6 salads you should always order and 6 you can probably skip, according to chefs

Sophia MitrokostasJun 15, 2020, 19:24 IST

Not all restaurant salads are created equally.kiboka/Shutterstock

Insider asked professional chefs for their restaurant salad recommendations, and they shared the best and worst ones to order.
Arugula salads can be fresh and tasty, and Cobb salads are perfect for large appetites.
However, the chefs said to stay away from house salads, Caesar salads, and Caprese salads.

If you're looking for a fresher and healthier restaurant meal, a salad may seem like an obvious choice. Unfortunately, some salads can be overpriced and less than flavorful.

Insider asked professional chefs which salads are usually great to order from restaurants and which ones you should probably avoid.

Here are the best and worst salads to order, according to chefs.

Arugula salads are almost always a tasty choice.

Arugula salads often include some type of fruit like peaches. from_my_point_of_view/iStock

Beet and goat cheese salad is a great sweet and savory dish.

Beets and goat cheese work well together. kiboka/Shutterstock

A Cobb salad is hearty enough to be an entrée.

Cobb salads usually include avocado, a hard-boiled egg, and bacon. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Tabbouleh is a filling and fresh option.

Tabbouleh is a classic Mediterranean dish. Shutterstock

Panzanella is a hidden gem on some menus.

Panzanella is made with crunchy bread. photohomepage / iStock

Grain-based salads are filling and packed with good ingredients.

Adding grains like quinoa makes a salad more filling. joshuaraineyphotography/iStock

On the other hand, ordering the house salad is usually a waste of money.

House salads are sometimes made from leftovers. Shutterstock

Mesclun-based salads are more likely to be slimy.

Mesclun is a salad blend. nuclear_lily/Shutterstock

Skip the Caesar salad unless the dressing is freshly made.

There are raw eggs and anchovies in traditional Caesar dressings. Zoe Miller/INSIDER

Pass on Caprese salad unless tomatoes are in season and the mozzarella is fresh.

Caprese salad is made of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images/Contributor

Ordering tuna salad can be hit or miss.

Tuna salad isn't always fresh at restaurants. Rebecca Fondren Photo/Shutterstock

Taco salads aren't always the freshest salad option.

You might want to just order the tacos instead. Shutterstock

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