If you still think salads are boring, the problem isn’t the salad itself… it’s how you’re making it. A good salad can be a complete, tasty and even surprising meal if you know how to combine the ingredients well.
In this article, you’ll find 10 fantastic salads that are easy to make, healthy and perfect for any occasion. From refreshing options featuring watermelon to more substantial recipes packed with protein and healthy fats.
Why watermelon is perfect for salads
Watermelon is one of the most underrated ingredients in cooking. Most people eat it on its own, but it has incredible potential in salads.
Why does it work so well?
- It adds freshness and juiciness
- Pairs well with savoury ingredients
- It is light and low in calories
- Improves hydration
What’s more, it goes perfectly with cheese, nuts, vegetables and even proteins such as chicken or ham.
If you want to make spectacular salads, incorporating watermelon is a game-changer.
10 spectacular salads (easy, healthy and refreshing recipes)
Here’s a selection of spectacular yet easy-to-make salads that you can whip up in no time.
Classic watermelon salad
The first of the 10 spectacular salads we’re going to show you is the simplest, but also the most refreshing and straightforward. The classic watermelon salad it’s the perfect everyday essential to keep you cool at any time of day or night.
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Lettuce
- Feta cheese
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Fresh basil
Preparation
Cut the watermelon into small pieces, wash and chop the lettuce, then add it to the bowl with the watermelon. Add the thinly sliced cucumber, the thinly sliced red onion and the crumbled feta cheese.
For the dressing, mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the dressing over the salad, toss it all together, and sprinkle some fresh basil leaves on top. And there you have it – your new recipe is ready to enjoy!
Watermelon and feta salad
This recipe for watermelon and feta salad is one of the most popular combinations and a firm favourite among cheese lovers. We’ll show you what you need and how to make it step by step, so you can impress everyone with this very special salad.
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Feta cheese
- Menta
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
Cut up the watermelon, crumble in the feta cheese, add the chopped red onion, dress with a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, and finally add the fresh mint leaves. Toss it all together and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Ready to serve!
It is the sweet-and-salty contrast in this feta cheese salad recipe that makes it so special.
Watermelon and avocado salad
Of the 10 spectacular salads we’re showing you today, the watermelon and avocado salad takes the prize for being the creamiest and most filling. It’s perfect when you’re hungry but don’t really feel like cooking or don’t have the time.
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
- Feta cheese (optional)
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
Cut up the watermelon and avocado, add the thinly sliced cucumber and onion; if you’re using feta cheese, crumble it and mix it in; sprinkle with chopped mint leaves; and make the dressing by mixing olive oil with lime juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Follow these simple steps to make a delicious watermelon and avocado salad with a creamy texture.
Watermelon salad with cucumber and lime
If you’re wondering whether there’s a particularly refreshing recipe, watermelon, cucumber and lime salad is your best bet, especially on those sweltering summer days. It’s also the perfect dish to make when you’re camping or out on a hike to cool down.
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Cucumber
- Lime juice
- Menta
Preparation
Slice the watermelon and cucumber, mix them together in a bowl, add lime juice and fresh mint as a dressing, and enjoy!
Watermelon and ham salad
The fifth recipe in this series of 10 spectacular salads is the watermelon and ham salad, which takes the prize for being the simplest, with just three ingredients, yet it’s still full of flavour.
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Serrano ham
- Olive oil
Preparation
Place the sliced watermelon on a plate and top with slices of ham. Drizzle with a little oil, and it’s ready to serve and enjoy – it’s absolutely delicious.
Caesar salad with crispy chicken
Crispy chicken Caesar salad is a classic that we all love, and we’ve decided to give it a modern twist. If you love Caesar salad and enjoy trying out new ideas, grab a pen and paper for this delicious recipe.
Ingredients
- Lettuce
- Crispy chicken
- Parmesan cheese
- Caesar dressing
Preparation
Chop the lettuce, cook the chicken and add everything to a bowl. Add the Parmesan and dress with Caesar dressing.
Burrata salad with tomatoes and pesto
If you want to blow everyone away, this is the most spectacular salad of the 10. The burrata salad with tomato and pesto is perfect when you’re looking for something a bit more gourmet.
Ingredients
- Tomato
- Burrata
- Pesto
- Olive oil
Preparation
Place the sliced tomatoes on a plate, top with burrata, and finish by drizzling with pesto and olive oil.
Quinoa-Salat mit Gemüse
Sometimes we’re looking for a meal that provides everything we need, and we come up with the perfect recipe. Quinoa salad with vegetables is a complete and balanced option thanks to the ingredients it contains.
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Vegetables (cucumber, tomato, carrot)
- Olive oil
- Lemon
Preparation
Vegetables (cucumber, tomato, carrot) Cook the quinoa and mix it with the chopped vegetables. Dress with oil and lemon juice and enjoy a balanced meal that will keep you feeling full.
Detox lentil and vegetable salad
If you’re the sort of person who eats and then feels hungry again straight away, so you end up eating again, this recipe might be just the thing for you. This detox salad with lentils and vegetables contains ingredients that make it ideal if you’re looking for something more filling.
Ingredients
- Lentils
- Assorted vegetables
- Olive oil
- Lemon
Preparation
Mix a jar of cooked lentils with chopped fresh vegetables and dress with oil and lemon juice. You won’t go hungry and you’ll feel completely full.
How to make truly spectacular salads
Here’s the key difference between a normal salad and a spectacular salad like the ones we’ve shown you:
- A mix of textures
- Crispy + creamy + juicy
- A good dressing
Bad seasoning ruins everything. As a tip, always use olive oil, lemon or vinegar and salt for the dressing.
These 10 spectacular salads aren’t just easy to make; they also help you eat better without any fuss. If you start paying attention to combinations, textures and dressings, any salad can become a dish you really look forward to.
And that’s the change: stop making salads out of a sense of duty and start making them because you enjoy them.