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The Main Reason Your Cold Salads Don't Taste As Good As They Should By Haley McNamara Oct. 1, 2025 8:20 pm EST

Ever notice the flavor of your cold salads leave something to be desired? You're probably serving them too cold. According to Matt Harding , chief innovation officer at Piada Italian Street Food , you should be letting your cold salads rest before serving. "Cold temperatures mute flavors. Letting a salad sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving can make herbs, dressings, and vegetables taste more vibrant," says Harding. Add this as another reason why restaurant salads taste better than homemade .

Flavor isn't the only thing that benefits when salads rest at room temperature; texture can too. According to Harding, "Some ingredients (like tomatoes, roas

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