What Salad Goes with French Onion Soup? 10 Best Salads

Are you wondering what salad goes with French onion soup?

I know I always am!

French onion soup is one of my all-time favorite dishes but it can be a little heavy, so I like to serve it with a light and refreshing salad.

Today, I’m sharing 10 of the best salads to serve with French onion soup.

Whether you are looking for a green salad, a grain salad, or something in between, 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 French onion soup!

See Also:

• 17 Best Sandwiches for French Onion Soup
• French Onion Soup Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for French Onion Soups

What Salad Goes with French Onion Soup? 10 Best Salads

The right salad can make or break a French onion soup.

A good salad will complement the soup and help to balance out the flavors.

On the other hand, a bad salad can easily overwhelm the soup and leave you with an unappetizing dish.

Fortunately, there are a number of great salads that pair well with French onion soup.

Here are 10 of the best salads for French onion soup:

1. Salad Caprese

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/463589355405360187/

If you’re in a rush (and who isn’t these days?), this is the salad for you.

It comes together in about 5 minutes and only requires 3 ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.

The best part?

It’s insanely delicious.

The sweetness of the tomatoes pairs perfectly with the creamy mozzarella and the earthy basil ties it all together.

Pro Tip: For an extra flavorful salad, use balsamic glaze instead of balsamic vinegar.

3 Ways to Change Up This Salad:

• Swap out the mozzarella for burrata or goat cheese.
• Add some grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Toss in some chopped cucumber or avocado.

2. Nicoise Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/813603488950115513/

I bet you know about this salad already (or have at least heard of it), but just in case you don’t: a Nicoise salad is a French salad that traditionally includes green beans, potatoes, eggs, tuna, and olives.

It’s a hearty salad that’s perfect for wintertime.

This salad is awesome alongside soup because it’s filling enough to be a meal on its own.

Plus, the contrasting flavors and textures make for a really fun and interesting experience.

Pro Tip: If you want to save some time, you can use canned tuna and pre-cooked potatoes.

Just be sure to drain the tuna and rinse the potatoes before adding them to the salad.

3 Changes You Can Make To This Salad:

• Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
• Swap out the green beans for roasted Brussels sprouts.
• Use feta cheese instead of goat cheese.

3. Cobb Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51791464456325612/

If you want a protein-rich salad that will fill you up without weighing you down, this is the one for you.

The Cobb salad is a perfect balance of healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbs.

It’s also incredibly versatile – you can easily swap out the ingredients to fit your mood or what you have on hand.

And it’s easy to make ahead of time, which makes it perfect for meal prep.

Pro Tip: To save time, cook the chicken and bacon in advance. Then, all you have to do is assemble the salad when you’re ready to eat.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the chicken for shrimp or steak.
• Use blue cheese or goat cheese in place of the cheddar cheese.
• Add avocado or roasted almonds for extra healthy fats and crunch.

4. Caeser Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3237030974580632/

This salad has a way of making you feel fancy without any of the fuss.

It’s simple, yet elegant and flavorful.

The perfect pairing for a French onion soup.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little bit of crunch, top with croutons or fried onions.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add grilled chicken or shrimp
• Swap out the romaine lettuce for arugula or spinach
• Use a flavored Caeser dressing, like garlic or anchovy

5. Waldorf Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159948224257360169/

This salad is known for having both sweet and savory flavors, which makes it the perfect pairing for French onion soup.

The apples and grapes add a sweetness to the salad, while the walnuts and celery give it a more savory flavor.

I like to top mine with a little bit of crumbled blue cheese for an extra punch of flavor.

Pro Tip: If you want a little bit more crunch in your salad, swap out the celery for some chopped up kale or Brussels sprouts.

3 Changes You Can Make To This Salad:

• Use different types of apples (i.e. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, etc.) to change up the flavor profile.
• Add in some dried cranberries or cherries for an extra burst of sweetness.
• Top with roasted chicken or grilled shrimp for a heartier meal.

6. Thai Chicken Larb Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10766486602613075/

How about something Thai-inspired with your French onion soup?

This salad is healthy, flavorful and perfect for when you’re craving something a little different.

The best part is that it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Pro Tip: I like to use rotisserie chicken to save time, but feel free to use whatever cooked chicken you have on hand.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Use ground pork instead of chicken
• Add shredded cabbage or carrots for extra crunch
• Swap out the rice noodles for vermicelli noodles

7. Tabbouleh Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/849702654685589520/

Your tomato soup just got a whole lot better.

This salad is the perfect addition to any soup because it’s packed with so much flavor.

The fresh herbs, the juicy tomatoes, the crispy cucumbers… it’s hard to resist.

Plus, it’s really easy to make.

Just chop everything up and mix it together!

Pro Tip: If you want your salad to be extra flavorful, add a little bit of lemon juice or red wine vinegar.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Swap out the parsley for cilantro
• Use diced tomatoes instead of chopped tomatoes
• Add some feta cheese

8. Russian Olivier Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/329466529000811248/

Why not try something different for lunch today and have a Russian Olivier Salad?

This salad is awesome because it’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but also pairs well with soup.

The flavors are bright and bold, and the textures are interesting and satisfying.

Pro Tip: For an extra zing, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

3 Changes You Can Make to This Salad:

1. Swap out the ham for another type of protein, like chicken or tofu.

2. Use a different type of potato, like sweet potato or Yukon gold potatoes.

3. Add some chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or dill.

9. Greek Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/314618723981414727/

Tasty (hello, feta cheese) and filling (thank you, Kalamata olives), this salad is the perfect side to a piping hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day.

I love how the acidity of the vinegar cuts through the richness of the soup.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of red wine vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar instead.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add in some chopped up chicken for extra protein.
• Swap out the Kalamata olives for green olives.
• Use lemon juice instead of vinegar.

10. Asian Slaw

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10555380368247392/

Asian flavors truly shine in this slaw.

The perfect balance of salty, sweet, and sour, this salad is a delicious addition to any meal.

I love pairing it with soup because the acidity of the vinegar and lime juice help to cut through the richness of the soup.

Pro Tip: To save time, you can purchase pre-shredded cabbage and carrots.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add diced avocado for creaminess
• Swap out the rice noodles for soba noodles
• Use cilantro instead of mint