If the best part of your day used to be your lunchtime salad run at the office, you’re probably missing that experience right about now. There’s really nothing better to break up your day than some fresh air and a salad made just for you. Fortunately, there are a number of easy homemade salad recipes you can make for a lunch that satisfies every tastebud.
Whether you’re looking for a new way to use seasonal vegetables, to create a healthier take on classic salad recipes, or to add a little more flavor into your greens, these homemade salad recipes won’t let you down.
Homemade salad recipes to make for a healthy lunch
1. Beet and squash salad
This homemade salad recipe contains seasonal produce that’s just waiting to be grabbed from the farmer’s market, including beets, squash, and tomatoes. And you can’t forget about the delicious lime vinaigrette.
2. Portable salad
According to herbalist Rachelle Robinett, this is nothing short of the perfect salad recipe. It contains kale, raw veggies (like bell peppers and mushrooms), baked veggies (like squash or sweet potatoes), and plenty of fun toppings (like olives, nuts, and seeds).
3. Vegan kale Caesar salad
Yep, making a Caesar salad the vegan way is totally possible—no anchovies needed. This dressing contains tahini, avocado oil, lemon juice, garlic, and some other flavorful ingredients. There’s even homemade croutons made from sprouted grain bread.
4. Anti-inflammatory salad
The dressing in this wholesome anti-inflammatory salad—which was created by the former White House chef to the Obamas!—only requires six ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, turmeric, mustard, ginger, and garlic.
5. Raw celery salad
This anti-inflammatory raw celery salad is a great way to switch things up. Instead of using a base of spinach or kale, celery is the star of the show and is combined with radishes, onion, sunflower seeds, plenty of herbs, and other ingredients.
6. Medicinal mushroom salad
This medicinal mushroom salad dressing made from ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar is perfect for a big salad loaded with raw veggies.
7. Vegan Mexican street corn salad
Make your own Mexican street corn, salad-style. This recipe uses cotija cheese made from cashews, lime, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.
8. Kale pasta salad
Okay, okay… this recipe may be slightly more pasta than salad, but there’s nothing wrong with that. In it, you combine lentil pasta with chopped kale and a handful of fresh ingredients for a truly delicious meal.
