10 Tasty Salad Recipes for Every Occasion

With the arrival of warmer weather, or simply to eat fresher and lighter, salads are a must. Versatile, quick to prepare, economical and above all delicious, they can accompany your dishes or stand out as main courses. This article suggests 10 must-try salad recipesFrom the most classic to the most original, to satisfy every taste and every occasion: picnics, quick lunches, barbecues with friends or family dinners.

1. Couscous salad (Tabbouleh revisited)

Couscous salad, also known as tabbouleh, is a fresh, fragrant Mediterranean-inspired dish. Perfect in summer, it keeps well in the fridge and even gains in flavor over time.

Ingredients

• 1 cup medium couscous
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cucumber, finely diced
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• 1 bunch parsley, chopped
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Pour boiling water over couscous, cover and leave to swell for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
2. Add vegetables and herbs.
3. Add lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Season to taste, mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

A fresh, textured and well-balanced salad, perfect for grilled meat or as a light main course.

2. Cucumber Salad

Simple, crunchy and refreshing, cucumber salad is a timeless classic that only takes a few minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and dill.
2. Add the cucumbers and onion.
3. Stir in cream or yogurt if desired.
4. Chill for 15 minutes before serving.

An ultra-simple salad that's always appreciated for its fresh, tangy taste.

3. Salade d'Amour (Warm beet, cheese and walnut salad)

This colorful, gourmet salad blends sweetness, crunchiness and creaminess for an explosion of flavors. It's called "love salad" for the effect it creates. wow guaranteed!

Ingredients

• 3 cooked and sliced beets
• 100 g crumbled goat or feta cheese
• 1 handful walnuts or pecans
• Arugula or baby greens
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Arrange the salad leaves on a plate.
2. Add warm beet slices, cheese and walnuts.
3. Drizzle with oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper.

An elegant and romantic salad, perfect for a chic starter or dinner for two.

4. Macaroni salad

Comfortable, creamy and nourishing, macaroni salad is a favorite at barbecues and potlucks.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked macaroni
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped sweet pickles
• Salt, pepper and paprika

Steps

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Adjust seasoning.
3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

A retro, comforting salad that appeals to everyone, especially children!

5. Potato salad

Another timeless classic, potato salad is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats.

Ingredients

• 6 yellow potatoes, cooked and chopped
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• ¼ cup pickles or relish
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• Salt, pepper, parsley

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Creamy and filling, this salad is a sure bet for any summer meal.

6. Greek salad

Native to the Mediterranean, Greek salad is a feast of fresh vegetables, salty feta and savory olives.

Ingredients

• 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 1 cucumber, cut into half-circles
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• Kalamata black olives
• 150 g feta cheese, cubed
• Oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar
• One tablespoon Lemon

Steps

1. Mix all the vegetables in a bowl.
2. Add the feta cubes.
3. Season with oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.

A trip to Greece with every bite: simple, healthy and tasty.

7. Coleslaw salad

Crunchy, slightly sweet and perfect with BBQ dishes, coleslaw is a classic side dish.

Ingredients

• ½ green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, grated
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Homemade coleslaw always beats store-bought: balanced and crunchy to perfection.

8. Pasta Salad

Endlessly versatile, pasta salad is a summer lunch staple.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked short pasta
• Cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers
• Diced mozzarella or pearls
• 3 tbsp. pesto or vinaigrette
• Fresh basil

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Refrigerate before serving to allow flavours to develop.

A complete, colorful and tasty dish that will please the whole family.

9. Orzo salad

Orzo, a small rice-shaped pasta, makes an elegant and original salad.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked orzo
• Fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives
• Crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Steps

1. Combine ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Season to taste.

Perfect for a buffet or a light meal, this orzo salad is a gem of simplicity.

10. Fruit salad

Light, sweet and full of vitamins, fruit salad is ideal to round off a meal or as a snack.

Ingredients

• Strawberries, grapes, apples, melon, kiwi...
• Orange juice
• Fresh mint

Steps

1. Cut all the fruit into pieces.
2. Drizzle with orange juice.
3. Mix gently and add the mint.

A fresh, natural dessert enjoyed by young and old alike!

Conclusion

Whether to accompany a meal, feed a table of guests or simply indulge yourself with fresh ingredients, these 10 salad recipes have something for everyone. From the classic coleslaw to the elegant orzo salad, from the timeless potato salad to the light fruit salad, there's something for everyone. Feel free to personalize these recipes according to your preferences and above all, have fun creating your own combinations!