Best Salad Cooking Books of 2025

The Complete Salad Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen is a comprehensive guide to making innovative and satisfying salads. With over 230 recipes, ingredient information and tips, this cookbook explores the creative possibilities of salads, featuring unique flavor combinations and ingredients such as barley, octopus, and miso. The book also includes sidebars highlighting surprising salad ingredients and tips on mixing and matching ingredients, flavors, and textures. The Salad Bar chapter equips readers with an assortment of dressings, toppings, and spice blends. Overall, this cookbook is a must-have for salad lovers who want inspiration for dinner and a feast for the eyes.

"The Salad Lab: Whisk, Toss, Enjoy!" by Darlene Schrijver is a vibrant cookbook that transforms the mundane salad experience into a culinary adventure. With a plethora of creative recipes inspired by celebrity favorites and unique concoctions, this book encourages readers to embrace salad-making as a fun and experimental process. Stunning photography accompanies each dish, along with drink pairing suggestions and staple recipes for dressings and toppings. Schrijver's engaging approach makes this cookbook not only a practical guide but also an invitation to explore the world of salads. Overall, "The Salad Lab" stands out for its innovative spirit and ability to inspire healthy eating habits year-round.

Matty Matheson’s "Soups, Salads, Sandwiches" is a vibrant reimagining of classic comfort foods, featuring 126 innovative recipes that elevate everyday meals. From Giant Meatball Soup to Cubano sandwiches, Matheson infuses his signature bold flavors into each dish, making cooking approachable for everyone. The book is not only a collection of recipes but also a personal narrative, filled with stories and stunning photography that captures a day in the chef's life. What sets this cookbook apart is its blend of simplicity and creativity, encouraging readers to experiment and find joy in the kitchen.

Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession is a must-have cookbook for salad lovers. With more than 100 delicious and beautiful recipes, Jess Damuck, Martha Stewart's personal salad chef, shares her passion for making truly delicious salads. Damuck encourages readers to find their own salad obsessions and offers recipes that are versatile enough to be incorporated into a larger menu. The book is not just about eating healthy but also about confidently combining flavors to create fresh, bright, and satisfying meals. Salad Freak is a quirky and fun book that will make you want to eat salad for every meal.

Mandy's Gourmet Salads: Recipes for Lettuce and Life is a delightful cookbook that will take your salad game to the next level. Written by the Wolfe sisters, Mandy and Rebecca, who are the founders and creators of Mandy's gourmet salads, this book is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. It not only provides easy-to-follow recipes for salads, grain bowls, smoothies, and sweets, but it also tells the story of two sisters who share a love for good food. The book is beautifully designed with colorful photos that will inspire you to make and enjoy delicious food. Overall, this cookbook is a gem for anyone who loves healthy, flavorful, and vibrant food.

Seriously Good Salads by Nicky Corbishley is a must-have for salad lovers looking to add some excitement to their meals. The book offers 75 innovative salad recipes that are packed with flavor, texture, and exciting toppings. From Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad to Orange Salad with Pistachios and Pomegranate, there's something for everyone. The book also includes tasty salad dressing recipes that will take your salads to the next level. Overall, Seriously Good Salads is a fantastic addition to any cookbook collection and will inspire readers to eat healthier while enjoying delicious meals.

Bowls: Vibrant Recipes with Endless Possibilities is a must-have for anyone looking for healthy and customizable meal options. With 75 complete bowl recipes and mix-and-match bases, toppings, and sauces, this book offers a multitude of flavors and textures to choose from. The recipes are versatile and easy to prepare, making them perfect for low-stress dinners or prepping in advance for lunches. The book also includes a Bowl Basics section with 100 components, perfect for improvising and creating unique bowls. Overall, America's Test Kitchen has provided another flawless entry with Bowls, guiding readers of all culinary skill levels in composing delicious one-bowl meals from a variety of cuisines.

In "Salad in a Jar: 68 Recipes for Salads and Dressings," Anna Helm Baxter offers a refreshing approach to meal prep with over 60 illustrated recipes for nutritious and portable salads, dressings, and snacks. This cookbook addresses the common pitfalls of on-the-go meals, providing practical tips for layering ingredients to maintain freshness and texture. Baxter's expertise shines through, making it easy for readers to create satisfying dishes that break the monotony of bland, overpriced salads. Overall, this book stands out for its innovative use of jars, ensuring that healthy eating remains convenient and enjoyable for busy lifestyles.

"Salad of the Day (Revised): 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year" by Weldon Owen is a vibrant, calendar-style cookbook that offers an impressive array of salads for every occasion. With over 90 new recipes and stunning images, it invites readers to explore the versatility of salads throughout the seasons, from warm winter dishes to refreshing summer creations. This revised edition stands out by showcasing diverse ingredients and innovative flavor combinations, making it a valuable resource for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs. Overall, it’s a delightful celebration of fresh produce that encourages creativity in the kitchen all year round.

"Food52 Mighty Salads" is a vibrant collection of 60 innovative recipes designed to transform ordinary salads into hearty, one-bowl meals. With options featuring a variety of ingredients like meats, grains, and seafood, this cookbook encourages culinary creativity while offering practical tips for salad preparation. The authors, Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, elevate the salad experience, making it a satisfying choice for any meal. Unique in its approach, this book not only provides delicious recipes but also empowers readers with the knowledge to enhance their salads, ensuring they never resort to a sad iceberg wedge again. A must-have for salad enthusiasts!"