Signature salads from the comfort of home.

Published on December 27, 2025

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Credit:

Brie Goldman | Food Styling: Annie Probst

Some restaurant salads inspire such fierce devotion they practically come with their own fan club. We recreated a few of our favorites, matching all their hallmark flavors and textures while slipping in a few smart upgrades that may even outshine the originals. Get ready to rethink your lunch routine.

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Kale Crunch Salad

Credit:

Brie Goldman

A side salad at a fast-food joint is unlikely to make you pull through the drive-thru—but this might be the exception. The secret is a quick massage of the kale, which softens the greens and helps them soak up that maple-Dijon dressing. Thinly shaved Brussels sprouts add even more crunch, and a finish of toasted almonds brings the whole mix over the finish line. Make a big batch; it keeps well in the fridge for a few days so you can enjoy it on repeat.

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Credit:

Brie Goldman

The trick to nailing that classic OG tang is a dressing loaded with Parmesan, Italian herbs, a hit of pepperoncini brine (a ha!) and a spoonful of mayo to give the whole thing body and help it emulsify. Upgrade your at-home rendition with a few fresh additions—like adding romaine to the iceberg and using freshly shaved Parmesan—and suddenly any night can feel like a “more salad, please” occasion. Pro tip: chill the bowls first for the full restaurant effect.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad

Credit:

Brie Goldman | Food Styling: Annie Probst

Panera might only offer this seasonal favorite for a few months, but at home, you can make it whenever the craving strikes. It has all the hallmarks of the cafe’s salad: fresh strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and of course, those mandarin oranges, plus that instantly recognizable sweet-tart poppy seed dressing. Dare we say our version is even better—especially when topped with balsamic-marinated chicken.

Copycat Sweetgreen Chicken Pesto Parm Bowls

Credit:

Brie Goldman | Food Styling: Annie Probst

Fans of Sweetgreen flock to this salad for its bright flavors and hearty mix-ins. No Sweetgreen nearby? No problem. You can hit all the same notes in your own kitchen with a quinoa base, roasted broccoli tossed in hot sauce and crushed red pepper, and seared chicken. The vinaigrette builds off store-bought pesto, elevating it with a few easy tweaks. And don’t forget the za’atar seasoned croutons that give the whole thing that unmistakable crunch.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Credit:

Rachel Marek

This spot-on dupe will earn you a hat tip from Colonel Sanders himself. Chopping the cabbage super fine is the key to replicating that famous KFC texture, and a creamy mayo dressing boosted with vinegar, buttermilk, and just a whisper of grated onion pulls it together into sweet-tangy balance. Let the slaw chill overnight so the cabbage softens slightly and the flavors settle into that signature KFC-style finish.