29 Salads To Help You Save Money And Clean The Fridge

Grocery bills add up fast, but using what’s already on hand can help. Instead of letting produce go bad, throw together simple meals that are quick and budget-friendly. These 29 ways to repurpose what’s in the fridge prove that a little creativity goes a long way.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

If you’re hankering for a bit of spice and smokiness, you can’t go wrong here. Bold flavors come together with a creamy touch that might remind you of a bustling market stand fare. Mexican Street Corn Salad throws in some sweet and heat, creating a feast that’s both vibrant and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Kala Chana Chaat

Crunchy, tangy, and bursting with a hint of spice – here’s an option that doubles as a nutritious pick-me-up. This dish uses simple ingredients to whip up something deliciously complex in flavor. Kala Chana Chaat isn’t just about nourishing your body; it’s a punch of taste that livens up your meal routine.
Get the Recipe: Kala Chana Chaat

Best Taco Salad Cups Recipe (Super Easy!)

Imagine scooping up a fiesta with every bite; that’s what you get with this playful dish. It’s like a mini salad party in a convenient, adorable form factor. With Best Taco Salad Cups, each morsel is a fun, colorful way to deliver tasty excitement to your palate.
Get the Recipe: Best Taco Salad Cups Recipe (Super Easy!)

Laccha Pyaz

Sometimes, you crave something with a sharp bite that can accompany nearly any dish. Here, simplicity melds with a dash of tradition to create a side that’s both refreshing and punchy. Laccha Pyaz serves up a tangy twist that can liven up your plate, using staples you likely have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Laccha Pyaz

Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Here’s to a salad that’s as lively as it is lush, boasting a medley of textures that’ll have you coming back for seconds. With seafood as the star, it’s all jazzed up with a dressing that’s rich yet fresh. Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing is something special that’s sure to impress, transforming humble veggies into a restaurant-quality dish.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Curried Chicken Salad

Craving something hearty with a whisper of exotic warmth? Here we have a combination that marries comfort with a kick, creating a harmony of spice and creaminess. Curried Chicken Salad is the perfect way to turn leftover cooked chicken into a dish that wows with its depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad

Dense Bean Salad

Here’s something incredibly pleasing without being heavy – think of it as a nutrient-dense treasure trove. It’s the kind of dish that packs a punch with fiber and protein, keeping you full and energized. Dense Bean Salad is an uncomplicated way to bring a bounty of wholesomeness onto your plate, great for working through those cans or bags of beans.
Get the Recipe: Dense Bean Salad

Cucumber Peanut Salad

For those moments when you crave a crunch, this dish answers with a resounding yes. Blending crispness with a nutty finish, it serves up freshness with a surprise twist. Cucumber Peanut Salad is the go-to for a quick, refreshing side that uses essentials from your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Peanut Salad

Macaroni Salad

Fancy a classic that never goes stale? This one brings together soft pasta and crisp veggies in a way that’s unfailingly worthwhile. Macaroni Salad is your ticket to a comforting meal that’s a cinch to make, especially with those almost forgotten elbows of pasta. It’s a friendly dish that’s just as perfect for a low-key family dinner as it is for a potluck.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Grilled Paneer Salad

Perfect for when you want to add a bit of char to your greens, this dish doesn’t skimp on the flair. Bringing together grilled goodness with an edge of indulgence, it’s both hearty and healthy. Grilled Paneer Salad is ideal for those craving something smoky yet fresh, using up those blocks of paneer waiting in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Paneer Salad

Pizza Salad

Ever wished you could have your pizza in a bowl? This playful take combines the joys of pizza toppings with the lightness of greens. Pizza Salad is creative, casual and captures the essence of your favorite slice while keeping things neat and green. It’s the answer to using those lingering bits of cheese and peppers, all in a fun, easy-to-make meal.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Cobb Salad

Here’s a classic salad that’s rich, gives a variety of textures, and never falls out of favor. Each bite is a balanced mix of protein and freshness, making it a dependable go-to. Cobb Salad is kind of like a wonderful little fridge cleanup, perfect for those odds and ends from the vegetable drawer and deli.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

Potato Salad

Need something comforting that’s also simple to prepare? A bowl of creamy and hearty chunks awaits in this fulfilling dish. Potato Salad is a perennial favorite that makes the most of those spuds that have been sitting around. It’s a beloved accompaniment at any BBQ or a meal in its own right for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

A pop of color and a crunch that refreshes makes this a standout side. This is your pick for a vibrant dish that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Red Cabbage Coleslaw brings an appetizing zip that can perk up any plate, making good use of that half head of cabbage. It’s quick, simple, and always a bright spot on the table.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

7 Layer Salad

Seeking something with layers of flavor and a show-stopping presentation? Look no further, as this dish has a level for everyone’s liking. 7 Layer Salad is all about that impressive tiered approach to taste, turning leftover veggies into a picture-perfect creation. It’s not just visually striking; with each scoop, you’ll dig into different textures and tastes.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad

Healthy Chicken Salad

Here comes a choice that’s lean, full of protein, and doesn’t sacrifice flavor for health. A rewarding option when you’re looking for something that feels indulgent but keeps things on the lighter side. Healthy Chicken Salad is all about smart eating, utilizing those last scraps of chicken breast to make a meal that serves both your body and your cravings.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chicken Salad

Waldorf Salad

Craving a mix of sweet, crunchy, and creamy? This choice is a nod to tradition, delivering a combination that’s stood the test of time. Waldorf Salad is the epitome of classic taste, transforming staples into a dish that exudes a sense of upscale simplicity. It’s an enjoyable way to use up fridge leftovers, serving as a perfect side or a light main dish.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad

Honeycrisp Salad

For those who love a sweet note in their greens, this one’s a winner. It proves that salads can be pleasing in more ways than one, balancing sweetness with freshness. Honeycrisp Salad is just the thing when you have fruit and greens to spare, blending them together in a harmoniously sweet union.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad

Pasta Primavera

Aiming for something bright and full of garden goodness? Here we have a dish that’s wonderfully versatile, allowing for numerous veggie combinations. Pasta Primavera is the perfect excuse to use those bits of produce you’ve been meaning to eat, all while enjoying a plate that’s rewarding yet light.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Hot Honey Chicken Salad

For those who like their salad with a little fire, this one brings the heat, sweetened with a touch of honey. It’s a dish that’s bold and sassy, boasting both flavor and flair. Hot Honey Chicken Salad is an exciting way to spice up your meal rotation, turning that leftover chicken into a zinger of a dish.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Kachumber

Light, simple, and loaded with a refreshing zing – here’s a side that complements a variety of main dishes. This is a salad known for enhancing your dining experience with its lively crunch. Kachumber is a smart way to use up those cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, melding them in a dance of simplicity and freshness.
Get the Recipe: Kachumber

Roasted Beetroot and Feta Salad

Here’s how to blend earthy roots with creamy cheese for a dish that’s both rustic and refined. Offering a riot of color and a comforting taste, it’s a wonderful way to add some elegance to your plate. Roasted Beetroot and Feta Salad turns simple ingredients into something that feels a bit fancy, all while making use of those beets you’ve had lying around.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beetroot and Feta Salad

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Fans of crisp greens and a lush dressing will find a favorite here, combining a rewarding crunch with a rich finish. A true friend for cooked-out veggies, it’s a salad that stands out with its enjoyable contrast. Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing transforms the common broccoli into a star, allowing you to appreciate the little green trees in a whole new light.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Cabbage Salad

When you’re after something that’s both light on the stomach and effort, this dish is a quick fix. It’s all about the simple joy of crisp textures and easy preparation. Cabbage Salad makes magic out of minimal ingredients, turning something humble into the highlight of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Salad

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Ready for a dash of Asian flair that’s fiery and complex? This dish packs in a world of flavor into every morsel, marrying spice with cool crunchiness. Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad is a thrilling option for those who want something different from their usual salad fare.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Marrying the smoky taste of the grill with the comfort of pasta creates a dish full of texture and flavor. This recipe is a happy bridge between the two, bringing variety to every bite. Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies is the answer for an intriguing meal that’s as rewarding as it is smart, using up what you’ve got in a deliciously creative way.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

If you’re in the mood for something hearty with a hint of sweetness, this is an excellent pick. It’s filling, flavorful with a hint of earthiness, perfect for a robust meal option. Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad uses these hearty ingredients to craft a wonderful combination that feels indulgent yet nutritious.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad

A salad that’s bursting with freshness is always a welcome addition to any meal. This one promises a combination that’s juicy, crunchy, and downright refreshing. Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad is a timeless mix, perfect for gathering those lingering salad staples and turning them into something special.
Get the Recipe: Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad

Seven Layer Salad

Ready to layer on the flavor with a dish that’s as visually appealing as it is tasty? Stack up your salad game with a variety of textures and tastes in a single bowl. Seven Layer Salad makes the most of those leftover vegetables, creating a masterpiece that’s both fun to assemble and to eat. It’s a party in a bowl where each layer is a new surprise.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Salad