The Salad Issue
For everyone who thinks they don't like salads.
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My name is “KaleJunkie” so salads are kind of my thing. I know it sounds obvious, but I actually really love salads. I don’t eat salads to fit in my greens or because I’m “supposed” to eat them. I eat them because I crave them.
I love them so much we’ve crossed into double digits when it comes to the different variations of crispy salads I’ve created now. And no, I won’t be stopping anytime soon.
What I’ve learned over the years of creating salad recipes is that the ones people really want to eat have a few things in common: something crunchy or crispy, a dressing that’s good enough to pour straight into your mouth, and enough going on that it feels like a real meal.
Here are some of my favorite salads in one place—several of the crispy rice salads that have collectively hit over 100 million views, the copycat restaurant salads I make at home to avoid a $25 price tag, and a few others that have been on rotation for years.
Whether you’re looking for a meal prep lunch or a salad that can hold its own at the dinner table, save this one.
A good pair of tongs. For flipping, tossing, and assembling without making a mess.
A mini blender. This is non-negotiable for me. Every dressing on this list comes together in a blender. Whisking in a bowl works, but blending gets you that creamy, emulsified texture that makes a dressing actually cling to the salad.
A good baking sheet (plus parchment paper). The crispy rice requires this. A sheet pan that heats evenly and a sheet of parchment so nothing sticks.
A salad spinner. A quick spin and everything stays crisp and coated.
A mandoline or sharp knife. For the cucumber salads especially. Thin, even slices mean the dressing soaks into every bite.
Meal prep containers. Most of these salads hold up great in the fridge for days — as long as you store the dressing separately. Having good airtight containers is a must.
You can shop all of my kitchen favorites over on my Amazon Storefront — I keep it updated with exactly what I’m actually using.
If crispy, crunchy salads are calling your name, then look no further than the crispiest, crunchiest salad that your taste buds will love! This is my Crispy Rice Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing, and it’s made from a combination of crunchy cucumbers, perfectly crispy rice, and a thick and creamy lemon tahini dressing that ties it all together. It’s perfect as-is for a satisfying lunch, or add your favorite protein to it for the ultimate dinner!
Growing up, my dad made homemade chicken shawarma all the time. It’s one of those recipes that’s so tied to memory and comfort for me, and this salad is my love letter to those flavors. Turmeric-and-cumin-spiced chicken thighs, Persian cucumbers, baby tomatoes, crispy seasoned rice, and a lemon-tahini dressing that ties it all together.
Number ten in the crispy rice series, and honestly maybe my favorite yet. This Beef Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad has ground beef cooked with the full shawarma spice blend piled on top of crispy rice and fresh salad greens, with a creamy yogurt-tahini dressing that I have been putting on everything since I developed it. If you’ve been following the series, this is the one to make next.
For the nights when you want something that feels a little more elevated. Skirt steak is one of my favorite cuts — it cooks fast, it’s tender, and it absorbs flavor perfectly. In this Crispy Rice Steak Salad with Thai-Inspired Dressing, it sits on top of crunchy cucumbers, fresh herbs, salted peanuts, and crispy chili-sesame rice, all finished with a tangy Thai-inspired dressing with sriracha and lime.
I will be direct with you: this is my favorite salad recipe in the entire world. I cried when I nailed it. The Hillstone Macho Salad is the reason I will drive into San Francisco, but this copycat version is the reason I don’t have to. Romaine, grilled chicken, crispy cornbread croutons, avocado, black beans, corn, and a dressing that is life-changing.
The other Hillstone salad—the Emerald Kale Salad—that I refuse to pay $25 for when I can make it at home. Dino kale and green cabbage massaged into submission, tossed with an abundance of fresh herbs — cilantro, mint, green onions — salted peanuts instead of croutons, and a tangy homemade dressing. It’s herbaceous and bright and so satisfying.
This one is from my cookbook, Love to Eat, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a crazy good Italian chopped salad that comes together in ten minutes. Salami, chickpeas, kalamata olives, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, parmesan, and a creamy dressing that coats every single ingredient. Reader reviews have called it one of the best salads they’ve ever made, and I take that very seriously.
If you’re looking for a salad that’s packed with crunch, protein, and the most irresistible creamy lemon dressing, then you are going to love this Crunchy Pasta Tuna Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing. It has crispy, seasoned pasta chips tossed with flaky tuna, crunchy cucumbers, briny dill pickles, red onion, and fresh dill—all coated in a tangy, creamy lemon yogurt dressing that is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything. It’s a fun, unexpected twist on your classic tuna salad.
This bright and vibrant Summer Citrus Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette is filled with oranges, grapefruit, and a blend of three crisp lettuces for the ultimate summertime salad. It’s a copycat of a recipe from the popular Los Angeles health food store, Erewhon, and is perfect for cooling down on those warm summer days!
The best meal-prep salad on this entire list—my Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette. Broccoli and cabbage don’t get soggy — they actually get better as they sit in the dressing. Add cashews, bacon, freshly grated parmigiano reggiano, and a honey dijon dressing and you have a salad that holds up in the fridge for days and gets better with time. I prep this on Sundays and eat it all week.
The crispy rice salad’s Mediterranean cousin. Crispy baked quinoa instead of rice, served on a base of sliced Persian cucumbers with chickpeas, feta, green olives, fresh mint and dill, pistachios, and a creamy tahini balsamic dressing. This Crispy Quinoa Cucumber Chickpea Salad is light, bright, and the perfect lunch salad that doesn’t require any extra protein to feel complete. If you loved the crispy rice salads, this is the next evolution.
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