30 Sumptuous Salads

Pecans, feta cheese, a Red Delicious apple and zesty vinaigrette combine for a memorable salad. "This recipe comes to us courtesy of the Junior League of Chicago. It is from their cookbook, Celebrate Chicago! A Taste of Our Town," says Patty Erd, co-owner the Spice House in Chicago.

Spiced Pecan Apple Salad

The recipe for this simple side salad of yellow tomatoes, tangy cheese, walnuts and greens with Dijon vinaigrette comes from a Des Plaines, Illinois, restaurant.

Winter Pear Salad

Italian Rice Salad includes fragrant, nutty-tasting brown basmati rice, bell peppers in a variety of colors, red onions and plenty of garlic. "It's kind of soft, kind of crunchy, a little sweet and a little tangy," says Ohio cooking school expert Bev Schaffer, who gave us the recipe.

Italian Rice Salad

A refreshing ginger vinaigrette seasons this salad with Asian-style ingredients. The uncooked noodles soften some while chilling, but still add crunch.

Savory Cabbage Salad

Studded with dried cherries and almonds, this hearty fall salad pairs well with roast pork or even barbecue. Boiled cider and lemon juice add a touch of pucker that keeps the salad from tasting too sweet. You can make your own boiled cider or buy it online or in specialty stores (or substitute regular apple cider).

Apple and Couscous-Bulgur Salad

Five root vegetables pack this side salad; fresh beets unite them all with a rosy tint. Tarragon vinaigrette adds sweet-sour flavor.

Harvest Root Vegetable Salad

The traditional ham and pea salad gets an update with wild rice and a dried tomato vinaigrette.

New Ham and Rice Salad

A sweet-tangy pear chutney crowns warm duck and cool greens in a recipe from a Cincinnati restaurant. The finishing touch: warm bacon vinaigrette.

Bistro Duck Salad

Sweet squash and apple pair with sharp Gorgonzola and tangy dressing in this autumn salad from Black Star Farm in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The dressing calls for verjus, a tart pressed grape juice. You can order verjust online or find it as specialty stores, but wine vinegar makes a good substitute.

Butternut Squash and Apple Salad

Sliced apples, roasted cashews and dried fruit combine with mango chutney, spinach leaves and curry for an exotic, fresh-tasting salad. The recipe comes from the New Albany (Ohio) Cooking with Friends community cookbook.

Cranberry Cashew Salad

Roasting intensifies the flavor of roma tomatoes for this herb-splashed salad. Mushrooms, grapes and walnuts round out the flavors.

Herbed Winter Salad

The sweet tang of this rosy dressing pairs nicely with nuts, cheese, avocado or grilled chicken breast in a mixed green salad. A full 2 cups of strawberries boost the dressing's vitamin C and fiber; the olive oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that fights inflammation and protects against heart disease.

Berry-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Juicy grapes and crunchy broccoli blend sweet flavors with savory, salty bacon. The side-dish salad recipe comes from the Triangle Ranch B&B in South Dakota.

Broccoli Grape Salad

Toss red and green cabbage, chopped apple and green onions with a ginger-spiced dressing for a crunchy salad. Sesame oil and rice vinegar add Asian flavor.

Asian Coleslaw

This beauty of a salad blends tangy Gorgonzola and balsamic dressing with sweet roasted fruit.

Roasted Pear and Clementine Salad