Salad Recipes from Around the World
5 recipes · 5 countries
Find your next fresh favorite
A salad can be a crisp accompaniment, a bread-and-tomato bowl, or a more substantial plate with potatoes, tofu or tuna. Compare five different approaches and choose the preparation that suits your meal.
These are home-kitchen adaptations inspired by the countries shown, not a claim to represent every regional version.
Crisp, no-cook bowls
Choose these when you want fresh vegetables without heating the stove.
For another simple side, try our French-inspired carrot salad with lemon and Dijon. Finely grated carrots need no cooking; a short rest lets the dressing coat the strands. Choose it alongside a sandwich or warm main course when you want a crisp accompaniment.
Bulgaria
Shopska Salad
Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber and sweet pepper meet a snowy topping of grated white cheese in this refreshing Bulgarian-inspired Shopska salad.
Before you choose: Choose ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumber. The cheese is added as a visible topping; taste a complete forkful before adding more salt.
Thailand
Green Papaya Salad
Crunchy unripe papaya, carrot and tomatoes meet a bright lime dressing with fish sauce, a little brown sugar and roasted peanuts in this Thai-inspired side salad.
Before you choose: Use firm, unripe green papaya, not soft orange-fleshed ripe fruit. This version includes fish sauce and peanuts; adjust chili to your diners rather than assuming it is mild.
More substantial plates
These recipes include cooked components. Organize the potatoes, eggs and vegetables before assembling.
Indonesia
Gado-Gado with Peanut Sauce
Tender potatoes, crisp-tender vegetables, golden tofu and hard-boiled eggs come together with a creamy lime-peanut sauce in this Indonesian-inspired composed salad.
Before you choose: This version combines tofu, eggs, potatoes and vegetables. Drain the cooked vegetables well and keep the peanut sauce separate for a packed meal.
France
Nicoise Salad with Tuna and Potatoes
Flaked tuna, firm eggs, tender potatoes and crisp green beans are arranged with tomatoes and olives, then finished with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette.
Before you choose: The potatoes and beans cook separately from assembly. Drain the tuna and dry the lettuce so the mustard dressing does not become watery.
Bread and ripe tomatoes
A useful choice when you have rustic bread and flavorful tomatoes; the resting time is intentional.
Italy
Tomato and Basil Panzanella
Toasted rustic bread soaks up ripe tomato juices, red-wine vinaigrette and fresh basil in this Italian-inspired salad with crisp cucumber and a little red onion.
Before you choose: Save the tomato juices for the dressing. The bread is toasted, then given time to absorb the liquid; basil goes in near serving.
Plan before you cook
Which is quickest?
Shopska has a listed total of 20 minutes and green papaya salad 25 minutes. Panzanella and Nicoise take about 45 minutes; gado-gado about 50 minutes. These totals include the preparation described in each recipe.
Keep the textures distinct
Store prepared components separately when practical and dress close to serving. Panzanella is the exception that deliberately rests with its dressing so the bread becomes pleasantly chewy.
Read beyond the word salad
Green papaya salad here contains fish sauce and peanuts. Nicoise contains tuna and eggs; gado-gado contains peanuts, soy and eggs; Shopska includes cheese and panzanella includes bread. Consult the full recipe for your dietary requirements.
Make the recipes work for you
Open a recipe for the complete ingredients, expanded directions and estimated nutrition. Use its Print button for a kitchen copy. When signed in, use Save Favorite, Add to Shopping List or the date and meal controls to organize your plan. These collection cards link to the original recipes; they do not create additional copies.
About this collection
Times and servings come from the linked recipes and are approximate. These recipes have not been independently kitchen-tested by Carolina Cooking. Read each full method before starting; ingredient changes can affect texture, timing, allergens and nutrition. Photographs are representative illustrations and may show different garnishes or serving arrangements.