As a category, salads encompass far more than the boring, uninspired side dishes served alongside a main course, or the takeout lunches ordered from fast-casual chains. In reality, they're one of the most exciting, versatile, and creative dishes for home cooks to explore. Whether you're drawing inspiration from a traditional Caesar, making a big batch of pasta salad for your next summer picnic, or pairing in-season fruit with cool lettuce and acidic vinaigrette, it's time to give salads the credit they deserve. We've partnered with Ken's Dressing to get you started—these are our favorite salad recipes, plus the tools and tips you need to pull them off.

These are the salads we reach for when we're short on time, energy, and ideas. Despite their deceptively simple ingredient lists, they're bright, punchy, and complex—everything we want in a side dish or simple meal.

When you think of a salad, you likely picture a variation of one of these classics. Of course, we're talking about the Caesars, chopped salads, and iceberg wedges of the salad world. Far from stuffy, our versions take inspiration from old-school iterations, while still embracing modern twists (see: grilled cheese croutons).

Salads are one of the most beloved lunchtime foods, but there are specific criteria they need to hit. Lunch salads should be nourishing enough to fuel you all day long (and even through the inevitable afternoon slump). Ideally, they can be made in advance or thrown together in just a couple minutes. And they need to be interesting and delicious enough to serve as a bright spot in your day. Luckily, all these recipes do the trick.

Arguably the best kinds of salads are those made with pasta, grains, potatoes, and other starchy bases. Unlike salads made with delicate lettuces and veg, these are make-ahead wonders, perfect for potlucks, cookouts, and summer picnics.

Craving a salad but need something centerpiece-worthy? These salads, starring garlicky steaks, juicy shrimp, or salty, fried halloumi will do just the trick.

Far from classic “fruit salads,” we'd classify these as salads with fruit in them—and they're all the better for it. There's nothing like juicy, in-season stone fruit or crisp slices of apple to balance a salad's salty, acidic, and savory bites.