What Salad Goes with Paella? (11 Easy Salads)

Knowing what salad goes with paella can make or break your dish.

A good salad should complement the flavors in your paella without overpowering them.

It should also be fresh and light, since paella can be a bit heavy.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up 11 of the best salads to serve with paella.

From simple cucumber salads to more complex ones with fruits and nuts, there is sure to be a salad 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 paella!

What Salad Goes with Paella?

There are salads that go well with all types of paella, but some of the most popular include a simple green salad, a tomato and cucumber salad, or even a fruit salad. If you want something more filling, you can also serve a bean salad or potato salad on the side.

Still looking for salad ideas?

Then keep scrolling!

Here are 11 salads that go with paella:

1. Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad

When you combine bacon and broccoli, you really can’t go wrong.

This salad is the perfect side to any meal, but it goes especially well with paella.

The bacon and broccoli are tossed in a homemade dressing made with mayo, vinegar, sugar, and a touch of mustard.

Then, the salad is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped red onion.

You could easily mix things up by:

• swapping out the broccoli for another veggie, like cauliflower or Brussels sprouts
• using a different type of cheese, like Swiss or Gruyere
• adding in some chopped cooked chicken or hard-boiled eggs
• using a different dressing, like ranch or vinaigrette

2. Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

I really appreciate a good chopped salad.

They are perfect for making ahead of time and they keep well in the fridge, which makes them great for meal prep.

This southwestern chopped salad is one of my favorites because it has all of my favorite flavors in one place – sweet corn, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a zesty cilantro-lime dressing.

You could easily change things up by swapping out the bacon for grilled chicken or adding black beans for extra protein.

3. 5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad

I don’t always have the time (or energy) to make a big, complicated salad.

This 5-minute lemon parmesan lettuce salad is my go-to when I want something quick and easy, but still really flavorful.

It’s a great way to use up any extra lettuce you have in the fridge, and it pairs perfectly with just about anything – especially Mediterranean dishes like paella.

To change things up, you could:

• Add some chopped veggies like cucumber, tomatoes, or red onion.
• Swap out the Parmesan for feta or goat cheese.
• Use a different type of lettuce like spinach or arugula.
• Make it a main dish by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

4. BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad

Pasta salads come in all shapes and sizes, but this BBQ chicken ranch pasta salad is definitely one of my favorites.

It’s got all of my favorite things – chicken, bacon, cheese, and a delicious BBQ ranch dressing.

Plus, it’s super easy to make and can be easily customized to your liking.

Here are a few ways you could change things up:

• Use a different type of pasta, like rotini or shells.
• Swap out the chicken for shrimp or steak.
• Add in some diced avocado or roasted corn.
• Use a different kind of cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack.
• Make your own BBQ sauce or use a store-bought variety.

5. Pesto Potato Salad

Known for its summery flavor, pesto is a great way to add some zing to your potato salad.

This recipe is super simple, and can easily be tailored to your liking.

Try adding in some chopped up veggies, like bell peppers or carrots, or swap out the pesto for another type of dressing.

To make this dish even better, you could:

• Add some protein with cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
• Make it a complete meal by stirring in some cooked rice or quinoa.
• Top with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese.

6. Antipasto Salad with Easy Italian Vinaigrette

Why not go the easy route and whip up a big batch of this antipasto salad to enjoy all week long?

It’s packed with all of my favorite Italian flavors – salami, olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella, and a simple homemade vinaigrette.

And it comes together in just minutes!

To change things up, you could:

• Add some cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a main dish.
• Swap out the mozzarella for another type of cheese, like provolone or Parmesan.
• Try a different type of pasta, like farfalle or rotini.
• Add in some chopped roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts.

7. Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

If those regular white or yellow potatoes just aren’t doing it for you anymore, try this sweet potato kale salad.

It’s a fun twist on the classic kale salad, and the creamy honey mustard dressing ties everything together perfectly.

I love to add some crumbled goat cheese or feta on top, but you could also mix in some diced avocado or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.

For something a little different, you could:

• Swap out the kale for spinach or arugula.
• Use roasted sweet potatoes instead of raw for a warm and comforting salad.
• Add in some dried cranberries or raisins for sweetness.
• Try using a different type of mustard in the dressing, like Dijon or whole grain mustard.

8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Crispy bacon holds this creamy ranch pasta salad together, with just the right amount of zing from diced green onions.

It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks and picnics – no one will be able to resist!

For a little bit of variety, you could:

• Swap out the bacon for diced ham or crumbled sausage.
• Use a different type of pasta, like rotini or elbow noodles.
• Add in some chopped veggies, like bell peppers, celery, or carrots.
• Stir in a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or black beans for extra protein.
• Mix in a cup of frozen corn or peas.

9. Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad

Just look at the beautiful colors in this Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad!

It’s the perfect side dish to any meal, but especially paella.

The sweetness of the beets pairs so well with the savory rice dish, and the goat cheese adds a nice creaminess.

To change things up, you could:

• Swap out the beets for roasted sweet potatoes.
• Use feta cheese instead of goat cheese.
• Add some crunch with toasted nuts or seeds.
• Throw in some fresh herbs like parsley or mint.

10. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

These awesome little salads are perfect for a light lunch or as a side to your favorite Mediterranean dishes.

They’re packed with protein and fiber from the chickpeas, and get a nice crunch from the cucumber and red onion.

I like to keep things simple and use a store-bought vinaigrette, but you could easily make your own.

To change things up, you could:

• Swap out the chickpeas for white beans or lentils.
• Add some chopped grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Use feta cheese instead of goat cheese.
• Try different herbs, like dill or mint.

11. Healthy Kale Cranberry Quinoa Salad

If health is a priority, this kale cranberry quinoa salad is a great option.

It’s full of nutrient-rich ingredients like kale, quinoa, and cranberries, and it’s tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette.

You can easily make this salad your own by adding in your favorite protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc.) or swapping out the quinoa for rice or pasta.

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