Good Living Guide

Salads

The Very Best Salad Recipes

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We’ve combed through thousands of salad recipes in order to bring you the very best of the bunch. Included are a wide variety of salads ranging from colorful fruit salads to healthy green salads to hearty chicken and pasta salads. Whatever your taste buds are longing for at the moment, there is sure to be a salad that will satisfy your craving!

Salad Recipes

Classic Egg Salad from Num’s The Word

Classic Egg Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad from Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen

Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad from Easy Peasy Pleasy

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad from Cafe Delites

Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad

Chicken, Cranberry, Pecan Salad Wraps from Yummiest Food

Chicken Cranberry Pecan Salad Wraps

Crunchy Asian Kale Salad from Good Living Guide

crunchy asian kale salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad

Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad from Cafe Delites

Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

Cauliflower Potato Salad from Buns In My Oven

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Layered Mexican Salad from Tastes of Lizzy T

Layered Mexican Salad

White Bean and Farro Salad from Good Living Guide

white bean and farro salad

Layered Taco Salad from ChinDeep

Layered Taco Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad from Spend With Pennies

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad from The Slow Roasted Italian

Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad from Good Living Guide

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

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This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad is loaded with crunch and full of healthy ingredients. The delicious, creamy dressing blends the sweet and tangy flavors together. It’s a perfect salad to make ahead of time and great for potlucks, picnics and parties!

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

What Makes This Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad Special?

One thing I absolutely LOVE about this salad is that it can last for multiple days without getting soggy. I would even argue that the flavor is enhanced as it marinates in the refrigerator for a few days.

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

I also love the versatility of this salad. Depending on your preferences and/or diet restrictions, you can easily modify the recipe to make it healthier or a little more decadent. For example, you can add crumbled bacon, use maple syrup instead of sugar, or substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

About This Apple Broccoli Salad

In my opinion, this salad is the best way to enjoy raw broccoli. The sweetness of the apples and sugar go a long way in balancing out the natural bitterness of the broccoli.

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

This is my all-time favorite lettuce-free salad. I just love the burst of flavor with each crunchy bite. And best of all, this recipe is super easy to make and full of vitamins and nutrients.

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad
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Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients

Instructions

Broccoli Preparation

  1. With a paring knife, cut the Broccoli crown (that's the fluffy looking bright green part on top) away from the stem. Set stem aside.
  2. Pull the crown florets apart, and then cut the small florets away from the small stems that are holding them, and you should end up with bite size florets.
  3. Take the large stem you set aside, and cut both ends off and discard.
  4. Slice the remaining stem into bite size pieces, and put all the Broccoli, stems and floret pieces, in a colander, and thoroughly wash under cold running water until clean. Let drain in colander.

Salad Instructions

  1. In a medium stock pot filled 3/4 full of hot water, bring the water to a boil, adding a little olive oil or butter and a pinch of salt to the water.

  2. Break the fettuccine into 2 inch pieces. Place in boiling water.

  3. Turn the heat to low and cook for 6 minutes, or until pasta is al dente (done, but still a little firm).

  4. When fully cooked, transfer fettuccine to a dish with a slotted spoon or pasta strainer.

  5. Place broccoli in the same water used to cook the fettuccine. Bring the water to a boil, turn down the heat to low, and cook for two minutes.  

  6. Drain broccoli in the colander, and set aside to cool.  

  7. While the fettuccine and broccoli are cooling, wash and peel the carrots. Either grate them with a grater or shred them in the food processor.

  8. Wash and slice the celery. Peel and chop the red and green onions. 

  9. Place the cooled, drained broccoli and the fettuccine in a serving dish. Add the carrot, celery, and red and green onion. Place dish in the refrigerator.

Dressing Instructions

  1. In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk all together until well blended and then place in the refrigerator.

  2. Wash and chop the apple and then add to the salad.

  3. Immediately pour the dressing over the salad. Add the raisins and then toss all ingredients together to coat the pasta and vegetables with the dressing.

  4. Place the salad back in the refrigerator.

  5. OPTIONAL: Cook the bacon and drain on paper towels. When bacon has cooled, and right before serving the salad, crumble the bacon over the top of the salad.

  6. Serve as a side dish, on a buffet, or as a starter in place of lettuce salad. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If possible, add ingredients in the order the recipe states.  Make sure you add the apple last and pour the dressing immediately on the salad (the dressing contains lemon juice which helps to keep the apple from turning brown).  All apples turn brown after cutting or chopping, but lemon juice will help to retain the natural apple color.

Honeycrisp Apple Broccoli Salad

We thought you might enjoy these other delicious recipes as well:

Crunchy Asian Kale Salad

White Bean and Farro Salad

Lavender Lemonade Recipe

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

 

Crunchy Asian Kale Salad

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If you love chopped, crunchy salads with lots of fresh veggies and a wonderful dressing, this Asian Kale Salad is sure to please even the pickiest of appetites.  You can have it ready in a short time. Just add your favorite toppings and you’ve got a great healthy meal that is satisfying, flavorful and delicious!

crunchy asian kale salad

Why We Love Kale

Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables in the world. This superfood is low in calories, high in fiber, and loaded with an assortment of minerals and phytonutrients. Among the many health benefits it provides are detoxification, heart support and cancer prevention.

How To Give Kale A Softer Texture

Although many people love the crunchy toughness of raw kale, many others prefer their kale to be softened before eating. This can easily be accomplished by “massaging” the kale with a little lemon juice and a pinch of salt. The key is to rub the leaves with your fingers right up to the point where they begin to wilt. Not only will this process tenderize the kale, but it will also reduce the bitter taste of the leaves.

Crunchy Asian Kale Salad

In addition to what the recipe calls for, you can also top your asian kale salad with crumbled bacon, chopped rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, chopped steak, chopped egg, chopped peanuts or pecans, crunchy noodles or any of your other favorite toppings.

crunchy asian kale salad

crunchy asian kale salad
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Crunchy Asian Kale Salad

If you love chopped crunchy salads with lots of fresh veggies, and a wonderful dressing, this is sure to please even the pickiest of appetites.  

Course Salad
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Dressing

Instructions

  1. Wash and chop all the vegetables, then dry on kitchen towels to ensure that water has been removed.

  2. Place all chopped vegetables in a large bowl, then place bowl in refrigerator.

  3. In a blender, add the coconut milk, almond butter, lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and a little salt and pepper. Blend until thoroughly mixed. 

  4. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.  

  5. Serve immediately.  

Recipe Notes

OPTIONAL:  You can also top the salad with crumbled bacon, chopped rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, chopped steak, chopped egg, chopped peanuts or pecans, crunchy noodles or your favorite toppings.

crunchy asian kale salad

White Bean and Farro Salad

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats

White Bean and Farro Salad

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This healthy White Bean and Farro Salad is packed with flavor and hearty enough for a main course. What makes it special is Farro, my new favorite grain! It’s a delicious and chewy whole grain with a mild nutty flavor. It has more protein and fiber than wheat and is especially rich in magnesium and B vitamins. I love it so much that I have been using it as a replacement over rice and pasta.

White Bean and Farro Salad

This quick and easy salad recipe has only six ingredients. The ease of preparation is sure to make your hectic day a little less stressful.

white bean and farro salad

You will want to follow the instructions that come with the specific Farro you purchase. Most directions will say to add Farro and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Then you will want to reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer anywhere from 25-40 minutes. The Farro should be tender and all of the liquid should be absorbed.

Although it’s not necessary, you can speed up the cooking time of Farro by soaking it beforehand. Simply add enough cold water to submerge the grain completely, put a lid on it, and then refrigerate for 8-24 hours.

White Bean and Farrow Salad

Four pantry ingredients is all it takes to make the easiest Red Wine Vinaigrette ever. This classic vinaigrette recipe is super versatile, only takes a few minutes to whisk together, and always tastes delicious! To save time, I prepare it while the Farro is cooking.

White Bean and Farro Salad

Now it’s time to add the Farro, white beans, kale, feta cheese, dried cranberries, and pepitas in a large mixing bowl.

White Bean and Farro Salad

Toss until mixed, pour the vinaigrette over the salad, toss again and then enjoy this fantastic White Bean and Farro Salad!

White Bean and Farro Salad

White Bean and Farrow Salad
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White Bean and Farro Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

This healthy White Bean and Farro Salad is packed with flavor and hearty enough for a main course. What makes it special is Farro, a delicious and chewy whole grain with a mild nutty flavor. 

Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup uncooked Farro
  • 1 can white beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup kale torn small by hand
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pepitas
  • 4 ounces feta crumbled

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare 1 cup Farro as directed in the package.

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  2. While Farro is cooking, prepare dressing. 

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  3. Add all dressing ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined and refrigerate.

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  4. When Farro is done, rinse with cold water until cool.

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  5. In a large mixing bowl, add Farro, beans, kale, feta*, cranberries, and pepitas. 

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  6. Toss until mixed.

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

  7. Pour dressing over salad, toss again and serve.

    White Bean and Farrow Salad

Recipe Notes

*If making the night before, leave out feta until right before serving.

white bean and farro salad

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Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

Instant Pot Carne Asada Street Tacos

Sheet Pan Jambalaya

The Very Best Soup Recipes