12 Refreshing Salads That Double as a Meal
Salads don’t have to be just a side dish—they can be the main event! These salad recipes are packed with hearty ingredients like quinoa, proteins, and of course, lots of fresh produce, making them as satisfying as any traditional meal. Whether you’re looking for a light yet filling lunch, a no-cook dinner option, or something vibrant for meal prep, you’ll love these salads.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This black bean quinoa salad recipe should be on the top of your recipes-to-make list! It’s light and bright, satisfying and nutritious, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber, all with tons of layered flavor. Because it can be made ahead, it’s a great salad for everything from picnics to summer cookouts to healthy meal prep salads to get you through the week.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Salad.
Taco Salad
If you love a classic taco salad, you will always be happy to see this recipe on the menu. It’s quick, easy, and always hits the spot. Ground beef cooks super fast, making it a great weeknight option. Put out all of the salad components and let everyone make their own salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad.
Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean pasta salad could be a main dish on its own, and it has pasta, cheese, veggies, and a lovely homemade dressing. This salad has it all with sweet, crunchy, chewy, acidic, and salty flavors in each and every bite. You’re going to love it.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Big Mac Salad
Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main course dinner salad.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.
Cowboy Caviar
Don’t tell anyone that this bean dip is secretly super-nutritious – it is bound to be gobbled up based on flavor alone! Made with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, two types of beans, and a tangy dressing, it’s hard to stop eating this dip! Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a scoopable snack that everyone always adores or serve over diced cucumbers for a delicious salad.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
You’ll love this Greek orzo pasta salad with bright, fresh flavors and satisfying, salty bites! It’s made with classic Greek ingredients like crunchy and crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, salty feta, and fresh dill. Everything is tossed with tender pasta and a red wine vinaigrette for a salad that’s utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Salad.
Southwest Salad
The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
This delicious and festive salad is perfect in colder months and it’s quick and easy to make too. Peppery arugula lettuce with roasted butternut squash or pumpkin pieces – either will work – feta cheese, and crunchy almonds. Drizzle with the bright orange vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad.
Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad
When you’re in the mood for a salad that’s incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what you’re going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.
Best Chicken Salad
The best part of this rotisserie chicken salad recipe? The TEXTURE! Instead of big chunks of chicken and celery, everything is processed together into a pate-like texture that is absolutely perfect. It’s perfect scooped up with crackers and fresh vegetables, stuffed into tomatoes, or in between two slices of good bread for a classic sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Best Chicken Salad.
Lemon Kale Salad
This easy lemon kale salad recipe is made with crunchy lacinato kale, a bright lemon dressing, and extra flavor from crunchy panko and shredded Parmesan cheese. After my cousin brought this kale salad to Thanksgiving one year, it was requested year after year – it’s that good! Add a protein, grain, or beans (or all three!) to balance it out to be a meal.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad.
Roasted Cranberry, Wild Rice, and Kale Salad
Tuscan kale, wild rice, and roasted cranberries are all mixed with a tangy homemade dressing made with apple cider vinegar, shallots, maple syrup, and dijon mustard make for a delicious salad! It has sweet, tart, and savory flavors with a variety of textures and is easily made ahead, making it perfect for prepping ahead.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Wild Rice Salad.
