What Are Some Different Kinds of Salads?

Most salads are made up of a combination of fresh vegetables, cheeses and sometimes fruits. The possibilities for making a salad are endless, but there are many classic salads. Salads can be eaten as an appetizer or an entrée. Salads are good sources of nutrition. Some people opt to add meat or seafood to their salads for extra protein.

Garden salads are commonly found in restaurants and on the dinner table in many homes. This basic salad is primarily made up of lettuce, such as iceberg or romaine. A spring mix can be used as well. Garden salads also have a variety of vegetables mixed in, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. Shredded cheese is another common topping for garden salads. Dressings for garden salads vary. Some popular options are Ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, Thousand Island or French.

Caesar salads are staples of Italian restaurants and steakhouses. This classic salad is made with romaine lettuce, which is topped with Parmesan cheese and croutons. Caesar dressing is creamy and is usually made with anchovies, olives and eggs.

The Cobb salad is named after its inventor, Robert Cobb. The cousin of baseball star Ty Cobb, Robert Cobb invented the Cobb salad in the 1930s. Cobb salads are made with iceberg or romaine lettuce. The lettuce is topped with grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs and Roquefort or blue cheese. Vinaigrette dressings typically top Cobb salads.

Greek salads are made up of a wide variety of ingredients commonly used in Greek cuisine. Any type of lettuce can be used. Toppings include tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, cucumbers and red onions. Oil and vinegar is the classic dressing for a Greek salad.

Caprese salads originated in Italy and are also popular in the United States. This salad is simple yet very flavorful. It consists of layers of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella slices and basil leaves. The salad is finished with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or balsamic vinaigrette.