Popular foods like carrots and peas, peanut butter and jelly, and steak and potatoes show that some foods just taste better together. The same concept applies to salads too. Chances are you’re familiar with the Caesar, Caprese, and even the Cobb salad. Flavor combinations in these salads work well together and have stayed popular throughout the years.

But what if you wanted to try a new salad, or just had a craving for a particular food, but knew you wanted to make into some kind of salad? Our chart below will help you do just that, even if you want a heartier salad for lunch or dinner!

Craving avocado? Try it topped with sesame seeds or almonds. Have a hankering for something sweet, but not sure which way to go? Add some apples, raisins, or honey mustard dressing to your salad. This pairing guide can be used to get your creative juices flowing for your next salad or even just as a guide to build a more complete salad. Check out the pairings below for more delicious ideas:

Hopefully some of these ideas will get you started on a salad with well-balanced flavors that taste great together. The suggested ingredients are by no means the only things you should pair with your cravings, but they can help when you’re in a salad rut.

A great salad has contrast between sweet and salty, fat and acidic, and will usually have some varying textures too. Before you make your next salad creation, why not personalize some kitchen tools to make cooking even more fun!

Hopefully this simple salad pairing guide will give you new ideas and get you exploring flavor combinations you’ve never tasted. Bon appétit!