23 Hearty Salad Recipes Perfect for Your Next Dinner
Make a meal out of your greens (and reds and oranges, too).
By Catherine Lo
Salads are normally considered a leafy introduction to your meal, something you eat on your way to dinner's main attraction. That or a way to atone for eating that slice of cake the previous night. But the best salad recipes can be speedy, delicious, and, dare we say, exciting. Heck, they can be a meal of their own when packed with savory substantial ingredients.
If it’s filled with proteins or grains (or both!), a salad can become a filling and satisfying dinner choice, especially after an active day. Salad recipes with chicken, steak, sausage, or shrimp will bulk up your salad bowl. And if you’re looking for vegetarian salad recipes, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for just a pile of lettuce. The addition of protein-packed beans, grains, eggs, and — if you eat them — flavorful cheeses, will take your greens to the next level.
These healthy salad recipes are flavorful and will change your idea of salad from a diet food or side dish to a gratifying dinner choice. Say goodbye to boring old mesclun-and-dressing combos and hello to your new favorite meal. Vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, and meat-eaters alike will enjoy these hearty healthy additions to the table
Steak and Rye Panzanella
Caraway seeds and fennel add depth and flavor to this bread-based salad.
Barley Salad with Strawberries and Buttermilk Dressing
Cooking barley in your instant pot will cut down on prep time for this meat-free main.
Get the recipe for Barley Salad with Strawberries and Buttermilk Dressing.
White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Tons of fresh basil brightens this easy vinaigrette. Make extra and drizzle it over grilled chicken, shrimp, and more.
Get the recipe for White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette.
Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Forget the tortillas — this fajita salad is filling and satisfying, sans the carbs.
Get the recipe for Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette.
Korean Steak Salad with Sugar Snaps and Radishes
A savory soy-chile dressing with a hint of sweetness doubles as a glaze to give the steak an extra kick.
Get the recipe for Korean Steak Salad with Sugar Snaps and Radishes.
Ratatouille Salad
Your favorite veggie dish gets a salad upgrade with mozzarella and sourdough toast.
Steak Salad with Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
Roasting the cauliflower in a hot oven brings out its inherent sweetness. Tossing it in a salad chock-full of fresh arugula, seared sirloin, and dried cranberries makes it irresistible.
Get the recipe for Steak Salad with Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette.
Tex-Mex Chicken Salad
The creaminess in this dressing comes from a touch of low-fat sour cream.
Get the recipe for Tex-Mex Chicken Salad.
RELATED: 20 of the Best Grilled Chicken Recipes for Your Next Outdoor Gathering
Wedges with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Buttermilk Dressing
Loaded Iceberg wedges taste even better with a drizzle of our creamy buttermilk dressing.
Get the recipe for Wedges with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Buttermilk Dressing.
Salmon Niçoise Salad
Eggs, potatoes, and green beans give this salmon-topped salad texture and flavor.
Grilled Watermelon Salad with Steak and Tomatoes
Charred watermelon only enhances juicy sirloin.
Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon Salad with Steak and Tomatoes.
Spinach, Potato, and Corn Salad
This simple summer salad is fresh and filling.
Grilled Caesar Salad Flatbread
Eat your greens served atop a slice of chewy flatbread.
Fajita Salad with Charred Jalapeño Dressing
Spice up your typical salads with hearty ingredients and zesty dressing.
Get the recipe for Fajita Salad with Charred Jalapeño Dressing.
Shrimp Salad with Crispy Chorizo and Almonds
Crispy bits of chorizo beat out croutons any day.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Salad with Crispy Chorizo and Almonds.
Muffaletta Cobb Salad
Toasted salami and vegetables make this twist on a cobb salad a fresh new summer meal.
Beet, Tangerine and Steak Salad
You don't have to cut red meat from your diet: Portions and leaner cuts are key. Pairing steak with oranges and beets helps keep this salad light and refreshing, yet totally satisfying.
Get the recipe for Beet, Tangerine, and Steak Salad.
RELATED: 23 Satisfying Steak Dinners for Easy Weeknight Meals
Steak with Lentil and Grapefruit Salad
This colorful and delicious addition to your table is surprisingly low in calories and packed with fiber.
Apple, Farro and Bacon Salad with Warm Feta Cheese
You can double the farro, let it cool and freeze flat in resealable plastic bags. When ready to use, transfer the frozen farro to a strainer and pour boiling water over it. Stir into soups and stews, or toss with sautéed onions and herbs for an easy side.
Get the recipe for Apple, Farro, and Bacon Salad with Warm Feta Cheese.
Shaved Squash Salad
No boring mesclun here: Black-eyed peas and grilled green onions add a Southern kick.
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