What Salad Goes Well With Moussaka? 12 Best Salads

Knowing what salad goes well with moussaka can be the difference between a good meal and a great one.

Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish made with eggplant, ground meat, and a creamy bechamel sauce.

It is hearty, filling, and oh-so-delicious.

But it can also be quite heavy, which is why a light and refreshing salad is the perfect accompaniment.

I’ve rounded up 12 of the best salads to serve with moussaka.

From traditional Greek salads to more modern takes, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these salads a try next time you make moussaka!

What Salad Goes Well With Moussaka? 12 Best Salads

To me, a salad is like the icing on the cake.

It pulls all the flavors of a dish together and makes it complete.

A good salad should be light and refreshing, but still have enough flavor to stand up to the other dishes on the table.

When it comes to moussaka, there are a number of great salads that pair well with this classic Greek dish.

Here are 12 of the best salads for moussaka:

1. Salad Caprese

If you’re in a rush and need a quick salad, this is the one for you.

It’s so simple but SO GOOD.

Just tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

You can never go wrong with the classics!

Pro Tip: If you want to add some more color and texture to your salad, try adding some sliced cucumbers or red onions.

2. Nicoise Salad

My family loves salads where we can mix and match a bunch of different flavors and textures, and this Nicoise salad is the perfect example.

I usually start with a base of greens, add in some protein like tuna or chicken, throw in some chopped up veggies for crunch, and top it off with a flavorful dressing.

My go-to dressing for this salad is a simple balsamic vinaigrette, but you could also use a creamy caesar or even just olive oil and lemon juice.

Pro Tip: This salad is also great as a wrap! Just ditch the greens and pile everything into a tortilla.

3. Cobb Salad

If you want something protein-heavy and filling, this is the salad for you.

It’s got bacon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, avocado… and did I mention bacon?

You really can’t go wrong with this salad.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some grilled shrimp or a seared steak.

And if you want to lighten it up a bit, swap out the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese.

Pro Tip: This salad is perfect for meal prep! Just make sure to keep the dressing on the side so that your greens don’t get soggy.

4. Caeser Salad

I know this salad looks complicated (but really, it’s not) and it might even sound a little bit weird, but I promise it’s amazing.

The key is in the dressing – it’s got to be nice and thick, with a good hit of anchovy and garlic.

I like to add some lemon juice to brighten it up, and then top it with lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Pro Tip: If you want to make this salad ahead of time, just prepare all of the ingredients separately and then toss them together right before you’re ready to eat.

5. Waldorf Salad

Known for its creamy, mayo-based dressing and its combination of apples, celery, and grapes, the Waldorf salad is a true classic.

I like to add a little bit of spice by swapping out the grapes for dried cranberries, and adding in a few dashes of cayenne pepper.

For a heartier salad, I’ll add in some chopped chicken or hard-boiled eggs.

And no matter what else I change up, I always make sure to top it with a generous sprinkling of chopped walnuts.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, you can easily swap it out for Greek yogurt.

6. Thai Chicken Larb Salad

How about something Thai-inspired alongside your moussaka?

This chicken larb salad is healthy, flavorful, and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

I love it because it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken, but you could also easily swap in shrimp, tofu, or even just more vegetables.

There are endless ways to change up this salad.

For a heartier version, add some rice or noodles.

Or, if you’re looking for something lighter, leave out the chicken and add extra veggies.

My favorite way to enjoy this salad is with a crispy fried egg on top.

Pro Tip: The key to making this salad as flavorful as possible is in the dressing. Be sure to use fresh lime juice and zest, and don’t be afraid to adjust the fish sauce and sugar to your taste preferences.

7. Tabbouleh Salad

Why not try serving this salad with your moussaka or kofta?

Tabbouleh is a Levantine vegetarian dish traditionally made of tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, mint, bulgur, and onion, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

It’s fresh, flavorful, and perfect for a summer meal.

Pro Tip: If you want to add some protein to this dish, try serving it with grilled chicken or shrimp.

8. Russian Olivier Salad

This salad goes well with moussaka, chicken kiev, and other hearty main dishes.

I love to add in some chopped up dill pickles, and sometimes I’ll swap out the mayo for a yogurt-based dressing.

If you want to make it a little more substantial, you can add in some chopped boiled eggs or shredded chicken.

Pro Tip: This salad is best if made a day in advance, so that the flavors have time to meld together.

9. Greek Salad

Tasty and super colorful (just take a look at that photo!), this salad is perfect as a light meal or side dish.

I like to top it with grilled chicken or shrimp, but it’s just as good on its own.

And if I’m feeling extra lazy, I’ll use store-bought dressing instead of making my own (I won’t tell if you don’t!).

Pro Tip: If you want to make this salad ahead of time, wait to add the dressing and meats until right before you’re ready to eat. That way, the lettuce won’t get soggy.

10. Asian Slaw

Asian flavors are like music to my taste buds.

This salad is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy.

I love to add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal, but it’s also great as a side dish.

Pro Tip: For an extra crunch, add chopped peanuts or cashews to the salad.

11. Broccoli Salad

If you ask me, broccoli isn’t as bad as people make it out to be.

I actually really like the taste and texture of broccoli, especially when it’s in this salad.

This salad is my go-to lunch when I’m trying to be healthy, but it’s also great as a side dish for a BBQ or potluck.

The best part about this salad is that it’s so versatile – you can easily swap out the ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

Pro Tip: For a bit of sweetness, add in some raisins or dried cranberries. For an extra crunch, try adding in some sunflower seeds, chopped almonds or croutons.

12. Healthy Brussels Sprout Salad

Maybe you want something healthy and light, but also filling and satisfying.

This salad is all of those things, and more.

It’s packed with protein and fiber from the Brussels sprouts and chickpeas, and the tahini dressing is so flavorful and creamy.

I love to add avocado for some extra healthy fats, or roasted sweet potato for a little bit of sweetness.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of raw Brussels sprouts, you can roast them before adding them to the salad. Just toss them in olive oil and roast at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.