Best 20 Best Salad Recipes

THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Rinse well with cold water until pasta is cold.
• Place cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing or serving bowl.
• Mix in broccoli florets, red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced olives and cheese.
• Whisk together all dressing ingredients and pour over pasta and other ingredients.
• Gently fold in dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
• Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

THE BEST EGG SALAD

Steps:

• Cover the eggs with at least 2 inches of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let sit for 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool completely.
• Mix together the mayonnaise, celery, onions, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Peel and roughly chop the eggs, add to the mayonnaise mixture and toss gently to combine. Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

WORLD'S BEST POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain. Cool, peel and dice. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with the onion, celery, 1 teaspoon of salt, and hard-cooked eggs.
• While the potatoes are cooking, whisk together 2 eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in the vinegar, milk, and mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the butter. Refrigerate until cool, then stir in the mayonnaise.
• Stir the dressing into the bowl of potato salad gently until evenly coated. Chill several hours or overnight before serving for best flavor.

THE BEST CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the croutons: Put the olive oil and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Carefully swirl the pan to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the oil mixture.
• Put the bread pieces on a baking sheet. Evenly pour the garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat. Spread the bread in a single layer and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the bread halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with black pepper and Parmesan. Set aside to cool.
• For the salad: Soak the anchovies in a small bowl of water for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, drain and pat dry. Finely chop the anchovies and garlic, then use the side of your knife to mash them to a paste.
• Add the anchovy paste, egg yolk, Dijon mustard and lemon juice to a large bowl and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan. If needed, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time to thin the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the lettuce and croutons to a large bowl and gently toss with the dressing until coated. Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.

THE BEST POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the eggs into a saucepan in a single layer and fill with water to cover the eggs by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water; cool the eggs under cold running water in the sink. Peel and chop the cooled eggs.
• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and refrigerate until cold. Peel and cube once cold.
• Stir together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, relish, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and celery seed in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs, potatoes, onion, pepperoncini, and olives; stir until evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

THE BEST CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend mayonnaise, egg substitute, Parmesan cheese, water, garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, sugar, parsley, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Transfer dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

BEST EVER TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop finely.
• In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, crabmeat, mayonnaise, sour cream and mustard. Stir in chopped egg, dill weed, lemon pepper, dill and sweet relish and chopped onion. Mix thoroughly.

THE BEST SWEET POTATO POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the cornichons or relish, mustard, honey, celery, lemon zest and juice and red onion. Season with salt and pepper and let sit while the potatoes cook.
• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Season the water generously with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander, put back in the saucepan, add the vinegar and, using a rubber spatula, toss gently to combine.
• Add the mayonnaise, chives and parsley to the celery-onion mixture and stir to combine. Add the warm potatoes to the dressing and toss. Season to taste. Garnish with extra chives and parsley.

THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.
• Toss together the chicken, celery, shallot, dill and parsley in a large bowl.
• Add the dressing to the chicken and mix gently until combined. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight to meld flavors. Garnish with chives.
• Put the parsley, thyme, onion, carrot, celery and chicken breasts in a medium saucepan. Cover with the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover and cool the chicken in the liquid for 30 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and reserve the liquid. Bone and skin the chicken and roughly chop the meat into about 1/2-inch pieces. Discard the bones and skin.
• Strain the broth and store, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze for later use. Remove any fat from the surface of the broth before using.

GREEK SALAD, THE BEST!

Steps:

• Blend olive oil, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper together in a food processor until smooth.
• Combine romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese together in large bowl. Drizzle dressing over vegetable mixture; toss to coat.

THE BEST RED CABBAGE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine sugar, onion, and celery salt in a large bowl. Let sit for 1 hour.
• Add cabbage to the marinade and stir to combine. Pour in vinegar and oil and mix well. Season with black pepper; top with blue cheese and almonds.

BEST CLASSIC POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a large pot and add water to cover by 2 inches. Add 3 teaspoons salt and eggs; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat and simmer 9 minutes. Remove eggs to an ice bath. Drain potatoes when fork-tender; they may need another minute or so.
• Peel and chop eggs and set aside.
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, onions, celery, dill, pickles, juice and pepper in a large bowl; stir to combine. Stir in potatoes and eggs until well blended, mashing potatoes very slightly. Check for seasoning and add up to 1 teaspoon salt if desired.
• Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with olives. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

THE BEST CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and basil leaves on a serving plate, alternating between them. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

BEST BROCCOLI SALAD EVER!

Steps:

• Whisk mayonnaise, cider vinegar, and sugar together in a small bowl until sugar dissolves and the dressing is smooth.
• Toss broccoli, grapes, walnuts, red onion, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and bacon bits together in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently fold so ingredients are evenly coated.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours. Stir before serving.

THE BEST AMERICAN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with cold water and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add the vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and let sit, covered, 10 minutes. Drain the eggs and cover with ice water to cool; peel, chop and set aside.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle brine, mustard and sugar in a small bowl. Stir in the pickles, celery, scallions and parsley. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Add the hard-boiled eggs and gently stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with paprika just before serving.

BEST RASPBERRY SALAD DRESSING (VINAIGRETTE)

Steps:

• Measure the dressing ingredients in a wide-mouth pint jar.
• Process with an immersion blender, which will emulsify (incorporate and thicken) the dressing all at once!

BEST-EVER CUCUMBER DILL SALAD

Steps:

• Place cucumber slices in a colander. Generously sprinkle salt over cucumber; let sit until water starts to bead on the slices, about 10 minutes. Drain water from cucumber slices.
• Whisk sour cream, vinegar, yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, sugar, and dill together in a large bowl until dressing is smooth. Mix cucumber, onion, and celery into dressing until evenly coated; season with salt and pepper.

BEST TACO SALAD!

Steps:

• Brown ground beef, drain grease, adding taco seasoning and following directions on package. Chill.
• When ground beef is cold, place in a large bowl and add all remaining ingredients.
• Mix well and serve.

BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Choose a heavy pot or Dutch oven with a tightfitting lid. It should be large enough to hold the chicken snugly, but not much bigger. Fill pot about 2/3 full with cold water, but don't put the chicken in yet. Boil some extra water in a teakettle.
• Add scallions and peppercorns to water, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and slip chicken pieces into the hot water. If needed, add boiling water from the kettle to cover chicken with water by 2 inches. Replace the lid and let chicken rest in the hot water for about 2 hours. Do not turn the flame back on: The pot will retain enough heat to cook chicken thoroughly and safely. (To test, cut into 1 piece of chicken and check the meat near the bone. If it is still pink, return the pot to low heat, bring the water to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes more.)
• Lift chicken out of the pot. Remove and discard bones, skin and fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then cut or shred into small bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. (Meanwhile, simmer cooking liquid until tasty, strain and refrigerate or freeze to use as chicken stock.)
• In a bowl, whisk together juice of 1/2 lemon, mayonnaise and sour cream. If using, whisk in mustard or brine. Taste and adjust the seasonings and thickness to your liking. Pour over chicken, scraping the bowl clean with a rubber spatula.
• Add celery, onion if using, nuts, herbs and salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

THE BEST MACARONI SALAD YOU WILL EVER HAVE!!

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool completely; drain.
• Mix macaroni, tuna, eggs, tomatoes, onion, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
• Whisk salad dressing and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth. Beat sugar, mustard, pepper, and salt into the dressing mixture; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.