The salad is an old standby. From the pasta salad you might bring to a cookout to the creamy potato salad you mix up for game day, this trusty course comes in many forms.

But are you tired of tossing the same salads together over and over again? Do your kids groan when you set a boring bowl of leaves and dressing in front of them? Maybe it’s time to give some more unique salads a try!

What makes a salad a salad? To us, the specifics don’t really matter: we know a salad when we see it! From grain salads to fruit salads, summer salad to ceviche, these recipes combine ingredients and flavors from all over the world to create unforgettable dishes. Don’t serve the same old Caesar tonight – mix up your meal with these unique salads.

Plum and Blackberry Grain Salad

The first of our unique salads is a spectacular blend of flavors. Ripe, juicy plums, crunchy almonds, and sweet blackberries lie on a bed of mixed greens and quinoa and are sprinkled with goat cheese and drizzled with a red wine vinaigrette. This salad has it all, from sweet fruit to savory toppings and crunchy textures.

Get the recipe for Plum and Blackberry Grain Salad here!

Apple Pecan Salad

A perfect salad combines great flavors, textures, and colors, and this Apple Pecan Salad checks all the boxes. Gala and Granny Smith apples are combined with baby greens, tomatoes, cabbage, pecans, and blue cheese and drizzled with a Lemon Garlic dressing.

Get the recipe for Apple Pecan Salad here!

Tropical Avocado Ceviche Salad

Ceviche is a kind of seafood salad popular in South America centered around citrus-marinated raw fish. With a slightly firmer texture that’s perfect for chopping, tropical avocados make this salad a delight! This deliciously dippable dish works as a snack, an app, a side, or an entree.

Get the recipe for Tropical Avocado Ceviche Salad here!

Thai Steak Noodle Salad with Tropical Avocado

Looking for something a little beefier than your average salad? Our second Tropical Avocado salad is just what you need! Crunchy, raw vegetables are paired with satisfying noodles and fresh flavors in a tangy Thai-inspired sauce. Tropical avocados and mangos balance tangy flavor with nutty and sweet notes.

Get the recipe for Thai Steak Noodle Salad with Tropical Avocado here!

Thai-Lime Edamame & Rice Noodle Salad

Thai cuisine is delicious and varied, offering plenty of inspiration for unique dishes. Featuring slurpable rice noodles and flavorful edamame, this salad works as a starter or side but it can also take the spotlight with the addition of some chicken or fish.

Get the recipe for Thai-Lime Edamame & Rice Noodle Salad here!

Greek Salad Kabobs

Salad on a stick? You bet! This recipe allows you to ditch the utensils, but you can also make it the traditional way in a bowl. Crunchy cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, and red onions are tied together with the flavors of olives, tomatoes, and robust feta cheese for a salad that’s both classic and unique.

Get the recipe for Greek Salad Kabobs here!

Strawberry Salad Kabobs

Continuing the salad on the stick theme, Strawberry Salad Kabobs are another utensil-free must-try salad! They combine ripe strawberries, creamy avocado, and crunchy spinach on a skewer. Dip them in poppy seed dressing and enjoy!

Get the recipe for Strawberry Salad Kabobs here!

Chinese Chicken and Celery Salad

Our partners at Dandy® put this salad together and we think it’s the perfect weeknight salad to break you out of your usual dinner routine. Celery mixes with mandarin oranges, red cabbage, crispy chow mein noodles, wonton crisps, radish coins, cilantro, and shredded chicken breast.

Get the recipe for Chinese Chicken and Celery Salad here!

Elote Salad (aka Mexican Street Corn Salad)

Elote, or Mexican Street Corn, is a tasty, beloved treat. We’ve put a new twist on it by turning it into a salad! Traditional Elote is tossed with jalapeño, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, smoked paprika, and chili powder then served over a bed of lettuce. Start your next taco night with this spicy salad!

Get the recipe for Elote Salad or Mexican Street Corn Salad here!

Crunchy Envy™ Apple Salad

Similar to the classic Waldorf salad, this light, airy apple salad is held together with Greek yogurt rather than mayo for a lighter flavor. In this recipe we serve it sandwich-style in a croissant, but you can also prepare and serve it traditionally for a crispy, fruity side.

Get the recipe for Crunchy Envy Apple Salad here!

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

Looking for a salad that’s fresh and juicy? This is it! Sweet and juicy watermelon mixes with cool, crispy cucumber and is topped with fresh mint and feta cheese. Freshly squeezed lime juice is used in lieu of salad dressing for the ultimate summer salad.

Get the recipe for Watermelon and Cucumber Salad here!

Savory Bosc Salad with Bacon and Toasted Walnuts

Decadent and indulgent might not be the first words that comes to mind when you think “salad” but this one sure is! Bosc pears are cooked in bacon fat and served with toasted pecans, balsamic glaze, fresh thyme, and shaved parmesan cheese.

Get the recipe for Savory Bosc Salad with Bacon and Toasted Walnuts here!

Warm Blueberry and Snow Pea Salad

This unique salad combination is built around fresh, juicy blueberries. Crispy snow peas and crunchy walnuts give it texture, while shaved Parmesan cheese and vinaigrette tie all the flavors together. Serve it as a snack or a sweet-and-savory side!

Get the recipe for Warm Blueberry and Snow Pea Salad here!

French Bean Refrigerator Salad

This versatile salad uses both yellow and green French beans. It also includes chickpeas, which add texture and extra protein. Onion, basil, and balsamic vinegar round out this salad’s garden-fresh flavor. It’s perfect for mixing and matching with other ingredients. And because it stores well in your refrigerator, it’s great for meal prepping, too.

Get the recipe for French Bean Refrigerator Salad here!

Rainbow Cauliflower Salad

Our partners at Salad Savoy whipped up another chilled salad we think you’ll love: Rainbow Cauliflower Salad! This dish will add color to any meal thanks to its brilliant multicolor cauliflower florets. With tomatoes, olives, sweet onion, and Italian dressing, this one of the easiest unique salads to put together in a hurry.

Get the recipe for Rainbow Cauliflower Salad here!

Burrata Cheese and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Elegant Burrata cheese is the perfect complement to this mix of Brussels sprouts, radish slices, pepitas, onion jam, vinaigrette, and toasted baguette slices. The textures and flavors are restaurant-quality, yet this salad requires minimal ingredients and takes only a few minutes to assemble. It’s quite filling and can be served as lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe for Burrata Cheese and Brussels Sprouts Salad here!

Pummelo, Jicama, and Radish Salad with Pummelo Dressing

Bring some new produce to your kitchen with Pummelo, Jicama, and Radish Salad. It’s as delicious as it looks! Citrusy sweet and with a zesty zing thanks to the radish slices, this salad is chock full of flavors. The dressing is made using pummelo juice for an extra splash of citrus goodness.

Get the recipe for Pummelo, Jicama, and Radish Salad with Pummelo Dressing here!

Breakfast Salad

Salad for breakfast? Why not! This one combines diced tropical avocado drizzled with olive oil and salt, scrambled eggs, and bacon. It’s sprinkled with a bit of cheddar cheese on top. Sriracha acts as the salad dressing. It’s a delicious way to start the day.

Get the recipe for Breakfast Salad here!

MandaRosa Salad

We put this salad together with the incredibly sweet MandaRosa in mind, but it will work with other Mandarin oranges as well. Along with delicious citrus, this flavorful salad boasts toasted coconut, red onion, dates, mint, goat cheese, and our own vinaigrette, all mixed in the gentle flavors of arugula.

Get the recipe for MandaRosa Salad here!

Rainbow Summer Salad with White Mushrooms

Our Rainbow Summer Salad is a visual treat for the eyes – and it’s delicious, too. White mushrooms simultaneously retain their mild, earthy flavor while also taking on the flavors around them. They pair perfectly with the assortment of fresh produce in this salad, from sweet blueberries to tangy red onion slices.

Get the recipe for Rainbow Summer Salad with White Mushrooms here!

Hazelnut Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad is a summertime staple. This fruit salad recipe includes all the essentials… melon, kiwi, berries, and grapes. But it also includes jicama, a round root vegetable that is crunchy, juicy, and sweet, and buttery hazelnuts.

Get the recipe for Hazelnut Fruit Salad here!

Which of these unique salads did you and your family like the most? Do you have a favorite entree to cook with it? Lettuce know in the comments! Or snap a photo of your zesty salad and share it with us on Instagram @theproducemoms.

For even more unique salads, browse our salad recipe archives or check out our salad Pinterest board.