Low-Fat Salad Recipes

Inspired by the classic mojito cocktail, this festive and healthy fruit salad gets zing from rum, lime and mint. The optional piment d'Espelette--a sweet, spicy ground pepper from the Basque region of France--adds a hint of heat that's a nice contrast to the sweet fruit. Look for this spice at specialty stores, well-stocked markets or online. You could also swap in chile-lime seasoning blend (such as Tajín) for a similar subtle kick or omit the spice altogether. Feel free to skip the rum if you prefer an alcohol-free salad. With or without the rum, this salad has summertime backyard BBQ written all over it.

Salty prosciutto, tangy feta, crunchy pistachios, sweet watermelon and bright mint come together wonderfully in this fresh and easy summer salad. Feel free to sub crumbled bacon for the prosciutto, or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian version of this salad.

This simple green salad is easy to modify according to your tastes or what's in season. If you serve the dressing on the side, you can always package up the leftover greens and veggies without fearing slimy, wilted greens the next day.

Low-fat yogurt and light sour cream make this caraway-flavored coleslaw creamy and rich. It's a low-carb side dish that's ideal for a diabetic meal plan.

Known in Greek mythology as "the food of the Gods," this ambrosia salad reflects a global menu when exotic fruits are added. This simple fruit cup is perfect for breakfast alongside Greek yogurt or eggs but would also be nice as a light dessert after a filling dinner.

Layering colorful chopped fruits in a straight-sided trifle bowl gives a refreshing fruit salad a stunning presentation. It's a company-worthy brunch recipe and would also be a star at any potluck picnic.

A splash of prosecco and a little orange juice transform a fresh fruit salad into the perfect brunch dish. To make ahead, prepare the fruit as directed, but don't combine with the mimosa dressing until just before serving so the bubbly maintains its fizz.

The mild flavor of deliciously soft (but still surprisingly crunchy) wood ear mushrooms is a perfect canvas for the vinegary marinade in this healthy salad. This recipe uses dried wood ears, so make sure you soak them overnight the day before.

This throw-together slaw is prepped in just 20 minutes and chilled for either 2 hours or an entire day, to allow the lemony-cilantro dressing to work its magic. It's great whether you have just a couple of hours to prepare your meal or a full day before company comes.

Jalapeño chile peppers add a pleasant spice to this chilled corn salad. If you like things a bit more spicy, leave in some of the seeds from the peppers.

The addition of pea pods and raisins to rice and barley makes this crowd-pleasing salad extra nutritious. Chill for at least four hours to give the salad time to soak up the flavors of the low-fat orange dressing.

Low in calories and high in fiber, kohlrabi is the perfect addition to this easy cold vegetable side-salad recipe. If you can't find kohlrabi, feel free to substitute green cabbage.

Most people think of potato salad as a cold side dish reserved for picnics or barbecues. Not this one! This hearty recipe pairs potatoes and onions in a slow cooker, where they cook until tender. Served warm and topped with chunks of cooked turkey bacon, this easy side dish is lovely served on a bed of baby spinach.

Crisp pear, juicy grapefruit, and melt-in-your-mouth kiwifruit are lightly spritzed with a simple honey-balsamic dressing in this deliciously refreshing salad, ready in just 10 minutes. Serve it alongside your main meal, or save it for dessert!

Italian dressing seasons grilled corn, fresh tomatoes, and tender spinach in this side-dish recipe that's an obvious choice to serve at cookouts.

Mango, bell peppers, and black beans combine with whole-wheat couscous in this Caribbean-inspired grain salad. The ginger-lime dressing has a touch of cayenne pepper and provides just the right amount of zing!

This sure isn't Grandma's classic potato salad! We've reduced the fat by substituting low-fat Greek yogurt for traditional mayonnaise and we added jalapeño slices to kick things up a notch.

Salad on a stick is a fair food we can get behind. Threading salad ingredients onto a skewer makes for a fun presentation of this tasty salad. Be careful not to overcook the bacon as crispy bacon can be hard to skewer.

Potato salad is a perfect year-round side dish for any meal. This classic recipe uses a hard-cooked egg and fresh dill weed to add color and taste, and mild green onions to go along with the crunchy celery.

This easy side dish compliments any summer meal. Full of fresh and crunchy jicama, radishes and red pepper, this slaw is also a great topper on a salad or in a poke bowl.