If you’re vegetarian, you could even add boiled or fried eggs and mix in some kimchi for an extra kick of flavor. There are so many ways to get creative!

As you can probably tell, I’m already imagining all the delicious combinations you can put together. And that’s exactly why I decided to gather some of the most popular and tastiest salad recipes for you to try. You can follow the recipes exactly or mix and match ingredients to suit your taste. Feel free to tweak them based on your preferences or dietary restrictions.

My go-to proteins are usually salmon or grass-fed extra-lean beef, but that’s just me. If I’m feeling a little naughty, I’ll treat myself to some juicy steak or even a crispy, fish-and-chips-style topping for my salad. I know it sounds a little indulgent, but trust me, it’s pretty delicious!

And I’d love to know what you think! What types of salads do you enjoy? How do you prepare yours? Do you have a secret ingredient or a special homemade dressing that makes your salads taste extra amazing? I’m always curious to hear what other people love putting in theirs.

When I’m on the go and trying to avoid junk food, I’ll keep things simple with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and sometimes a little kimchi mixed in for extra flavor. But if I’m having a cheat day, you bet I’m going all out with a creamy Caesar salad! Or maybe something with a delicious lemon poppy seed dressing. It’s so creamy, tangy, and tasty that I could practically eat it by the spoonful.

Anyway, enough of my rambling about how much I love salads! Here are some of the best salad recipes you should definitely try.

Pin this Quick and Easy Salad Recipes image to Pinterest!