Salads don’t have to be boring! When I make one of my favorite salads, such as my simple kale salad, I like to serve it in a stylish bowl to show off the gorgeous colors. There are a lot of designs out there, and after making (and eating) many, many salads, I’ve narrowed down the best salad bowls that I use in my kitchen.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite options from wood to colorful bowls and ones for on-the-go salads and large ones for hosting!
Below, you’ll find the 5 best salad bowls that I personally recommend for serving salads all summer long. I hope you’ll find the perfect bowl here, no matter your budget or style!
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: I use this Williams Sonoma Pantry Serving Bowl all of the time. Great quality! – $49.99 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Wooden Salad Bowl: This Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Wood Salad Bowl is beautiful – $69.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Colorful Salad Bowls: These Amelie Assorted Latte Pasta Bowls can also be used for salads. – $72 at Anthropologie
- Best Salad Bowl with a Lid: This Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container is perfect for packing salads. – $16.99 at Amazon
- Best Melamine Salad Bowl: The Kaloh Melamine Outdoor Salad Bowl that I like to use for picnics, potlucks, and dining al fresco – $28 at West Elm
Reviews of The Best Salad Bowls
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Williams Sonoma Pantry Serving Bowl
This white bowl from Williams Sonoma is a staple in my kitchen! The bright bowl is perfect to show off green salads, fruit salads, pasta salads, quinoa salads, and more. It’s also great for entertaining! The porcelain material is durable and the design is neutral enough to go with any kitchen or dining room aesthetic. I also use mine for serving snacks like popcorn, chips, and pretzels. Plus, it’s pretty enough to serve anything in!
In my opinion, it also makes a great gift or wedding registry addition for any salad lover or entertainer.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 4.5″ x 13″
- Material: Quality porcelain
- Microwave, oven, and freezer safe
- Comes in two sizes
- Dishwasher safe
The Pros:
- Clean lines
- Fits a LOT of salad
- Well priced
- Coordinates well with other Williams Sonoma products
The Cons:
- Porcelain could chip
Buy the Williams Sonoma Pantry Serving Bowl:
2. Best Wooden Salad Bowl: Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Wood Salad Bowl
A wooden salad bowl is a classic kitchen piece for any summer party! It’s both homey and a little bit rustic. The natural color will make your salads look effortless and delicious — it’s the perfect thing to serve my shaved Brussels sprouts salad in. This wooden salad bowl comes in three sizes so you can choose the right one for your family, though I prefer the largest option for feeding a crowd. Plus, it’s lightweight for easy serving.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 17” x 6”
- Material: solid Acacia wood
- Three size options
- Sealed with food safe lacquer
The Pros:
- Sturdy
- Tapered shape makes it easy to toss
- Part of Open Kitchen line
- Natural variations in the wood makes each bowl unique
The Cons:
- Hand wash only
- Expensive
Buy the Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Wood Salad Bowl:
3. Best Colorful Salad Bowl: Anthropologie Amelie Latte Pasta Bowls
These shallow bowls might be meant for pasta but I love them for salads as individual serving bowls. The set of 4 comes in a variety of stylish, muted colors from terra cotta to lavender and is made of glazed earthenware. Both dishwasher and microwave safe, they’re great for a side salad or a nutritious lunch (my easy quinoa salad is perfect for that!) and stack for easy storage. You can also get different sized bowls from the brand to complete the set!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 2.25″ x 7.75″
- Material: glazed earthenware
- 5 color options: cream, lavender, pink, terra cotta, and maize
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
The Pros:
- Assorted set available
- Stackable
- Smooth finish
- Similar bowls in different sizes also available
The Cons:
- No bright color options
- Expensive
- Breakable
What Others are Saying:
These bowls have a 4.8 star rating from 20 Anthropologie reviews.
Buy the Anthropologie Shiny Latte Pasta Bowls:
4. Best Salad Bowl with a Lid: Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container
If you bring lunch to work or school or are on the go, this salad container is a must. It stacks easily in the fridge and has a separate container for dressing and all your toppings. These layers allow you to keep the dressing and mix-ins separate from your greens so nothing gets soggy and it even includes a reusable fork. The plastic material is food-grade safe as well and you can wash it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. It would be great to pack my lentil salad in!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 7” x 4.15”
- Material: BPA free plastic
- Comes in three colors
- Fits up to 4 cups of vegetables
The Pros:
- Separate compartments for everything to keep ingredients fresh
- 2 year warranty
- Leakproof and dishwasher safe
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Plastic
- Top compartment can’t store liquids
- One size only
What Others are Saying:
The Bentgo Salad Bowl has a 4.8-star rating from more than 50,000 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container:
5. Best Melamine Salad Bowl: Kaloh Melamine Outdoor Salad Bowl
If you’re serving salad during picnics, potlucks, or dining al fresco, you’re going to need a durable bowl that won’t break if it’s dropped! This one from West Elm has a glossy white melamine finish that adds a little sophistication to a barbecue. The material is BPA-free and completely food-safe, so you can feel comfortable serving it to your loved ones. The bowl itself can hold up to 80 ounces (that’s a lot of salad!), and although it’s not microwave-safe, it is still dishwasher-safe.
It makes a great centerpiece bowl, and I can picture serving my BLT Pasta Salad out of this bowl during a summer picnic.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.1″ x 0.9″
- Material: Melamine
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe
The Pros:
- Doesn’t break easily
- Looks like ceramic
- Easy to clean
- Can match other dishes from the Kaloh collection
The Cons:
- Not microwave safe
- Can scratch over time
Buy the Kaloh Melamine Outdoor Salad Bowl
Other Salad Bowls to Consider
Old Havana Salad Bowl
This is a gorgeous serving bowl! Crafted in Portugal with a unique crackle glaze, this large bowl is great for serving salad in style. It comes in 5 different colors and would work better as a salad bowl for individuals rather than serving to a crowd. The Old Havana Salad Bowl is available at Anthropologie for $42.
WhiteRhino Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
If you love to meal prep a bunch of salads for the week, this set could be a great fit. The set includes glass mixing bowls in three sizes that come with lids that make it easy to bring to a potluck. They are perfect for storing lunch options in the fridge all week and can also be used for baking or other food prep. They aren’t that pretty when set on a table, but they sure are practical and affordable! The Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids Set of 3 is available at Amazon for $31.99.
Maxi Nature Salad Bowl Set
This plastic salad bowl set is ideal for outdoor eating. It’s durable, colorful, and lightweight. Although it’s not as stunning as some ceramic bowls, it gets the job done. If you have a patio or backyard and need something unbreakable, pick up this budget friendly set for summer. It’s both dishwasher and microwave safe as well! The Maxi Nature Salad Bowl Set is available at Amazon for $16.99.
Denmark 3 Piece Serving Bowl Set
If you want a salad bowl that works for more than just salad, this is for you. This porcelain set comes with three different sized bowls that are microwave, freezer, and oven safe up to 400 degrees! That means you can use one for making a dip and one for serving your favorite summer salad to a crowd. The set can be a little bulky for storage, but we love the way they look. The Denmark 3 Piece Serving Bowl Set is available at Amazon for $42.78.
Why You Can Trust Me
I love salad and the 100+ salad recipes on this site prove it! I eat salads on a daily basis and have spent a lot of time making, photographing, and of course, enjoying salads. With all that experience, I realized that not all salad bowls are of the same high quality and wanted to put together a list of the best ones so you can enjoy your salads in style.
This list features salad bowls I’ve personally used as well as ones that have been recommended to me. Like everyone I have limited kitchen space, so I only keep the best salad bowls, which are the ones I’m sharing with you. I also love to entertain and need to have durable pieces on hand to feed a crowd, which is why I’ve considered the material, size, and aesthetics when making my final choice.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Salad Bowl
What to Consider Before Buying a Salad Bowl
Before buying a salad bowl, think about your lifestyle and how often you make salads. Although, for me, a good salad bowl makes me want to eat them more!
Material: If you have kids around, a non-breakable wooden or plastic option might be best. If you want to throw elegant dinner parties, go with something classy like ceramic.
Size: Salad bowls come in a wide variety of sizes, anywhere from 6 to 17 inches in diameter! It’s good to think about if you’ll be eating salads alone or serving some for a crowd. Since bigger bowls take up more storage space that’s something to keep in mind as well.
Aesthetics: Also consider if it’s important for your salad bowl to match your other dishes, especially if you’re creating a registry or doing a kitchen renovation!. Finally, will you be storing this bowl or displaying it in the kitchen on a counter or table? If so, you may want something that will match your decor style!
What is the Best Size for Individual Salad Bowls?
I love a big salad and want to be able to fit at least 4 to 5 cups of vegetables in an individual bowl. A 10-inch bowl would be good for those of us who like to eat a lot of veggies! The smaller Williams Sonoma Pantry Serving Bowl would be great for this!
For a side salad, you’ll want something smaller, about 6 inches. If you’re packing salad to go for lunch, I like to pack a little extra in case you get hungry in the afternoon. You can also pack additional snacks in your salad container if there are some additional compartments like the Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container has.
What Else Can I Use My Salad Bowl For?
There are no rules when it comes to using your serving bowl! I love using my salad bowls to also store and display fruits and vegetables on my countertop and kitchen table. Citrus, especially, looks so beautiful in a wooden or ceramic bowl. You can also use your salad bowl to serve other dishes, like Pasta Primavera, Greek Tortellini Salad, even Garlic Mashed Potatoes, making them a great investment for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
How Do You Clean a Wooden Salad Bowl?
Wooden salad bowls are pretty, but do require some special treatment. Never put a wooden salad bowl in the dishwasher. Instead, hand wash the wooden bowl with warm water and a mild soap. Make sure the bowl is fully dry before storing and never soak it fully, otherwise, the wood will expand. You can also sanitize the bowl with white vinegar if needed and oil it with food-quality block oil if it’s starting to look dry. Luckily, if you care for the bowl properly, it will last you for decades.
The Best Salad Recipes to Serve
Did you find the best salad bowl for you? Now, you need a salad recipe! I love making a big salad for a party. It’s hard to pick a favorite but I love Cobb Salad for an easy and impressive lunch. In the summer, this Tomato Peach Burrata Salad is a showstopper and the Caesar Salad is a classic for a reason. Everyone loves it and you can add grilled chicken or salmon for some more protein. If you’re hosting a taco night, make this Black Bean Salad to add some extra veggies to the table. For serving, I also love these serving tongs, which would look great with any of the bowls
No matter what kind of salad you’re making, I like to add some fun toppings that take things to the next level. I love making homemade croutons and candied pecans to top them with. I often serve dressings on the side to offer more than one option, and a homemade dressing will make a big difference. Here are some of my favorites!
- Caesar Dressing
- Tahini Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Basil Vinaigrette
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
