It’s a combination that goes back over a century: salads and healthy eating. Most healthy diets incorporate salads regularly, and most salads are part of a healthy diet.
And in case you’re among the many people who make the mistake of thinking salads get boring, think again. Salads are delicious year-round, as long as you are open to trying a bit of creativity!
We rounded up eight of our favorite salad recipes — two for every season — to showcase that a bit of culinary flair is all it takes to keep them from getting boring (and you enjoying them!) year-round.
Winter
Serves: 4
Calories: ~350
Root vegetables and wheat berries are very wintery. This Wheat Berry Salad delights the taste buds by pairing the savory taste of roasted squash and shallots with the tart, nutty flavors of wheat berries atop a base of kale. Top it with some dried cranberries, walnuts, pecorino cheese, and apple cider vinaigrette for a winter-themed essence that will wow your taste buds every time.
Get the recipe at Love and Lemons.
Serves: 4-6
If ever there’s a time when a salad is appealing, it’s after the holiday indulgence. That’s why this Ultimate Winter Salad recipe is perfect. It leverages the creamy flavor of butternut squash mixed with Brussels sprouts and kale for a taste bud-blowing feeling that you won’t soon forget. It’s fresh, colorful, and packed with seasonal flavor.
Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.
Spring
Serves: 6
Calories: ~320
Think of springtime, and you undoubtedly think of colors — flowers blooming, green trees, birds chirping. Bringing that vision (and those feelings) into a salad means taking advantage of the bright colors that remind us winter’s cold days are behind us. Enter this Strawberry Spinach Salad, made with fresh spinach, crunchy onions, soft feta cheese, and, of course, juicy strawberries. A creamy poppyseed dressing ties everything together for a delicious explosion of spring right in your mouth.
Get the recipe at The Recipe Critic.
Serves: 4
Calories: ~250
You’ll love this one if you’re even remotely a fan of crunch in your salad. Its base is naturally crunchy, bright green romaine lettuce topped off with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs — with creamy Green Goddess dressing to bring it all together. You can lighten up the dressing by swapping the sour cream for Greek yogurt while enjoying the complimenting flavors of radish and shallots. You’ll love it!
Get the recipe at A Couple Cooks.
Summer
Serves: 4
Calories: ~75
Nearly every summer barbecue includes a light salad dish — and you can be the star of your next one with this simple Cucumber Radish Salad recipe. Its cool cucumber base, crisp radishes, and tangy lemon dressing are perfect for hot summer days or alongside a hearty burger or bratwurst at the neighborhood cookout.
Get the recipe at Downshiftology.
Serves: 8
Calories: ~330
Sometimes, you need a little carbs in a salad. If you’re a pasta lover but don’t want to go overboard, you’ll love this light Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad recipe. It’s a fun, colorful medley of crispy vegetables atop a bed of bow-tie pasta and tossed in an easy-to-make vinaigrette dressing. You can serve it at a neighborhood potluck, bring it camping, or enjoy it as a side on a warm summer evening. ›
Get the recipe at Budget Bytes.
Fall
Serves: 4
Calories: ~160
If ever there was a recipe that screamed autumn, it’s this Sweet Potato Salad. It’s a crisp combination of roasted sweet potatoes, arugula, and feta cheese with a bright, tangy tahini dressing that brings it all together. Assemble it in a large bowl and top it with avocado slices and a spritz of lemon for a showoff dish people will be lining up to try out.
Get the recipe at Love and Lemons.
Serves: 6
Calories: ~490
Want to pack all the fall flavors into one salad? You’ve come to the right place with this Fall Harvest Salad recipe. It’s got everything — apples, figs, pomegranate, kale, goat cheese, and pecans. Mix it all and top it with a delicious homemade harvest dressing, and you’ve got a seriously scrumptious autumn salad perfect for crisp evening dinner enjoyment.
Get the recipe at Foolproof Living.
Whether you’re looking for savory or sweet, crisp or tangy, you can find a seasonal salad to keep your diet light, fresh, and on track year-round.
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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager
Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.