The Art of the Salad Course: Pretty Serveware + Fresh Recipes

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share what I love and think you will too!

Let’s talk about the unsung hero of a summer gathering: the salad course.

So often it’s the thing we toss together last-minute and serve as an afterthought—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right serveware and a few go-to fresh recipes, the salad can feel just as special and styled as any tablescape. Whether you're hosting a summer dinner party or just serving your family on a Tuesday night, there's something lovely about elevating this simple course into a true centerpiece.

I’ve pulled together three of my favorite summer salads below, along with some of the prettiest bowls, tongs, and salad servers that make even the most basic greens feel like an occasion.

Serving Bowl // Tongs

My 3 Favorite Summer Salads

1. Pomegranate Seeds, Goat Cheese & Spinach Salad with Vinaigrette

Pomegranate seeds, baby spinach & arugula mix, goat cheese, and candied pecans topped with a vinaigrette dressing. This is my FAVORITE but it's a little hard to come by. It's a champagne vinaigrette- It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little tangy—light but satisfying.

Serve it in this with a pair of natural wood tongs like for a casual garden-party feel. This salad is beautiful already but the emerald check colors in the bowl make it stunning!!

2. College Salad

Crisp cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, iceberg lettuce, freshly shredded colby jack cheese, and the game changer- cold pasta noodles tossed in a homemade ranch dressing. I call this my college salad because it is the only salad I would eat when I was in college! It might not be the healthiest or the lowest-cal but it is SO good and you can throw in lots of veggies and any other mix ins! I often add a protein, like grilled chicken and/or bacon, cucumbers or red peppers!

Upscale this salad by serving it in a beautiful silver bowl! I have this version, but have been eyeing this one that is larger and makes tossing the salad a little easier. Matching tongs complete the look!

3. Shaved Brussel Sprout Cesar with Lemon and Parmesan

Finely shaved raw Brussels sprouts. shaved parmesan, toasted croutons, lemon zest and Caesar dressing. This is a modern take on the classic Caesar with a bit of crunch and brightness. It a nice way to change up the traditional Cesar! I like serving this one with grilled chicken, or accompanying a pasta dish.

I love using handpainted Italian serving bowls like this one for a Cesar salad- it just really brings it to life! Pair with olive wood salad tongs for texture.

Pretty Serveware That Elevates Every Salad

If you’ve been guilty of grabbing a random mixing bowl for your salad course (guilty 🙋‍♀️), here’s your sign to upgrade:

• Emerald Check Salad Bowl with Tongs

• Silver Beaded Serving Bowl

• Silver Pearled Serving Bowl

• Silver Pearled Tongs

• Italian Handpainted Pesce Serving Bowl

• Olive Wood Tongs

A beautiful salad doesn’t just taste good—it’s part of the mood, the table, the moment! Especially during spring and summer when everything is bursting with color and flavor, it’s such an easy way to bring something fresh to your table.