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7 Unique Twists on a Side Salad

June 5, 2016 by Jennifer 11 Comments

Are you always the one that ends up bringing a side salad to the bbq? Or are your parties lacking in the fruit and veggie department because you have a hard time thinking of something new? I have 7 unique solutions that are easy to throw together at the last minute, and are interesting flavor combinations that you wouldn’t necessarily think of, but work really well together.

All of these salads below use a basic spring mix as the base, but if the goal is to use what’s already in your fridge… then by all means substitute romaine, iceberg, spinach, and even arugula. In fact some of these you could cut out the greenery all together and be just fine.

1) GRAPE AND MUSHROOM – This is not a flavor combination I would have thought would be so tasty. I’m not a huge fan of raw mushrooms, and never really put grapes in my salads (no thank you, Waldorf). But pair this with Brianna’s Real French Vinaigrette, which most grocery stores carry and is nothing like what you normally think of “French” dressing, and people will be going back for more!

Red Grape and Slice Mushroom Salad

2) LEMONY PROSCIUTTO, PARMESAN – This one’s simple and rustic. We always keep shaved parm in the fridge, and often have prosciutto. You could really dress this with anything and it would be delicious. Give it a little squirt of lemon right at the end to brighten it up.

Prosciutto Parmesan Salad with a Squeeze of Lemon

3) PINEAPPLE AVOCADO – When I called my mom before heading over to a party and asked her for a super quick but unique salad idea, and she told me to just put together pineapple, avocado, sprinkle of sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, I was extremely hesitant. I bought the ingredients on the way to the party, threw it together in 5 minutes, and it was the hit of the party. You don’t even need dressing, just the sea salt and olive oil will do the trick.

Pineapple Avocado Salad

4) THAI PEANUT – These are definitely ingredients we almost always have around: Carrots, peanuts, cilantro, and lime. Trader Joe’s has this amazing Asian Peanut Dressing in their produce section, but most stores have some sort of Thai, or Peanut, or Asian dressing option these days. You can either toss it all together, or let guests dress it themselves.

Thai Peanut Salad

5) PEAR & GORGONZOLA – Such a classic flavor combination. Pair it with a champagne vinaigrette (Trader Joe’s has a great one), and you have insta-elegant.

Pear Gorgonzola Salad

6) NICOISE – Ok, so this one’s got a little more going on. But I often try to plan my Dinner Menus around having leftover potatoes and green beans when I know I want to serve this one. The basis is tuna (canned is great, salmon is also a nice twist), blanched green beans (I’ve also used asparagus in it’s place), cooked (and chilled) potatoes, hard boiled egg, olives (technically nicoise olives, but I use any black whether it be canned sliced or kalamata), and tomatoes. This one below also has red onion and feta. Use the same Brianna’s French Vinaigrette, and it’s like an explosion of flavor.

Tuna Nicoise Salad

7) WATERMELON, FETA, MINT – This one is quickly becoming my favorite go-to summer salad. The combination of  the sweet watermelon with the salty feta, paired with some chopped fresh mint, it’s like summer on a plate. Drizzle it with a balsamic glaze (store bought) or some balsamic vinegar, and a little bit of olive oil, and voila… you have a yummy, super simple salad.

Watermelon, Mint, Feta Salad

And there you go, 7 reasons to start volunteering to bring the salad to the party. What’s your favorite flavor combination for a salad?

Seven Unique Twists on a Side Salad

 

Related

Filed Under: Food & Drink, Party Food, Recipes Tagged With: avocado, feta, gorgonzola, grape, lemon, mint, mushroom, peanut, pear, pineapple, side salads, simple, thai, watermelon

Previous Post: « Shrimp and Pineapple (Cheater) Ceviche
Next Post: Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Two »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jana says

    June 5, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    These look yummy...and simple!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 7, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      They really are, Jana!
      Reply
  2. Lynette says

    June 7, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Pineapple Avocado??? Brilliant! We love avocado at our house and this sounds so refreshing for summer.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 7, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      That one might be my fave Lynette, it's really good together!
      Reply
      • Jana says

        June 7, 2016 at 8:57 pm

        Delicious--had it last night!!
        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          June 9, 2016 at 9:41 am

          Which one, Jana?
          Reply
  3. Andrea@WellnessNotes says

    June 26, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Great flavor combos! I'll have to try mushrooms & grapes! I love all the flavors in a salad nicoise and anything and everything with avocado.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 26, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      Thanks Andrea, they all go so well together!
      Reply
  4. Danielle says

    July 19, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I'm actually the one who avoids the salad at the bbq, but if that lemon prosciutto salad was at my cook out, I think I'd take some. Ok, all of it! Nice round up of salads!!!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      July 21, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      Haha, I know it can sometimes be sketchy! Thanks:)
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Two says:
    June 5, 2016 at 12:58 pm
    […] 7 Unique Twists on a Side Salad […]
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