Big, Bold, and Satisfying Salads That Eat Like a Meal
Mar 29, 2025
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Salads don’t have to be sad, skimpy, or just a sidekick to something better—these hearty bowls bring the flavor and the substance. Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots, and Cranberries packs a sweet-savory punch, while Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat’s Cheese is the cozy, colorful dish your lunch lineup needs. Need something with bite? Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella and Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad serve up crunch in every forkful. And for pasta lovers, Italian Orzo Tuna Salad and 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad prove that carbs and greens are a perfect match. These salads aren’t just meals—they’re main events.
Table of Contents
- Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots and Cranberries
- Quinoa Salad
- Fattoush
- Coconut Shrimp Salad
- Dilly Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Easy Pasta Salad {with fresh Veggies}
- Pomegranate Rice Salad
- Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella
- Italian Orzo Tuna Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat’s Cheese
- 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad
- Easy Power Lunch Bowls
- Roasted Delicata Squash Kale Salad
- Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad
- Vegan Potato Salad with Mustard Seed Dressing
- Tahini Noodle Salad with Carrots & Chickpeas
- Kale Salad with Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette
- Brussels Sprout & Sunchoke Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato & Cranberry Salad
Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots and Cranberries
This Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots, and Cranberries recipe is a simple, delicious dish that can be served warm or at room temperature. It’s made with pantry staples and a shallot vinaigrette that brings it all together. Perfect for a healthy lunch or side dish!
Get the Recipe: Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots and Cranberries
Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a delightful mix of fresh veggies, herbs, and salty feta. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or vegetarian dinner, it’s both healthy and satisfying! The homemade Italian dressing ties everything together for a flavorful and easy-to-make salad.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad
Fattoush
This vibrant Fattoush salad is a flavor explosion! Featuring fresh herbs, chopped veggies, and crispy pita chips, all tossed in a tangy sumac dressing and served over a creamy yogurt-tahini sauce, it’s a delightful Middle Eastern-inspired dish that’s perfect as a side or a light lunch.
Get the Recipe: Fattoush
Coconut Shrimp Salad
This Coconut Shrimp Salad recipe is a delicious and easy meal. Crispy coconut shrimp is paired with honey mangoes, mini cucumbers, and a citrusy orange-honey dressing for a quick and healthy dish!
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp Salad
Dilly Cucumber Tomato Salad
This Dilly Cucumber Tomato Salad is a light and refreshing side dish perfect for summer. With fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and dill, this salad is bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, perfect for potlucks or a light lunch.
Get the Recipe: Dilly Cucumber Tomato Salad
Easy Pasta Salad {with fresh Veggies}
This Easy Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful side dish perfect for any occasion! It’s packed with fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, and bell pepper, tossed with rotini pasta, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing. It’s a classic go-to for potlucks and barbecues.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Salad {with fresh Veggies}
Pomegranate Rice Salad
This Pomegranate Rice Salad is the perfect refreshing side dish! It’s packed with wild rice, brown rice, scallions, herbs, and pomegranate arils. Feel free to add roasted chickpeas for extra protein.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Rice Salad
Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella
This Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella is the perfect summer salad for picnics and BBQs! Fresh sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and peppery arugula are tossed with crusty bread in a zippy vinaigrette. This recipe is easily made vegan by omitting the optional cheese.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella
Italian Orzo Tuna Salad
This Italian Orzo Tuna Salad is a fresh, zesty, and savory dish that’s blessedly mayo-free. Packed with orzo pasta, tuna, spinach, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a vibrant lemon-Dijon vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a main dish or a make-ahead lunch.
Get the Recipe: Italian Orzo Tuna Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat’s Cheese
This Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese is the perfect fall salad! It’s packed with flavor and nutrients, and it’s sure to satisfy your cravings for something healthy and delicious. The combination of roasted butternut squash, spinach, goat cheese, and a tangy dressing makes this salad a winner!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat’s Cheese
5-Ingredient Pasta Salad
With only 5 ingredients, this pasta salad is super quick to throw together for a light lunch or easy side dish. Featuring whole wheat pasta, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, roasted red peppers, and arugula, it’s packed with fresh Italian-inspired flavor. Feel free to add your favorite protein to make it a complete meal!
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad
Easy Power Lunch Bowls
These Easy Power Lunch Bowls are packed with goodness! Roasted sweet potato, marinated chickpeas, avocado, and kale come together in a tahini lemon dressing for a healthy and filling vegan meal. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
Get the Recipe: Easy Power Lunch Bowls
Roasted Delicata Squash Kale Salad
This Roasted Delicata Squash Kale Salad is the perfect way to reset after a weekend of indulgence! It’s packed with roasted vegetables, nutty farro, chickpeas, apples, and cranberries for a hearty and healthy bowl that celebrates the flavors of fall. Plus, it’s vegan and dairy-free, making it a great option for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Delicata Squash Kale Salad
Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad
This Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad is a fresh and healthy meal perfect for warm weather. The smoky eggplant is complemented by a lemony dressing with smoked paprika, enhancing the overall flavor. It’s a quick and easy dish that caters to various dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and low-carb.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad
Vegan Potato Salad with Mustard Seed Dressing
This Vegan Potato Salad with Mustard Seed Dressing is a fresh and healthy twist on a classic! Mayo-free and tossed with peppery arugula, this light and delicious salad is perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or a quick lunch. It’s also gluten-free and vegan-adaptable!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Potato Salad with Mustard Seed Dressing
Tahini Noodle Salad with Carrots & Chickpeas
This Tahini Noodle Salad is packed with crispy chickpeas, fresh veggies, and a tangy tahini sauce. It’s a simple vegan recipe that’s perfect for a quick lunch or side dish. Plus, it can easily be made gluten-free with the right noodles!
Get the Recipe: Tahini Noodle Salad with Carrots & Chickpeas
Kale Salad with Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette
This kale salad with warm cranberry vinaigrette is the perfect way to enjoy a comforting and healthy salad. The vinaigrette is easy to make, and the combination of flavors is wonderful. Feel free to add some crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese for an extra touch!
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad with Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette
Brussels Sprout & Sunchoke Salad
This Brussels Sprout & Sunchoke Salad is a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect as a side dish or appetizer. Crispy pan-fried sunchokes, shaved Brussels sprouts, and toasted pine nuts come together in a warm, inviting salad that’s both gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly. Add a sprinkle of parmesan for extra richness, or keep it vegan with a dairy-free alternative!
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprout & Sunchoke Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato & Cranberry Salad
This Roasted Sweet Potato & Cranberry Salad is a hearty and healthy dish perfect for fall and winter. Wheat berries and roasted sweet potatoes are tossed with greens, dried cranberries, feta, and a warming apple cider-cinnamon dressing. Enjoy it as a side or a vegetarian main course!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato & Cranberry Salad