Quick Salads

Quick salads are a real lifesaver in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They don’t require complex ingredients or lengthy prep, yet remain flavorful, nutritious, and varied. These dishes can be assembled in just a few minutes using accessible ingredients – fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, hard cheese, canned corn, or fish. Most quick salads don’t require cooking, which helps preserve the maximum amount of nutrients. They are an excellent option for breakfast, a work snack, or a light dinner. Our collection includes recipes that combine simplicity with appealing presentation and balanced taste.

Quick Salad Recipes

In the quick salad category, you’ll find a variety of options – from classic vegetable salads to light, protein-rich ones, from fresh summer combinations to heartier options for the colder season. The recipes require no complicated preparation: all you need are basic fridge staples and 5-15 minutes of free time. Many salads are made without dressing or with simple sauces based on sour cream, oil, or yogurt. Some versions can be served warm, others right after mixing. These dishes are ideal for anyone who wants to grab a quick bite without compromising on taste or quality.

Salad with Korean carrot, chicken fillet, eggs, and corn with mayonnaise

Korean Carrot Salad

Korean carrot salad is a piquant dish with a rich flavor that successfully combines chicken meat, spicy carrot, tender eggs, and juicy corn. I often prepare this salad for both holidays and family meals – it’s easy to make, yet has a bright, memorable taste. If you're looking for a protein-packed appetizer with Asian notes, this dish is the perfect choice.

Salad made with canned cod liver, boiled eggs, potatoes, and onions

Cod Liver Salad

Cod liver salad is a delicate, nutritious, and refined dish that combines a marine delicacy with simple homemade ingredients. Canned cod liver gives the salad a rich flavor, while eggs, potatoes, and onions create a balanced texture. This salad is suitable both for a regular lunch and a festive table – it impresses with its tenderness and health benefits. It’s a combination of subtle taste, healthy fats, and humble homemade presentation.

Hearty salad made with canned beans, croutons, hard cheese, and garlic with a mayonnaise dressing

Bean and Crouton Salad

Bean and crouton salad is a nutritious appetizer with a bold flavor that is quick to prepare and requires no cooking. Thanks to the combination of protein-rich beans, hard cheese, garlic, and crispy croutons, it has a tender texture with contrasting elements. This salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a buffet. It's a dish for those who value speed, simplicity, and heartiness without compromising on taste.

Salad with hard cheese, fresh herbs, eggs, and mayonnaise

Cheese and Herb Salad

Cheese and herb salad is a light, protein-rich dish with a fresh herbal aroma and delicate texture. Thanks to the combination of grated cheese, eggs, and a mayonnaise-based dressing, it is quite filling, while the fresh herbs make it especially appetizing. This salad works perfectly in tartlets, on toast, or as a standalone appetizer. It’s a simple, hearty, and always relevant option for a homemade cold dish.

Salad with feta cheese, fresh tomatoes, herbs, and an oil-based dressing

Salad with Feta and Tomatoes

Salad with feta and tomatoes is a light, fresh, yet nourishing dish that fits perfectly into a summer menu. Juicy tomatoes and salty feta cheese create a well-balanced combination, complemented by olive oil and herbs. This salad is quick to prepare, requires no cooking, and tastes great when served chilled. It’s a versatile dish for a light lunch, a buffet table, or a Mediterranean-style dinner.

Salad with boiled eggs, hard cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise

Egg and Cheese Salad

Egg and cheese salad is one of the simplest and most satisfying snack options. It’s made from accessible ingredients in just a few minutes, tastes both delicate and piquant, and is perfect for everyday meals or festive occasions. Serve it on bread, in tartlets, or small bowls – and it will instantly become a favorite on your table. This is a versatile appetizer suitable for a quick snack, a holiday buffet, or a light breakfast.

Salad made from white cabbage, fresh cucumbers, herbs, and a light oil-based dressing

Cabbage and Cucumber Salad

Cabbage and cucumber salad is my favorite version of a quick and refreshing salad that goes with everything: fried fish, stewed potatoes, meat casserole, or even as a light dinner on its own. Thanks to the minimal amount of simple ingredients and a light dressing, it doesn’t burden the body, refreshes perfectly, and provides real health benefits. This juicy, crunchy, and versatile salad fits any lunch or dinner.

A salad of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage and herbs with an oil-based dressing

Fresh Vegetable Salad

Fresh vegetable salad is a simple and extremely healthy dish that perfectly complements any meal. I often prepare it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, especially in summer when vegetables are tasty, juicy and readily available. It goes well with meat, fish, grains or even just bread, and is easily digested thanks to the natural oil-based dressing.

Salad with boiled squid, eggs, onion, and mayonnaise

Squid Salad

Squid salad is a refined, delicate, and at the same time easy-to-make option for those who enjoy seafood. Just a few ingredients – squid, eggs, onion, and mayonnaise – create a well-balanced combination of flavors that is especially suitable for summer or festive occasions. I make it both for a romantic dinner and when I want a light, protein-rich meal without excess carbs.

Crab Stick Salad

Crab stick salad is a tried-and-tested recipe for a festive dish made with accessible ingredients. Crab sticks, eggs, rice, and corn create a tender texture and harmonious taste, while the mayonnaise dressing makes the salad juicy. It's a versatile dish for the New Year's table, home celebrations, or an everyday lunch. Easy to make, enjoyed by all, and it stays fresh even the next day.

Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is the perfect dish for those looking for a tasty, nutritious, and quick lunch or dinner option. This recipe combines the tenderness of boiled eggs, the juiciness of fresh cucumber, the sweetness of corn, and the rich flavor of tuna. This salad is not only easy to prepare but also ideal for home meals, diet menus, and festive tables. It’s convenient to take with you to work, serve in lavash, dessert bowls, or as a standalone appetizer. Best of all – no extra effort: just a few simple ingredients and a delicious result is guaranteed.

Chicken and Avocado Salad

Chicken and avocado salad is the perfect choice for those who appreciate light, balanced, yet flavorful meals. The combination of avocado, fresh cucumber, eggs, and boiled chicken breast creates a harmony of textures and tastes, while the olive oil dressing adds a natural shine. This salad is great for lunch or dinner, and can also be served at a buffet, as a side dish to the main course, or as a standalone appetizer. It’s also a favorite among those who follow a healthy diet or simply enjoy fresh and natural food.

Vegetable-Based Quick Salads: Freshness and Lightness

Vegetables are the best foundation for quick salads. They don’t need long prep, are easy to slice, require no cooking, and retain maximum vitamins. Salads with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, radishes, fresh herbs, or cabbage are not only light but also versatile. These combinations are perfect for breakfast or a light dinner. Olive oil, lemon juice, or a simple yogurt-based dressing are often added to vegetables – everything is ready in just a few minutes. Quick vegetable salads pair well with other ingredients: from cheese to boiled eggs. One of the easiest and tastiest options is a salad with cucumber, radish, green onion, and sour cream – perfect for spring. In summer, a mix of tomatoes, bell peppers, and basil with balsamic vinegar is especially popular. And if you want to make the salad more filling, just add some boiled potatoes or a bit of beans. When making these salads, it’s important to follow one simple rule: the fewer ingredients, the better their natural flavors shine. Even with just two or three components, you can create a well-balanced and appetizing dish. You’ll find more ideas like these in the vegetable salads section, where tried-and-true recipes are available for every season and taste.

Cheese Salads: Quick, Satisfying, and Elegant

Cheese is one of the most convenient ingredients for making quick salads. It needs no cooking, is easy to slice or grate, and adds richness and substance to any dish. Hard cheese goes well with just about anything: fresh vegetables, eggs, herbs, canned corn, or even fruit. With just a few basic ingredients, you can prepare a complete salad in 5-10 minutes. The versatility of cheese allows you to vary both the type of salad and its character – from light and summery to hearty and satisfying. One of the most popular combinations is cheese, eggs, garlic, and either mayonnaise or yogurt. It takes just a few minutes to make and is a hit with both adults and children. Another popular mix is cheese, tomatoes, and basil dressed with olive oil – a simple take on the classic Caprese. If you have a bit more time, you can add boiled potatoes, legumes, or salad greens to make it more filling. Cheese-based salads are great for everyday meals as well as special occasions – just change the presentation or pair the cheese with bolder ingredients. The same salad can be served in tartlets, glasses, or wrapped in flatbread rolls. For more ideas with this ingredient, visit the cheese salads section, where you’ll find plenty of quick and creative recipes.

Quick Egg Salads: A Classic with a Twist

Eggs are another staple ingredient for quick salads. They boil in just a few minutes, have a soft texture and pleasant taste, and combine well with most foods. Thanks to their high nutritional value, eggs allow you to create a complete dish even with minimal additional ingredients. Egg salads are known for their simplicity, versatility, and ease of adapting to any diet. The most popular recipes include egg with green onion and sour cream, or a classic version with egg, cucumber, and canned peas. These recipes usually involve only a few steps: peel, chop, dress. Salads with eggs and tuna, crab sticks, or corn are especially popular – perfect for breakfast, a picnic, or a light lunch. Eggs also work well with various sauces – whether based on mayonnaise or lighter options like Greek yogurt or whole grain mustard. This allows you to tailor the dish depending on your mood or occasion. If you want to expand your egg salad repertoire, check out the egg salads category, where you’ll find the best recipes for any situation.

Fish Salads: Fast, Nourishing, and Refined

Fish salads are ideal for those who value speed, nutrition, and refined flavor. Many types of fish require no cooking – for example, canned tuna, sardines, or pink salmon are ready to eat. Just open the can, drain the liquid, and mix the fish with fresh or cooked vegetables – and you’ve got a full meal in minutes. Salads with red fish – lightly salted salmon or trout – are especially popular. Combine them with avocado, fresh cucumber, arugula, and a light lemon juice dressing for a restaurant-worthy flavor at home. For a heartier version, try fish with potatoes, eggs, or cooked carrots. Fish salads also store well in the fridge, making them ideal for prepping in advance for breakfast or lunch boxes. Be sure to choose high-quality fish, balance your ingredients, and avoid overpowering sauces. For more inspiration, check out the fish salads collection, where you’ll find both classic and creative recipes made with a variety of ingredients.

Corn – The Secret to Instant Salads

Sweet canned corn is a true gem for quick kitchen solutions. It’s ready to eat, has a tender texture and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with most vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Adding corn to a salad brings color, juiciness, and an exciting flavor twist. One of the fastest options is a salad with corn, crab sticks, cucumber, and mayonnaise. All the ingredients can be chopped or even torn by hand, mixed in a bowl – and the dish is ready. For a lighter version, swap the mayo for yogurt or olive oil, and add some herbs and spices to taste. Corn also goes well with eggs, cheese, ham, avocado, and even fruit. For example, a salad with corn, pineapple, chicken, and cheese is a perfect way to create a bold, flavorful dish in just a few minutes. Thanks to its versatility and ease of use, corn-based salads often become family favorites. If you're looking for more options, be sure to explore the corn salads section – it offers plenty of ideas for everyday meals and festive occasions. Even with minimal ingredients, you can make something delicious and impressive.