29 Salad Recipes You Can Serve Warm

A fresh, crisp salad is always a fitting choice on a warm summer day, making the perfect nutritious lunch or light dinner. Being fuss-free to whip up and super versatile, salads offer endless options for customization, and while cool, crunchy veggies often form the base of these healthy creations, serving them chilled isn't the only way forward. Another delicious way to enjoy a wholesome salad is by incorporating some baked, roasted, or sauteed ingredients. The resulting dish can then be served warm, which makes for a far more comforting eating experience. 

These cozy salad recipes are the perfect solution when you're craving something nourishing during the fall or winter seasons. There's something ultra-satisfying about tucking into a warm bowlful, and the cooking process often helps to deepen the flavors of veggies, fruits, and proteins too. If you're adding cheese, you'll achieve a richer, meltier result, and warm toasted nuts serve as the ultimate crunchy topper. So, if you're looking to expand your salad repertoire, you're in the right place. Here are some of our top recipes, that we assure you will taste amazing served warm.

Butternut squash is a fall favorite, and in this comforting salad recipe, it's oven-roasted to maximize its natural earthy sweetness. The baked squash is served on a bed of leafy baby kale and paired with crunchy candied pumpkin seeds, creamy crumbled goat cheese, and vibrant pomegranate seeds, which creates a beautifully balanced medley of colors and textures. And, the tangy honey Dijon vinaigrette ties all of the flavors together perfectly.

Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

This hearty salad is loaded with goodness, and the addition of quinoa makes it feel satisfying enough to serve as a standalone meal. It features a mixture of roasted red bell pepper, mushrooms, chickpeas, onion, and garlic cloves. These get tossed with the cooked quinoa and a flavor-packed homemade pesto made with fresh basil, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. What's more, this dish is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly, so it's a great one to serve to guests if you're catering to multiple dietary requirements.

Recipe: Roasted Veggie Pesto Quinoa Salad

There's something oh so pleasing about the vibrant magenta hue of roasted beets, and here, they add the most wonderful pops of color to the leafy kale base. Crumbled feta adds creaminess, while candied walnuts offer a sweet, crunchy contrast to the tender veggies. For the dressing, we keep things classic with a simple red wine vinaigrette, enhanced with the aromatic goodness of finely diced shallots.

Recipe: Kale and Roasted Beet Salad with Feta

A wedge salad is traditionally made with crisp iceberg lettuce, but in this fall-inspired version, the dish gets a satisfying upgrade, with roasted acorn squash also thrown into the mix. The squash is cut into wedges, roasted until tender, and topped with a medley of wholesome ingredients, including cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and feta cheese. We also ditch the usual creamy dressing and opt for a tangier blend with balsamic, lemon, mustard, and garlic.

Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Wedge Salad

This salad certainly brings the cozy vibes and makes for a wonderfully well-rounded bowlful. Tender, flaky, honey-mustard glazed salmon is the protein source of choice here, and the fish's rich, savory flavor is an incredible match for the spiced butternut squash and sweet roasted pear dressing. There's plenty of green goodness here too, with kale and sliced Brussels sprouts forming the base of the salad.

Recipe: Salmon And Squash Salad With Roasted Pear Dressing

Earthy-sweet rainbow chard pairs brilliantly with salty, smoky bacon in this simple yet flavor-packed warm salad. The chard leaves are even sauteed in the leftover bacon grease, which really amps up the savory flavor, and toasted chunks of bread make the dish that bit more filling. For a vibrant finish, we also incorporate diced grapefruit and those beautiful multi-colored rainbow chard stems, which are marinated in a splash of sherry vinegar for a fresh finish.

Recipe: Warm Rainbow Chard And Bacon Salad

If you haven't tried the combo of sweet potato and tuna, you're missing out. This duo delivers just the right balance of saltiness and sweetness, and together, they create a satisfying textural contrast. In this hearty salad, the sweet potato chunks are roasted to caramelized perfection and tossed with mixed greens, avocado, red onion, pecans, and cranberries, as well as the flaked canned tuna and an irresistible maple mustard dressing.

Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato & Tuna Salad

Sweet, fragrant pear and rich, nutty manchego are an undeniably dreamy pairing. And in this elegant salad, that all-important sweet-savory balance is most definitely achieved. To make the pear slices deliciously tender and golden, they're oven-baked before being added to the lettuce base, along with crunchy toasted hazelnuts and sweet, chewy dried cranberries. For pops of creamy saltiness throughout, the manchego is thinly shaved and scattered on top before serving.

Recipe: Roasted Pear And Manchego Salad

Warm salads don't necessarily have to mean more hassle, and this nutritious roasted eggplant and lentil number will be ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes. Just toss the diced eggplant with oil and seasonings, bake it until tender, and combine it with the remaining ingredients. That's peppery arugula, cooked lentils, grape tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and a simple lemon, garlic, and mustard dressing.

Recipe: Roasted Eggplant And Lentil Salad

It doesn't get much more wholesome than these warm lentil veggie bowls. Roasting the cherry tomatoes and red onion with a whole garlic bulb creates a dish with another level of aromatic sweetness, with the garlic's flavor beautifully mellowed and the tomatoes made even juicier. Bell peppers add color and crunch, and arugula brings a welcomed sharpness. Try serving it up with a hunk of crusty bread.

Recipe: Roasted Garlic Tomato Lentil Bowls

Bursting with brightness and loaded with delightfully caramelized roasted vegetables, this panzanella-style salad is fresh yet filling, with a conveniently hands-off approach required to make it. Here, the oven does most of the work, and the lightly charred sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are then mixed with the soaked and toasted chunks of crusty French bread, plus some leafy spring greens and a simple vinaigrette.

Recipe: Fall-Forward Sweet Potato Panzanella Salad

This striking salad is sure to be a standout, and it's great for impressing dinner party guests. The roasted purple cauliflower florets have a gorgeous sweet and nutty flavor profile, enhanced with zesty za'atar, which is both incorporated into the salad dressing and used to coat the cauliflower itself. Crafted with crunchy apples and almonds, creamy avocado, and juicy pomegranate seeds, the final dish is as much of a feast for the eyes as it is for your stomach.

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Purple Cauliflower Salad

Grains, veggies, and herbs are a trio that, quite simply, just works, and this recipe packs in a fantastically diverse selection of these goodies. The grain element consists of farro and wheat berries, and fresh parsley and basil add heaps of herbaceous brightness. As for the tender roasted veg, we have a tricolor of bell peppers, with red onion, asparagus, and artichokes. Try topping the salad off with some extra protein, such as grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu.

Recipe: Spring Vegetable And Herb Grain Salad

Perfectly seared steak and miso-dressed soba noodles meet crisp toasted bread in this Asian-Italian fusion dish. Taking inspiration from rustic panzanella salads and umami-rich noodle stir fries, this recipe can be whipped up in just 30 minutes and makes an excellent midweek meal. Or, try preparing it in a larger batch and serving it up at a summer barbecue. It tastes especially great garnished with fresh basil leaves and a scattering of sesame seeds.

Recipe: Panzanella-Style Beef And Noodles Summer Salad

If you're after a more carb-forward recipe, this comforting baked potato salad is a must-try. First, we bake skin-on russet potatoes, roughly chop them up, and mix them with a creamy Greek yogurt and mayo-based dressing. And, since this salad is all about rich, savory flavors, it's completed with the addition of smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions. Think of it as a deconstructed baked potato that you can enjoy by the spoonful!

Recipe: Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Baby spinach leaves become all the more satisfying when gently wilted to tender perfection. And, they pair brilliantly with earthy sauteed mushrooms and shallots in this wholesome 15-minute recipe. Dressed with tangy balsamic vinegar and topped with buttery pine nuts, this dish feels delightfully sophisticated, despite being incredibly easy to make. Try pairing it with roasted meats, fish, or grains to create a well-rounded dinner spread.

Recipe: Healthy Wilted Spinach Salad

Who says Caprese salad should be served chilled? In fact, we'd argue it's far more flavorful in this juicier, heartier, roasted format. To make it, start by tossing mixed mini tomatoes with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Then, pop everything in the oven to bake for 30 minutes. To plate up, it's a simple case of transferring the tender tomatoes to a serving bowl, spooning over some of the cooking juices, and topping everything with torn mozzarella and basil leaves.

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

Wondering what to do with those leftover Brussels sprouts? We highly recommend using them to level up your baked salad game. Roast them with some diced sweet potato, and watch how they become beautifully caramelized. In this recipe, the natural sweetness of the veggies is enhanced with the salty tang of feta cheese, the nutty crunch of almonds, and a zingy lemon-mustard dressing. This one makes the perfect addition to any autumnal spread.

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad

Two vegetables that are often overlooked as additions to the roasting tray are mushrooms and asparagus. Cooked this way, they pack plenty of depth flavor-wise, and take on a moreish soft texture too, which makes them even better suited for incorporating into a warm salad. Here, we pair them with cooked farro, walnuts, and feta, and dress everything with a classic balsamic vinaigrette to keep things light and fresh.

Recipe: Roasted Mushroom Salad

Beets are an amazingly versatile veggie, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is roasted and tossed into a leafy salad. Just peel and chop the beets, coat them in a splash of oil, and oven-bake them until tender. Then, they're ready for combining with a base of mixed greens and a moreish honey-mustard vinaigrette, with walnuts and crumbled goat cheese making everything even more tempting.

Recipe: Savory Roasted Beet Salad

Combining earthy butternut squash, sweet apples, and vibrant kale, this salad couldn't get any more fall-appropriate. And of course, serving it warm is a must for the ultimate cozy vibes. Thanks to the addition of nutty farro, it's wonderfully filling too. We love how dried cranberries introduce pops of chewy sweetness, and toasted pumpkin seeds give this wholesome medley a crunchier finish.

Recipe: Hearty Fall Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash

For a dish with a spicy twist and a fun presentation, give this charred Creole salad a try. The base is a layer of charred romaine lettuce, which boasts a deliciously smoky-sweet taste while maintaining that all-important crunch. On top, there's a mixture of sauteed shrimp, tomatoes, parsley, red onion, and shaved Parmesan, all enhanced with a fiery Creole seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce-spiked dressing.

Recipe: Spicy Charred Creole Salad

This recipe deviates pretty drastically from your typical bowl of leafy greens, but yes, we're still classifying it as a salad! It's a German-style medley of red and white potatoes, crispy pan-fried bacon, and a punchy horseradish dressing, and it's as delightfully comforting as it looks. This salad is ideal for serving as part of a wider dinner spread, perhaps with some extra roasted veggies or barbecued meats.

Recipe: German Potato Salad

Butternut squash has popped up again and again in this warm salad lineup, and for good reason. It's natural sweetness complements the creamy feta and sweet-tart pomegranate seeds exceptionally well in this vibrant, spinach and kale-based salad. And, to tie all of those amazing flavors and textures together, there's of course a zesty dressing, made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard.

Recipe: Squash Pomegranate Salad

Gorgeously creamy yet completely vegan-friendly, this nutrient-packed warm salad sees chunks of roasted sweet potato combined with spiced chickpeas that have been pan-fried to crispy perfection. There's also diced red onion, fresh parsley, and a lemony tahini-garlic dressing. You can serve this salad as is, atop a bed of greens, or even stuffed inside a warm pita bread. We love to top it with a scattering of sunflower seeds.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Salad

Salads don't have to mean skimping on protein, and this bacon and egg-loaded delight would make an incredible post-workout brunch. It's super easy to whip up, with the bacon first chopped and fried in a skillet. Then, you'll use some of that rich, salty bacon fat to mix up a quick mustard vinaigrette. Combine the meat with spinach leaves, halved hard-boiled eggs, and blue cheese crumbles before pouring over that mouth-watering dressing, and you've got a fantastically comforting take on your everyday greens bowl.

Recipe: Warm Spinach Salad

There's a lot going on in this epic medley of meats and veggies, but all the add-ins have been carefully selected to complement each other in the best possible way. You'll find a whole host of colors and textures on this platter, and some standout elements include smoky bacon, shredded rotisserie chicken, charred corn and bell peppers, and crispy focaccia croutons. There's even a homemade raspberry dressing, which adds the most incredible element of tang and sweetness to the salad. 

Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Salad With Hot Bacon And Raspberry Dressing

This easy recipe takes a basic potato salad and transforms it into something a whole lot more herbaceous, thanks to the addition of fresh parsley, dill, and chives. Red potatoes are the variety of choice here, and they add plenty of visual appeal. Once boiled, the potatoes are dressed with a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper, before the herbs, scallions, and diced red onion are thrown in.

Recipe: Herbed Potato Salad

For a warm and vibrant twist on a wedge salad, try grilling romaine lettuce quarters until charred, and topping them with a salsa-like mixture of grilled corn and diced grape tomatoes. We add parsley, cilantro, and green onions into the mix too, which work to brighten things up beautifully. And of course, there's a trusty vinaigrette, this time enhanced with punchy lemon zest and fragrant shallots.

Recipe: Grilled Romaine And Corn Salad With Herby Mustard Dressing

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