What Salad Goes With Gumbo? (12 Best Salads)

Gumbo is a classic American dish that’s packed with flavor and texture.

From the seafood and okra, to the fragrant spices, it’s a delicious meal all on its own.

But if you are looking to make your gumbo experience even more special, you may be wondering what salad goes with gumbo.

The good news is that there are many salads that pair perfectly with gumbo!

I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite salads to serve alongside gumbo.

Whether you’re looking for a leafy green salad, a creamy potato salad, or something else entirely, these salads will take your gumbo dinner to the next level!

Read Also:

• The 15 Best Spices for Gumbo
• What To Do With Leftover Gumbo (10 Tasty Ideas)

What Salad Goes With Gumbo? (12 Best Salads)

Gumbo is a delicious and hearty meal, but it can be hard to find the right side dish to go with it.

Fortunately, salads are an excellent complement to gumbo.

Here are 12 of the best side salad recipes that will pair perfectly with your next gumbo dinner:

1. Greek Salad

Greek salad is an iconic Mediterranean dish.

It’s a flavorful combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, feta cheese, and oregano that adds a bright and vibrant flavor to any meal.

I like to pair this fresh and tangy salad with gumbo when I want to lighten up the heartier flavors.

2. Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic Italian creation made from crisp Romaine lettuce combined with oil-based dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.

This crunchy salad provides great texture contrast for sausage gumbo or other heartier dishes.

Plus it’s delicious on its own as well!

3. Coleslaw

Coleslaw makes an easy side dish for many heartwarming meals, including gumbo.

For me, it always brings a smile because it’s perfectly creamy without being overly rich – thanks to the mixture of cabbage, mayonnaise (or yogurt), vinegar, and spices such as cumin or caraway seeds.

The subtle sweetness really complements spicy dishes like gumbo too!

4. Caprese Salad

The traditional Italian classic Caprese salad provides a perfect balance of bright acidity and umami flavor.

This simple salad consists of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil and is dressed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

I love to pair it with gumbo for the contrasting creamy flavors and freshness that perfectly complements the spiciness of the soup.

5. Potato Salad

Potato salads are my go-to side dish when I want something hearty but still light enough not to feel heavy after eating it.

A combination of cooked potatoes, vegetables, eggs, herbs, mayonnaise, or vinaigrette provides a tasty accompaniment to gumbo.

Plus, adding bacon crumbles or pickles can add an extra layer of savory goodness that adds another dimension to the meal.

6. Spinach Salad

Spinach salads are both healthy and delicious; they always bring life – and color – to any dinner table!

By combining baby spinach leaves with different ingredients such as feta cheese cubes, cherry tomatoes halves nuts, or mushrooms you will get a colorful flavorful masterpiece that pairs well with heartier soups like gumbo which are packed full of spices, as well as lean proteins like shrimp or chicken pieces making all those flavors, come alive!

7. Waldorf Salad

Waldorf salad is a classic side dish that brings together the flavors of sweet and savory. I love combining crunchy apples, celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and walnuts to create this colorful salad.

It’s perfect with gumbo because it adds lightness and acidity to the deep flavor of seafood. Plus, eating it always reminds me of family reunions where my relatives gathered around tables piled high with home-cooked dishes like gumbo and Waldorf salad.

8. Tomato Cucumber Salad

Tomato cucumber salad is a tried-and-true side dish in my house – it goes perfectly alongside any heartier meal such as gumbo.

Juicy tomato slices are tossed with crisp cucumbers, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, olives, oregano leaves, and olive oil glaze for some added sweetness – what’s not to love about this simple yet satisfying summertime favorite?

9. Pesto Potato Salad

Every time I make pesto potato salad I’m reminded why this delicious combination has been so popular for so many years – creamy potatoes mixed with fragrant basil pesto bubbling over with tangy parmesan holds a special place in millions of people’s hearts (including mine!).

This hearty yet refreshing side dish is fantastic when served alongside rich meals like gumbo – what could be better?!

10. Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese, and Honey Balsamic Dressing

This salad is a showstopper, combining the earthy sweetness of roasted beets, nutty notes from toasted walnuts, creamy goat cheese, and zesty honey balsamic dressing.

Whenever I serve this salad paired with my favorite gumbo dish, everyone’s eyes light up in delight– it looks as good as it tastes!

11. Chickpea Salad

For those looking for a healthier option to pair with their gumbo entrée, chickpea salad is always a crowd-pleaser.

It’s packed full of plant-based protein and fiber from cooked chickpeas combined with crunchy celery, onion, and fresh herbs like parsley and green onions.

A little olive oil gives it healthy monounsaturated fats that balance out all the flavors.

12. Quinoa Salad

Although quinoa is technically not a grain but seed; quinoa salads are one of my favorite dishes no matter what meal or main dish I’m serving alongside them.

They’re light yet filling at the same time thanks to their high protein content m mixed with veggies such as bell peppers or tomatoes for an extra punch of vitamins.

And let’s not forget about that touch of citrus – lemon juice transforms any bland quinoa bowl into something next level!