Sunflower salad is one of the most refreshing, nutritious, and delightful dishes that you can add to your recipe collection! This colorful salad is made with delicious ingredients that come together to create a healthy and flavorful meal that actually has a 'sunflower' look!
The first time I saw this salad was in Ukraine, and I've fallen in love with it since. It's a delicious take on salad and is super versatile. You can change up the ingredients to make it your own but still enjoy the stunning presentation.
Light, refreshing, and nourishing, this sunflower salad is not only delicious but also healthy, making it the perfect choice for a relaxed afternoon lunch or as a side dish to a hearty meal.
Whether you're looking for a quick and easy lunch, a starter for your dinner party, or a healthy and delicious way to round out a meal, this sunflower salad recipe is sure to impress.
Want to learn how to make this sunflower salad? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What is a Sunflower Salad?
- What Makes This Sunflower Salad Recipe Special?
- What You Need to Make Sunflower Salad at Home
- How to Make Sunflower Salad (Step-by-Step)
- Tips for Making the Best Sunflower Salad Ever
- Serving Suggestions for Sunflower Salad
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Sunflower Salad
- How to Store Leftover Sunflower Salad
- Similar Salad Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Super Easy Sunflower Salad (Stunning 'Sunflower' Look!)
- Comments
What is a Sunflower Salad?
Sunflower salad is a sort of salad in which the ingredients are arranged in the shape or design of a sunflower, earning the name. The salad is frequently made up of vegetables, meats, and dressings that are arranged in a visually pleasing way to resemble the appearance of a sunflower.
While the exact ingredients and arrangements vary, a traditional sunflower salad may include lettuce or mixed greens as the basis, with additional toppings placed on top to create the sunflower design.
The petals tend to consist of chips and crackers such as pringles or veggies such as sliced tomatoes or bell peppers.
A sunflower salad's presentation is generally a feature, making it an eye-catching dish for special occasions, potlucks, or parties. It has the perfect combination of taste and aesthetics, giving you a delicious salad you'll absolutely love!
What Makes This Sunflower Salad Recipe Special?
Healthy: This sunflower salad recipe is loaded with vitamins and minerals from all the veggies. It's a great way to sneak in some extra goodies for your body, like fiber and potassium.
Easy to make: This salad may look like a fancy table centerpiece, but it couldn't be easier to make! The prep time to make this delectable side dish is very short.
Fun presentation: Sunflower salad is as fun to eat as it is to make! Kids especially love eating what looks like a giant flower.
What You Need to Make Sunflower Salad at Home
For the Salad:
- Eggs: You'll be using hard-boiled eggs in this recipe which will add a rich flavor and texture to the salad. While making the salad, you will be chopping the eggs coarsely and mixing them with other ingredients.
- Carrots: We'll also need some fresh carrots to prepare the salad. While making the salad, you'll be slicing the carrots into thin pieces and adding them to the bowl to give the salad a crunchy texture.
- Corn: You'll be adding some sweet canned corn to the salad, which will enhance its taste and texture. While making the salad, you'll be mixing the corn well with other ingredients, making sure it is evenly distributed.
- Bologna sausage: You'll be slicing the bologna sausage into thin pieces and adding it to the salad, giving it a savory taste. While making the salad, you'll be arranging the sliced sausage over the salad, making sure each piece is visible.
- English cucumber: To add some freshness to the salad, we'll be using sliced English cucumber for a delicious, fresh flavor.
- Green onions: You'll be using fresh green onions to make the salad more flavorful by adding a mild onion flavor.
- Potato chips: We'll be using potato chips in the salad to add some crunchiness and flavor. We'll arrange it all around our salad for the perfect petal look!
For the Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: We'll be using mayonnaise to make the dressing for the salad. While making the dressing, you'll be mixing the mayonnaise with other ingredients to form a rich and creamy mixture.
- Garlic clove: You'll be using a fresh garlic clove to add some flavor to the dressing. While making the dressing, you'll be crushing the garlic and mixing it with other ingredients to form a perfect blend.
- Salt and black pepper: To give the dressing a perfect balance of flavors, you'll be adding salt and black pepper to it. While making the dressing, you'll be adding the ingredients in the right proportion to get the desired taste.
How to Make Sunflower Salad (Step-by-Step)
Making this delicious sunflower salad is easier than you think. Here's how to make it at home step by step:
To make sunflower salad, start by separating cooked egg whites from egg yolks. Slice the egg whites into small ½-inch strips and place them into a small bowl.
Shred cooked yolks onto a large plate, cover with plastic food wrap, and place both into the fridge until ready for use.
Next, drain and rinse corn in a strainer, and let the water drain before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
Slice bologna, cucumber, peel, and cooked carrots in the same ½-inch strips as the egg whites.
Cut green onion into small pieces. If you're serving right away, mix all the prepped ingredients (except for egg yolks) into a large bowl.
However, if you're waiting to serve, keeping everything separate is best. Cover each bowl with plastic food wrap and refrigerate until ready for use.
In a large bowl, combine egg whites, chives, carrots, cucumbers, chives, and bologna. Add mayonnaise and form a small crater in the center.
Press a garlic clove on a cheesecloth and squeeze 2-3 drops of garlic juice into the mayonnaise crater. Mix the garlic juice into the mayonnaise first, then mix both into the salad.
Add salt and pepper to taste and mix until everything is well mixed. Be careful not to mash the ingredients, but try to keep all pieces unbroken or mashed.
How to Assemble Sunflower Salad
To assemble the sunflower salad, place half of the salad on one large plate and the other half on another plate. Form the salad into even domes.
Sprinkle half of the shredded egg yolks over one dome and the other half over the second dome. Clear off the rims of the plates by using a spoon to move any egg yolks from the rim to the salad.
Insert Pringle's potato chips side by side around the circumference of the salad to create the “Sunflower” look.
The salad may be refrigerated for about an hour before serving if necessary, but it's best to serve right away.
Your delicious Sunflower Salad is ready to be served! With these detailed instructions, making sunflower salad should be a breeze.
Tips for Making the Best Sunflower Salad Ever
Garnish with Pringles potato chips just before serving: To maintain their crunchiness, add the Pringles potato chips as a decorative element right before serving the salad. This adds a playful touch and enhances the visual appeal of the dish.
Ensure the eggs are properly boiled: To achieve perfectly boiled eggs, place them in a saucepan with cold water, bring it to a boil, then remove from heat and let them sit covered for about 10-12 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to an ice bath to cool quickly and make peeling easier.
Achieve a crisp texture with the carrots: For a satisfying crunch, cook the carrots until they are tender-crisp. You can achieve this by either blanching them in boiling water for a few minutes or lightly steaming them.
Serving Suggestions for Sunflower Salad
Serve as a side dish: This sunflower salad would be a perfect complement to any grilled meat or fish, or even as a vegetarian option at a summer BBQ.
Top with grilled chicken: To turn this salad into a hearty meal, add some grilled chicken on top. The chicken will add some extra protein and make this salad even more satisfying.
Serve with pita bread: For a Middle Eastern twist, serve this salad with warm pita bread. Use the pita to scoop up the sunflower seeds, greens, and feta cheese for a delicious bite.
Pair with a chilled soup: This sunflower salad would go great alongside a chilled soup, such as gazpacho or cucumber soup. The coolness of the soup will complement the freshness of the salad.
Make it a wrap: For a portable lunch option, turn this salad into a wrap. Just wrap the ingredients up in a whole-wheat tortilla and enjoy it on the go.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Sunflower Salad
- Mediterranean twist: Give the salad a Mediterranean twist by adding ingredients like Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and diced red onions. Toss the salad with a lemon-herb vinaigrette for a fresh and tangy flavor profile.
- Southwest-inspired: Create a Southwest-inspired sunflower salad by adding ingredients like black beans, diced avocado, roasted corn kernels, and chopped cilantro. Drizzle the salad with a zesty lime-cumin dressing to enhance the Southwestern flavors.
- Nutty crunch: For an added crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle toasted sunflower seeds, walnuts, chopped toasted almonds, or other nuts over the salad. They will provide an extra layer of texture and a delightful nuttiness.
How to Store Leftover Sunflower Salad
Leftover sunflower salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the salad’s freshness, cover it with plastic wrap before storing it, and make sure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. Enjoy!
Similar Salad Recipes You'll Love
- The Best Classic and Traditional Potato Salad Recipe
- Ukrainian Herring Shuba Salad (Layered Veggie + Fish Salad)
- The Perfect Beet Salad (Easy Ukrainian Red Beet Salad)
See all salad recipes.
Recipe Card
Super Easy Sunflower Salad (Stunning 'Sunflower' Look!)
Ingredients
Sunflower Salad Ingredients
- 10 hard boiled eggs
- 4 large - cooked carrots
- 1 can (15 oz. ) - corn
- 14 oz. -bologna
- ½ - English cucumber
- Bunch of chives
- Pringles potato chips (for decoration)
Salad Dressing and Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 cup - mayonnaise
- 1 small - garlic clove (for garlic juice)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
How to Make Sunflower Salad
- To make sunflower salad, start by separating cooked egg whites from egg yolks. Slice the egg whites into small ½-inch strips and place them into a small bowl.
- Shred cooked yolks onto a large plate, cover with plastic food wrap, and place both into the fridge until ready for use.
- Next, drain and rinse corn in a strainer, and let the water drain before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
- Slice bologna, cucumber, peel, and cooked carrots in the same ½-inch strips as the egg whites.
- Cut green onion into small pieces. If you're serving right away, mix all the prepped ingredients (except for egg yolks) into a large bowl.
- However, if you're waiting to serve, keeping everything separate is best. Cover each bowl with plastic food wrap and refrigerate until ready for use.
- In a large bowl, combine egg whites, chives, carrots, cucumbers, chives, and bologna. Add mayonnaise and form a small crater in the center.
- Press a garlic clove on a cheesecloth and squeeze 2-3 drops of garlic juice into the mayonnaise crater. Mix the garlic juice into the mayonnaise first, then mix both into the salad.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and mix until everything is well mixed. Be careful not to mash the ingredients but try to keep all pieces unbroken or mashed.
How to Assemble Sunflower Salad
- To assemble the sunflower salad, place half of the salad on one large plate and the other half on another plate. Form the salad into even domes.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded egg yolks over one dome and the other half over the second dome. Clear off the rims of the plates by using a spoon to move any egg yolks from the rim to the salad.
- Insert Pringle's potato chips side by side around the circumference of the salad to create the “Sunflower” look.
- The salad may be refrigerated for about an hour before serving if necessary, but it's best to serve right away.
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This recipe was originally posted on May 26, 2016 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Larisa says
I love your story behind the cute little flowers :). Will have to give this salad a try. Looks beautiful and definitely reminds me of Ukraine.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you very much Larisa. We absolutely love this salad. I hope you guys like it too 🙂
Tonya says
Very beautiful, Valya! I was thinking how do you put it on the plate and there you have a picture.:) Thank you for sharing your recipes!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Ha, ha! It's not as simple as it looks, but definitely I have a lot of fun. Thank you for stopping by and commenting Tonya 🙂