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15 Non-Traditional Salads

January 21, 2021 by Lindsay 22 Comments

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Salads don’t always have to be just a bowl full of lettuce! Check out this roundup of 15 non-traditional salads for some fun ways to up your veggie intake! 

Non-Traditional Salads that are not boring

Hi Friends!

Time for another delicious roundup! Let’s talk non-traditional salads. When most people hear the word salad, they typically think of regular old lettuce, topped with a few veggies and some dressing. My husband eats a bowl of green leaf lettuce topped with broccoli and cucumbers for lunch pretty much every single day. That’s all well and good…but for me personally, I’m not really crazy about regular lettuce. GASP! I know. Luckily though, the word “salad” has evolved and expanded its meaning and there are all sorts of interesting combinations that can now be considered salad!

If a bowl of leafy greens doesn’t necessarily get you excited either, have no fear! I’ve rounded up some non-traditional salad ideas for you. They’re still healthy, quick and easy and they’re all great options for adding more veggies to your meals!

Non-Traditional Salads

collage of non-traditional salads

Chickpea Salad with Tomato and Cucumber via Wholesome Made Easy. No lettuce needed, just chopped veggies and chickpeas in a simple dressing.

Broccoli Slaw with Ramen via The Lean Green Bean. Broccoli slaw adds crunch and ramen noodles add a fun twist.

Kale and Red Cabbage Slaw via Kalyn’s Kitchen. Eat this slaw by itself, top with a lean protein or add to tacos!

Rainbow Quinoa Salad via Peas and Crayons. Grain-based salads are a great option for side dishes and meals.

Shaved Winter Vegetable Salad via The View From Great Island. Sometimes presentation makes all the difference!

Asparagus Salad with Eggs and Prosciutto via Liz’s Healthy Table. Simple yet elegant, this salad can impress a crowd.

Bok Choy Salad with Sesame Soy Dressing via Running To The Kitchen. A great way to gain exposure to veggies you may not eat frequently.

six non-traditional salads

 

Salmon Nicoise Salad via The Lean Green Bean. A fun twist on a classic nicoise salad.

Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad via Two Healthy Kitchens. If you haven’t found a way you love eating brussels sprouts yet, try this!

Romaine Hearts Grilled Chicken Caesar via Eating Richly. An easy way to feed a crowd with tons of flavor and visual appeal.

Grilled Vegetable Salad via Kylee Cooks. Salads aren’t just for raw veggies. Try grilling them first!

Thai Kohlrabi Noodle Salad via Running To The Kitchen. Spiralized vegetables make a great addition to salads.

Pulled Pork Apple Salad via The Creative Bite. A salad can never have too many toppings 🙂

 

Salads don't always have to be just a bowl full of lettuce! Check out this roundup of 15 non-traditional salads for some fun ways to up your veggie intake! 

See any you like?

Let’s chat:

Are you a fan of non-traditional salads? What’s your favorite?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Appetizer, Round-Ups, Side Dish, Soup & Salad

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    May 9, 2014 at 2:23 AM

    I love salads which have lots and lots of different fruits/vegetables in…The more the better. I like to keep things interesting! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Polly @ Tasty Food Project says

    May 9, 2014 at 2:30 AM

    That spicy Thai carrots and kale salad sounds good! I love spicy food!

    Reply
  3. jill conyers says

    May 9, 2014 at 6:53 AM

    I’m a big fan of salads especially non-traditional. I don’t have a specific favorite but I lean toward salads that include roasted sweet potatoes, cabbage and legumes of any kind.

    Reply
  4. Laura @ Raise Your Garden says

    May 9, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    Haha, I’m with your husband. I love boring salads! Gimme plain lettuce with plain veggies and a little chicken and I’m happy. For a walk on the wild side, I might add a few nuts or fruit even.

    And salad dressing! Forgot it! I think it’s all vile, won’t touch it with a ten foot pole.

    But maybe we eat salads all summer so I don’t really have to “cook” I can let my husband grill the chicken and let him feel all manly while I “prepare” the salads, like get out the bagged salad and throw it in a bowl =) And he’s out there grilling thinking I’m working so hard!

    Reply
  5. Jojo @ RunFastEatLots says

    May 9, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    I like non-traditional salads as long as they aren’t drowning in mayo/oil. Sometimes they are and the flavors are overwhelming. That purple potato salad looks good!

    Reply
  6. GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says

    May 9, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I feel like such a fraud sometimes because I generally have to force myself to eat lettuce haha
    The white salad pizza and the purple potato salad look…interesting lol but I think I’ll start with the spicy Thai carrot & kale salad.
    Thanks for sharing Lindsay!

    Reply
  7. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says

    May 9, 2014 at 8:32 AM

    Some really great ideas!! Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    May 9, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    I love non traditional salads! I love any salad that’s packed with way more than just lettuce 🙂 🙂 the more goodies in the salad the better it is!

    Reply
  9. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    May 9, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    I love regular salads but I also love non-traditional salads! They make salad so much more fun!

    Reply
  10. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    May 9, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    I love non-traditional salads! I find them to be much more satisfying than a regular side because I like to put more things in them!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      May 22, 2014 at 7:04 PM

      exactly! me too!

      Reply
  11. Handmade by Lorna says

    May 9, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    Salads are yummmy – I like mine with some seeds and walnuts in for a little crunch.

    Reply
  12. Kierston says

    May 9, 2014 at 2:23 PM

    I simply love throwing all of my fave ingredients into one big bowl 🙂

    Reply
  13. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    May 9, 2014 at 8:04 PM

    I like endive salad!

    Reply
  14. Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says

    May 9, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    My go-to salads usually include chickpeas and mixed greens. I’m not a huge fan of romaine, so I like getting the bags/packs of mixed greens or spring mix 🙂 These are great ideas for future salads!

    Reply
  15. Patty @ Reach Your Peak says

    May 9, 2014 at 10:39 PM

    I am in a salad rut so I definitely need to bookmark this. I have a salad daily for lunch which is probably why I’m in a rut…I just am not feeling salads right now! Thanks for the list!

    Reply
  16. Jorge Gonzales says

    May 12, 2014 at 3:21 AM

    I love all salads. Especially I like green salad 🙂

    Reply

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lindsay livingston, Registered Dietitian from Columbus, OH, owner of the lean green bean

Hi, I’m Lindsay! I’m a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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