DIY Salad in a Jar
364 calories per serving
Our farm-fresh, low-calorie salad is layered with gorgeous garden veggies. And we built in a homemade dressing flavored with fresh herbs. Just shake it up to eat the rainbow. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Also, check out these best low-calorie recipes of 2023.
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
77 calories per servingServe up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
By the way, these are the best and worst salad dressings for your health.
Zesty Steak Salad
218 calories per servingStir-fried steak and veggies give this hearty salad a cozy kick. Add any of your favorite salad ingredients like shredded cheese, croutons, mushrooms or cucumber. —Leah Carrell, Quitman, Texas
Balsamic-Salmon Spinach Salad
265 calories per servingThis low-calorie salad is really healthy and super fast. It’s an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta
Almond Strawberry Salad
77 calories per servingIt’s easy to love this pretty salad topped with strawberries and sliced almonds. With just a few ingredients, it’s loaded with flavor. —Renae Rossow, Union, Kentucky
Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad
199 calories per servingSalad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Cauliflower Potato Salad
61 calories per servingCauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad
143 calories per servingWe use this super duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping measure seasonings for this low-calorie salad. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington
Shrimp & Nectarine Salad
252 calories per servingFor a cool salad on a hot summer day, I combine shrimp, corn, tomatoes and nectarines with a drizzle of tarragon dressing. We love it chilled, but it’s delectable served right away, too. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
84 calories per servingSummer’s the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You’d never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Shrimp Scampi Spinach Salad
201 calories per servingMy husband and I really enjoy both shrimp scampi and fresh spinach salad, so I put the two together. My oldest son loves it, too, and he’s only 3! —Jamie Porter, Garnett, Kansas
Balsamic Cucumber Salad
90 calories per servingCucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It’s an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Berry Chicken Salad
268 calories per servingBright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
Tasty Marinated Tomatoes
91 calories per servingMy niece introduced me to this colorful low-calorie salad some time ago. I make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. This is a wonderful way to use a bumper crop of tomatoes. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
Turkey and Pasta Ranch Salad
256 calories per servingThis easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Green Salad with Shrimp and Wine Vinaigrette
277 calories per servingI came up with this tasty green salad with shrimp. It’s light, and you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. —Cecilia Flowers, Nashville, North Carolina
Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad
160 calories per servingCooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington
Classic Cobb Salad
260 calories per servingMaking this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Heirloom Tomato Salad
75 calories per servingThis is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases my guests. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Hearty Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
97 calories per servingThis warm, hearty spinach and bacon salad offers comfort at any meal. The glossy dressing features a hint of celery seed for a special touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Dill Garden Salad
75 calories per servingI love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Three-Pepper Coleslaw
36 calories per servingThere are never any leftovers when I make this dish for a picnic, barbecue or any social gathering. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Watermelon Tomato Salad
33 calories per servingWatermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington
Sicilian Potato Salad
96 calories per servingFresh basil is the star of this mayo-free, Italian-inspired take on potato salad. —Sue Falk, Warren, Michigan
Radish Asparagus Salad
73 calories per servingLemon zest and mustard in the dressing add the perfect punch to crisp asparagus and crunchy radishes in this fresh spring salad. My family loves it! —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Feta Garbanzo Bean Salad
268 calories per servingThis super quick garbanzo bean salad is a hit with my crowd. If there are any leftovers, which rarely happens, I pile them into pitas for lunches the next day! You can also add grilled chicken or steak to turn it into a hearty main-dish salad.—Judy Doepel, Ballston Lake, New York
Garden Tomato Salad
92 calories per servingFor as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Tarragon Asparagus Salad
77 calories per servingI love asparagus, and I love it even more when drizzled with my light, lemony vinaigrette dressing with a touch of tarragon. It’s perfect as a side for fresh spring meals. —Linda Lace, Winter Park, Florida
Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
31 calories per servingThis cucumber and onion salad is one of the first recipes I came up with myself. It’s a great salad for picnics or potlucks. I always come home with an empty bowl! —Brynn Steckman, Westerville, Ohio
Strawberry-Blue Cheese Steak Salad
289 calories per servingAt lunch one day, a friend told me about a steak salad she’d had at a party. It sounded so fantastic I had to try it for myself. My family would eat it nonstop if we could. Can’t seem to get enough of that tangy dressing! —Alma Winberry, Great Falls, Montana
Savory Pork Salad
229 calories per servingMake an easy-going meal in a bowl by tossing together healthful veggies, pork tenderloin, fresh herbs and spices with a warm soy dressing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spring Pea & Radish Salad
50 calories per servingWinters can be very long here in New Hampshire. I always look forward to the first veggies of spring and making some lighter dishes like this fresh salad. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire
Asparagus Spinach Salad with Chicken
267 calories per servingWe love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in the summer. This salad is one of our favorite because it packs in so much great produce, plus it’s quick and easy on a warm summer day. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pork and Balsamic Strawberry Salad
291 calories per servingServing this entree salad gives me hope that warmer days aren’t too far off. If strawberries aren’t in season yet, use thawed frozen in place of fresh. —Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts
Nectarine and Beet Salad
84 calories per servingBeets and nectarines sprinkled with feta cheese make a scrumptious blend for a colorful mixed green salad. The combination of ingredients may seem unlikely, but I think it will become a favorite. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Asparagus Nicoise Salad
233 calories per servingI’ve used this Nicoise as an appetizer or a main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, do-ahead sure thing. —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota
Orange Chicken Spinach Salad
270 calories per servingFor a salad with refreshing color and crunch, we toss chicken and spinach with mandarin oranges and red onion, then splash everything with a tangy vinaigrette. —Jean Murawski, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Strawberry-Turkey Spinach Salad
260 calories per servingThis light, refreshing salad is a true showstopper, visually and nutritionally, with fresh strawberries and yellow pepper strips tossed with fresh baby spinach. Serve with warm whole wheat rolls or flax or bran muffins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Refreshing Shrimp Salad
239 calories per servingAvocado, strawberries and shrimp are wonderful together in this filling yet light salad. Balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette dressings go well with the salad, as do Asian inspired dressings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin