What Salad Goes with Mussels? (11 Awesome Salads)

If you’re trying to figure out what salad goes with mussels, look no further!

I’ve got you covered with 11 of the best salads to serve alongside mussels.

Whether you are looking for a light and refreshing salad or something a little heartier, 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 the next time you make mussels!

What Salad Goes with Mussels?

The most popular salads to serve with mussels are Caesar salad, green salad, and Nicoise salad. However, you can really pair mussels with any type of salad. Try a fruit salad, quinoa salad, or even a simple cucumber and tomato salad.

Still looking for salad ideas?

Then keep scrolling!

Here are 11 salads that go with mussels:

1. Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad

Broccoli is not as bland as you might think.

When combined with the right ingredients, this cruciferous vegetable can be transformed into a flavor powerhouse.

Take this classic bacon broccoli salad for example.

The bacon adds a smoky flavor, the red onion provides a bit of sweetness and crunch, and the dressing ties everything together with its creaminess.

If you’re looking for something a little different, you could:

• Swap out the bacon for pancetta or prosciutto.
• Add in some diced avocado for extra creaminess.
• Use white wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in the dressing.
• Top with shredded Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese.

2. Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

This dressing just gets me.

It’s the perfect balance of acidity, creaminess, and zing.

And it pulls the salad together so nicely.

The crispy romaine, sweet corn, fresh tomatoes, creamy black beans, and sharp cotija cheese all play so well together.

This salad is delicious as is, but here are a few ways you could change things up:

• Substitute the romaine for another type of lettuce like iceberg or spinach.
• Add some diced avocado or guacamole for extra creaminess.
• Throw in a handful of chopped cilantro for extra zing.
• Swap out the cotija cheese for feta or queso fresco.

3. 5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad

Sometimes, you just don’t have the time or energy to make a big, complicated salad.

This 5-minute lemon parmesan lettuce salad is the perfect solution.

It’s light and refreshing, but still has enough flavor to stand up to heartier dishes.

And it couldn’t be easier to make – just mix together some chopped lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and a simple lemon dressing.

If you’re looking for ways to change things up, you could:

• Swap out the lettuce for spinach or arugula.
• Add in some diced avocado or hard-boiled eggs.
• Use a different type of cheese, like goat cheese or feta.
• Try a different dressing – balsamic vinegar would be delicious!

4. BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad

Anybody who’s ever been to a proper BBQ knows that ranch dressing is a must-have.

But this salad takes things to the next level by adding in BBQ chicken, bacon, and a whole lot of flavor.

It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or picnic, and it can easily be made ahead of time.

To change things up, you could:

• Use a different type of pasta, like rotini or shell pasta.
• Swap out the BBQ chicken for grilled chicken or diced ham.
• Add in some chopped bell peppers or diced avocado for extra color and texture.
• Top with green onions or chives for a bit of extra flavor.

5. Pesto Potato Salad

I love pesto. I put it on everything from sandwiches to chicken to, yes, even salad.

This Pesto Potato Salad is my latest obsession.

It’s the perfect blend of creamy and flavorful, with just the right amount of pesto.

To change things up, you could:

• Add in some diced cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
• Swap out the potatoes for quinoa or couscous.
• Add in some chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
• Throw in a handful of chopped nuts for extra crunch.

6. Antipasto Salad with Easy Italian Vinaigrette

Easy, pretty healthy, and so flavorful, this antipasto salad is the perfect side for a summer meal.

I love to serve it with grilled seafood, like mussels or shrimp, but it would also be great with chicken or steak.

If you want to change things up, you could:

• Swap out the lettuce for arugula or spinach.
• Add in some chopped fresh herbs, like basil or parsley.
• Throw in some diced cooked chicken, salami, or pepperoni.
• Use a different type of cheese, like provolone or mozzarella.
• Make your own vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar (or lemon juice) instead of using store-bought dressing.

7. Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

It’s not that I don’t like regular old white potatoes, I do. But give me a sweet potato any day and I’ll be a happy camper.

This salad is hearty, filling, and perfect for a winter meal.

The dressing is creamy and slightly sweet from the honey, with a little zing from the mustard.

If you’re not a fan of kale, you could use spinach or arugula instead.

And if you’re not into sweet potatoes, regular potatoes would work just as well.

To change things up, you could:

• Add some cooked bacon or chicken for extra protein.
• Swap out the honey mustard dressing for your favorite salad dressing.
• Top with crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese for extra creaminess.

8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Oh, bacon ranch pasta salad. Is there anything you can’t make better?

This dish is always a hit at potlucks and picnics, and it’s so easy to make ahead of time.

The best part about this recipe is that it’s completely customizable.

If you’re not a fan of bacon, you could leave it out or substitute in another protein like cooked chicken or shrimp.

And if you’re not a fan of ranch dressing, any other type of dressing would work just as well.

To change things up, you could:

• Add in some diced avocado for creaminess.
• Stir in a handful of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
• Use a different type of pasta like rotini or farfalle.

9. Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad

Beets don’t get the love they deserve.

They’re often an afterthought, but they really shouldn’t be.

This roasted beet goat cheese salad is a delicious and easy way to show beets some love.

The beets are roasted until they’re tender and sweet, and then they’re paired with creamy goat cheese, tangy balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme.

It’s a simple salad, but it’s so full of flavor.

If you want to change things up, you could:

• Swap out the goat cheese for feta or blue cheese.
• Add some chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch.
• Use roasted sweet potatoes instead of beets.
• Try a different herb in place of the thyme (rosemary would be lovely).

10. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

These round little beans are a powerhouse of nutrition, and they’re the perfect base for this healthy, filling salad.

The combination of fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a simple lemon dressing makes this salad irresistible.

And it’s so easy to customize!

• Try adding in some crumbled feta cheese or Kalamata olives for extra flavor.
• For a heartier salad, mix in some cooked chicken or grilled shrimp.
• Or if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, add in some grilled tofu or tempeh.

11. Healthy Kale Cranberry Quinoa Salad

I don’t always eat the most kale, but when I do, it’s in this salad.

It’s the perfect mix of sweet and tart with the addition of dried cranberries, and the quinoa gives it a nice hearty texture.

I like to keep things simple and just use olive oil and balsamic vinegar as my dressing, but you could also use a store-bought vinaigrette.

To change things up, you could:

• Swap out the kale for spinach or arugula.
• Add some chopped apple or pear for sweetness and crunch.
• Use slivered almonds or pecans in place of the pumpkin seeds.
• Try a different grain like farro or barley.