16 Salads That Feel Like A Meal

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Broccoli Salad With Bacon

Tender, bright green broccoli florets are perfectly paired with smoky, crispy bacon and a satisfying crunch from toasted sunflower seeds. Each bite is packed with flavor and texture, making it impossible not to love—even if you’ve never been a fan of broccoli. The combination of savory bacon and nutty seeds elevates this simple veggie into a dish that’s as irresistible as it is healthy. It’s quick to make, full of flavor, and perfect as a side or a snack. You might even find yourself making it again and again!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Bacon

Poppy Seed, Grape & Chicken Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a refreshing twist on a classic favorite, combining tender pieces of chicken with sweet, juicy grapes for a delightful burst of flavor in every bite. The creamy poppy seed dressing ties everything together, adding just the right balance of sweetness and tang. It’s light enough to enjoy for lunch, yet hearty enough to serve as a standout side at picnics, potlucks, or family gatherings. With its vibrant colors and mix of textures, it’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. Every bite feels fresh, satisfying, and perfectly balanced.
Get the Recipe: Poppy Seed, Grape & Chicken Pasta Salad

Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

This Tuna Waldorf Salad is a fresh and healthy twist on the classic favorite we all know and love. Packed with crisp apples, crunchy celery, and juicy grapes, it combines a delightful mix of textures in every bite. The addition of tender tuna adds protein, making it a satisfying and nourishing option for lunch or a light dinner. It’s quick to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for anyone looking for a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste. Each forkful is a balance of creamy, crunchy, and subtly sweet goodness that leaves you feeling both full and refreshed.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

Fresh Peach Avocado Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

This Fresh Peach Avocado Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing is a bright and refreshing dish that’s bursting with flavor and comes together in just under 10 minutes. Creamy, buttery avocado pairs perfectly with juicy, sweet peaches, while the tangy honey-lime dressing adds a zesty kick that ties everything together. It’s light enough for a quick weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve at summer gatherings or picnics. Every bite feels fresh and satisfying, yet it requires minimal effort to make. Simple ingredients, vibrant colors, and bold flavors make this salad an instant favorite!
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Avocado Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad

This easy and healthy Ricotta Salad is a bright and refreshing way to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce. Creamy ricotta cheese, seasoned to perfection, adds a rich and indulgent touch that pairs beautifully with crisp vegetables and vibrant colors. It’s perfect for summer picnics, backyard barbecues, or a quick, light lunch when you want something satisfying but not heavy. Best of all, it comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a simple yet impressive dish to serve any time. Each bite offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Tuna Cucumber And Ricotta Cheese Salad

Salmon Salad with Bagel

This smoked salmon salad is bursting with all the flavors you love in a classic cream cheese and lox bagel—but without all the carbs and heaviness! Fresh cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant dill create a refreshing base, while crispy gluten-free bagel chips add the perfect crunch. Everything is tied together with a rich, homemade cream cheese dressing that feels indulgent without being over the top. It’s light, satisfying, and perfect for a quick lunch or a colorful appetizer. For a keto-friendly version, simply skip the bagel chips and enjoy all the flavor with fewer carbs.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad with Bagel

Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad

This Easy Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad is the perfect quick and flavorful dinner that feels a little fancy without any fuss. Juicy, tender chicken cutlets are paired with fresh mozzarella and vibrant basil leaves, creating a fresh, satisfying combination. Drizzled with sweet and tangy balsamic glaze, every bite bursts with flavor. It’s light enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve guests. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a colorful, restaurant-quality dish ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad

Smoked Chicken Taco Salad

This salad brings together the bold flavors of taco seasoning with the rich, smoky taste of chicken cooked on a smoker, creating a truly mouthwatering combination. Each bite is packed with protein and fresh ingredients, making it both satisfying and wholesome. It’s a perfect option for a quick lunch or a light dinner when you want something flavorful without feeling heavy. The smoky chicken adds depth, while the seasonings keep every bite exciting, turning a simple salad into a meal you’ll look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Taco Salad

Tuna Nicoise Salad

The Tuna Nicoise Salad is a bright and refreshing dish that perfectly captures the flavors of summer. It’s loaded with crisp green beans, tender baby potatoes, ripe juicy tomatoes, and flavorful tuna, making every bite colorful and satisfying. Simple yet elegant, this salad comes together effortlessly and pairs beautifully with a fresh, crusty baguette on the side. Perfect for a light lunch, a picnic, or a casual dinner, it’s a meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Each forkful is a delightful mix of textures and flavors that will leave you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Nicoise Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

This Mediterranean Orzo & Shrimp Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect as a main course or a delightful side. Tender, juicy shrimp mingle with crunchy chickpeas, colorful vegetables, and bursts of fresh herbs, creating a salad that’s full of texture and flavor in every bite. The easy, zesty dressing brings all the ingredients together, making each mouthful refreshing and satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that looks as good as it tastes and is perfect for a casual lunch, a picnic, or a light dinner. Every forkful is a little celebration of Mediterranean flavors!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Traditional Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki)

This traditional Greek Salad, or Horiatiki, is a vibrant and refreshing medley of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sharp red onions, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Every bite bursts with bright, Mediterranean flavors, perfectly balanced by a bold dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar. It’s a simple dish that doesn’t skimp on taste, making it an effortless addition to any lunch, dinner, or picnic. Whether served as a side or enjoyed on its own, this salad is both satisfying and wholesome, celebrating the fresh, rustic flavors of Greece.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki)

California Steak Salad

This California steak salad is a refreshing twist on a classic favorite, perfect for lunch or a light dinner. It’s piled high with tender, perfectly cooked steak that pairs beautifully with crisp, fresh greens. Juicy strawberries add a burst of sweetness, while tangy goat cheese brings a creamy, savory balance to every bite. The whole salad is finished with a bright, zingy citrus vinaigrette that ties all the flavors together and leaves your taste buds dancing. Each forkful is a delightful mix of textures and flavors that feels indulgent yet fresh and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad

Flank Steak Salad

This Flank Steak Salad is a fresh and vibrant dinner that’s as colorful as it is flavorful. Tender slices of perfectly cooked flank steak sit atop a bed of crisp vegetables, tossed in a zesty Thai-style dressing that wakes up your taste buds. Every bite is layered with the bright flavors of fresh basil, cilantro, ginger, and a hint of Thai chili, giving it just the right amount of kick. Packed with protein and wholesome ingredients, it’s a satisfying meal that feels indulgent without being heavy. Best of all, you can have this delicious salad on the table in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a quick healthy lunch.
Get the Recipe: Flank Steak Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mango Lime Dressing

Savor the bright, fresh flavors of summer with this Grilled Shrimp Salad, featuring juicy shrimp grilled to perfection and topped with a sweet and tangy Mango Lime Vinaigrette. It’s a light yet satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy lunches or easy weeknight dinners. The homemade mango dressing brings a tropical twist that beautifully balances the smoky, charred flavor of the shrimp. Tossed with crisp greens and fresh vegetables, every bite feels refreshing and vibrant. This salad is not just a meal—it’s a little escape to summer on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mango Lime Dressing

Pesto Tortellini Salad

This Pesto Tortellini Salad is a colorful, Mediterranean-inspired dish that bursts with flavor in every bite. Tender, cheesy tortellini is mixed with briny black olives, tangy capers, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, creating a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet notes. Fresh arugula adds a peppery kick, while fragrant basil pesto and a squeeze of bright lemon tie all the flavors together beautifully. It’s a dish that’s just as perfect for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for a lively party, picnic, or potluck. Each bite is fresh, vibrant, and completely satisfying—making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Cobb Salad with Salmon and Everything but the Bagel Dressing

This Cobb Salad with Salmon and Everything But the Bagel Dressing is a fresh, lighter twist on the classic bagel-and-lox combination we all love. Each bite is bursting with smoky salmon, creamy avocado, crisp greens, crunchy red onions, and tangy capers, making it a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The everything bagel-inspired dressing adds a savory punch that ties the whole salad together. It’s a satisfying and nourishing meal that feels indulgent without being heavy. Ideal for anyone craving the familiar flavors of a bagel and lox in a healthier, salad-friendly version.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad with Salmon and Everything but the Bagel Dressing