It’s our favorite time of year! May is National Salad Month, a time to celebrate (and appreciate) the vibrant array of fresh flavors and textures that salads can offer. From the crisp crunch of lettuce to the indulgence of creamy dressings, tangy vinaigrettes, and all your favorite toppings, salads are truly the most versatile culinary canvas.
Below, we’ll take a look at five of the most famous, most delicious, and most deservingly popular salads—each with its own unique story and charm. Let’s explore the origins, ingredients, and serving suggestions for these iconic salads.
Caesar Salad
Originating from Tijuana, Mexico in the 1920s, the Caesar salad has become a renowned staple in menus worldwide. Its simplicity and bold flavors make it a timeless classic, with plenty of room for variations (like our Bacon Caesar or Mexican-style Caesar Salad Kit). The traditional Caesar Salad features crisp romaine lettuce, garlic-seasoned croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy Caesar dressing made with anchovies, garlic, egg yolks, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, but a fully oil-based dressing is common as well.
How to Make a Caesar Salad
- Tear or chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and toss with the dressing until well-coated.
- Add croutons and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve on chilled plates for added freshness.
Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for a more complete meal, or serve it alongside a hearty bowl of tomato soup!
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Cobb Salad
Created in the 1930s at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, the Cobb Salad is a colorful medley of ingredients that offers a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. Typically, Cobb Salad includes this cornucopia of goodness: chopped lettuce, diced chicken breast, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Some variations may include ingredients like diced deli turkey and chipotle ranch dressing — whatever works for you!
How to Make a Cobb Salad
- Place your lettuce of choice on a large platter or individual plates as a foundation. We like using an Italian blend of romaine and radicchio or Butter lettuce.
- Arrange the toppings and other ingredients in rows for a visually striking presentation.
- Drizzle the salad with your favorite vinaigrette or a creamy blue cheese dressing.
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast to complement the richness of the salad.
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Iceberg Wedge Salad
The Iceberg Wedge Salad may be simple in concept, but its refreshing crunch and creamy dressing make it a beloved classic that’s still a staple in most steakhouses today. Developed sometime in the 1950s, this salad features a crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with creamy blue cheese dressing, crispy bacon bits, diced tomatoes, and chives. Swapping out the bacon for slices of beef tenderloin steak is a common substitute that makes the salad even more decadent and a great main course meal.
How to Make an Iceberg Wedge Salad
- Cut a head of iceberg lettuce into wedges and arrange them on chilled plates.
- Drizzle generously with creamy blue cheese dressing and sprinkle with crispy bacon bits and diced tomatoes.
- Garnish with chopped chives for a pop of color. Serve alongside a juicy steak or grilled salmon for a satisfying, steakhouse-worthy meal.
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Strawberry & Spinach Salad
Combining sweet strawberries with tender spinach leaves, this popular sweet & savory salad has a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Originating in the United States in the 1980s, this elegant salad typically includes fresh spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts (such as almonds or pecans), and crumbled feta or goat cheese, all dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s common to see poppyseed dressing or raspberry vinaigrette used in place of balsamic and shredded mozzarella in place of feta cheese. All of them are great!
How to Make a Strawberry & Spinach Salad
- Toss together fresh spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, and toasted nuts in a large bowl. Crumble feta cheese over the top and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Serve immediately to preserve the texture of the spinach leaves.
- Top with grilled chicken or grilled shrimp for a light and satisfying meal!
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Coleslaw
We couldn’t celebrate National Salad Month without talking about coleslaw, a longtime staple side dish in American cuisine, is a crunchy and tangy salad typically made from shredded cabbage and carrots dressed with a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. Its origins can be traced back to the Dutch, who brought cabbage to the New World all the way back in the 17th century.
In the Southern United States, coleslaw often features a sweeter dressing with sugar or honey alongside grated onions or chopped bell peppers. Northern-style versions tend to be more acidic, using vinegar and mustard, sometimes with celery seeds for texture. Modern variations expand beyond cabbage and carrots, incorporating more veggies like broccoli slaw, kohlrabi, or Brussels sprouts.
How to Make Classic Coleslaw
- Shred cabbage and carrots and toss them together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, and celery seeds to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve chilled as a side dish with barbecue ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, or fried chicken.
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Bonus: Pasta Salad!
Hey, it’s National Salad Month, so why not get a little generous with it? After all, pasta salad is technically a salad, at least in name, so it clearly passes the vibe check. This favorite American dish can be customized with any number of ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Typically served cold and made with cooked pasta, vegetables, meats, and a tangy dressing, pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser at picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.
How to Make Pasta Salad
- Cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions and let it cool completely.
- Toss the cooked pasta with diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, cucumbers, green onion, and grape tomatoes), cubed cheese, sliced olives, and cooked meats (such as grilled chicken or salami).
- Dress the salad with your favorite vinaigrette, creamy dressing, or mayo, and chill for at least another hour before serving. (Italian and Caesar dressings are both popular choices!)
- Serve alongside grilled burgers or sandwiches for a full meal.
More Ideas & Inspiration:
Whether you’re craving the classic simplicity of a Caesar Salad or the vibrant flavors of a Strawberry & Spinach Salad, there’s a salad for every palate and occasion. As we celebrate National Salad Month, let’s embrace the endless possibilities of salad-making and savor each bite of these iconic dishes. Happy celebrating!