MyPlate-Inspired Salads - Cooking Light

Shrimp, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad Recipe

Photo: Johnny Autry

Nutritious Salad Recipes

Cooking Light is working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and USDA’s MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to thousands of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Find recipes at http://pinterest.com/MyPlateRecipes/.

A key component of this initiative involves making half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Salads are a great option to implement this nutritious habit into a long-term healthy lifestyle.

First up: Creamy avocado and juicy grapefruit are tossed with shrimp for a quick salad that works well as a weeknight meal, or for entertaining guests.

View Recipe: Shrimp, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad

Photo: John Autry

Southwestern Cobb Salad

Covered in a sweet and spicy homemade vinaigrette dressing, our take on a traditional Cobb salad is overflowing with protein and delicious veggies like avocado, green onions, and tomato for a well-rounded dinner salad.

View Recipe: Southwestern Cobb Salad

Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor

Pork Tenderloin Salad and Grilled Nectarines

For a fast weeknight dinner, prepare a this grilled delicacy, which has heightened sweetness and flavor from grilling the fruit and meat.

View Recipe: Pork Tenderloin Salad and Grilled Nectarines

Photo: Randy Mayor

Shrimp Caesar Salad

Top romaine lettuce with grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, shrimp, croutons, and a homemade Caesar dressing for a satisfying main-dish salad.

View Recipe: Shrimp Caesar Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Roast Chicken Salad with Peaches, Goat Cheese, and Pecans

Fresh peaches and goat cheese headline this simple no-cook salad recipe. The 8-ingredient vinaigrette, made with pantry staples, takes just minutes to make and is a delicious complement to the other salad ingredients.

View Recipe: Roast Chicken Salad with Peaches, Goat Cheese, and Pecans

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Fresh Mediterranean Salad

This side salad is quick and easy to make and offers a beautiful presentation. Make ahead of time and serve with a fish, chicken, or beef main course.

View Recipe: Fresh Mediterranean Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pork, Pineapple, and Anaheim Chile Salad with Avocado

In a colorful mixture of flavors and textures, this pork salad features a mixture of grilled, spiced pork tenderloin combined with pineapple, bell pepper, chile, and avocado. The mixture is served in lettuce leaves and topped with a tangy vinaigrette.

View Recipe: Pork, Pineapple, and Anaheim Chile Salad with Avocado

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Spinach and Pear Salad

Perfect for a side dish to serve to company or on special family occasions, this fresh spinach salad features pears and a red-wine vinegar based dressing for an unbeatable combination.

View Recipe: Spinach and Pear Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chicken and Couscous Salad

A great way to use leftover chicken and save time in the kitchen, this 20-minute dinner salad uses quick-to-cook couscous and lots of brightly flavored herbs for a great taste.

View Recipe: Chicken and Couscous Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Creole Tomato Salad

Tomatoes are an important ingredient in the Creole cooking of New Orleans. This composed salad is easy to put together yet yields abundant, fresh flavor.

View Recipe: Creole Tomato Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Tangy Mustard Coleslaw

This crisp salad is good with burgers or fish sandwiches for a hearty meal. Add a dash of hot sauce to the mustard mixture for extra spiciness.

View Recipe: Tangy Mustard Coleslaw

Photo: Randy Mayor

Arugula Salad with Chicken and Apricots

This main course salad is an ideal lunch or light supper option. Plums work as a delicious substitute for apricots, if you prefer.

View Recipe: Arugula Salad with Chicken and Apricots

Photo: John Autry

Broccoli Carpaccio with Broccoli Stalk Salad

This side dish makes great use of broccoli stalks in a riff on carpaccio, which is traditionally a dish of thinly sliced raw meat. A standout salad, this recipe won us over at the taste-testing table, earning our highest rating. You can use a mandoline to make easy work of slicing the broccoli thinly and evenly.

View Recipe: Broccoli Carpaccio with Broccoli Stalk Salad

Photo: Anna Williams

Spinach, Endive, and Tangelo Salad

Our spinach salad hits a lot of flavorful notes; sweet fruit, earth nuts, refreshing mint, and a slight bitterness from Belgian endive mix together for a delectable combination.

View Recipe: Spinach, Endive, and Tangelo Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Pan-Grilled Thai Tuna Salad

This grilled tuna-topped salad serves two and goes perfectly with a side of crunchy rice cakes for a lighter dinner option. Prepare a refreshing dessert like coconut sorbet and diced mango to follow the spicy salad.

View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Thai Tuna Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Winter Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Reduction Dressing

This ultimate starter salad celebrates the produce of the winter season and makes a knockout-gorgeous addition to your table. Use fresh orange juice, multicolored beets, and creamy goat cheese for this exquisite appetizer.

View Recipe: Winter Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Reduction Dressing

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Melon and Fig Salad with Prosciutto and Balsamic Drizzle

The best of the summer is tossed together in this fresh melon and fig salad. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal option for a busy weeknight dinner.

View Recipe: Melon and Fig Salad with Prosciutto and Balsamic Drizzle

Photo: Randy Mayor

Penne, Crispy Tofu, and Green Bean Salad

A light vinaigrette tossed with pasta, fresh summer produce, and sautéed tofu make this salad a hit for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

View Recipe: Penne, Crispy Tofu, and Green Bean Salad

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Jalapeño-Lime Slaw

This citrusy take on coleslaw is fresh and pleasantly spicy, making it an ideal side dish or burger topping. Leave the seeds in more peppers for added fire, or seed them all for a milder dish.

View Recipe: Jalapeño-Lime Slaw

Photo: John Autry

Pork Salad Provençal

Serve this elegant, French-inspired salad with baguette slices toasted with feta cheese for a well-rounded and filling meal.

View Recipe: Pork Salad Provençal

Photo: John Autry

Southern Fattoush

The ubiquitous Israeli bread salad makes a fine gathering place for black-eyed peas and sweet Georgia onions.

View Recipe: Southern Fattoush

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Shrimp and Herb Salad

High-protein shrimp over a bed of fresh lettuce makes for a delicious main dish salad.

View Recipe: Shrimp and Herb Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Summer Bean Salad

If you purchase whole fava bean pods, you'll need to shell them and then peel the beans: Blanch shelled beans in boiling water for a few seconds, remove to a bowl of ice water, drain, and slip off the opaque skins. You can also substitute shelled edamame.

View Recipe: Summer Bean Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Basil

Our Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Basil is light and perfect as an outdoor summer side. Choose a variety of tomato colors to make the salad more beautiful without any additional work.

View Recipe: Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Basil

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Bean Salad with Shrimp and Curry Yogurt

Pair this easy salad with seasoned whole-wheat couscous or grilled bread brushed with olive oil. The flavors marry as the dish stands, so it's a particularly good choice for a picnic or party platter.

View Recipe: Bean Salad with Shrimp and Curry Yogurt