Big, Bold, and Satisfying Salads That Eat Like a Meal

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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.

Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots and Cranberries

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CousCous with Pistachios, Apricots and Cranberries | foodiecrush.com
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

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

Tossing quinoa with olives, tomatoes, chickpeas, onion, feta, and herbs
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Fattoush Salad over creamy yogurt sauce with a drizzle of olive oil and sumac on a white plate.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

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

The image features a white plate containing mango, fried chicken pieces, cucumber slices, crunchy noodles, and walnuts arranged as a salad.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

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

Tomato with cucumber salad.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

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}

Colorful Side Salad with Veggies
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

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

Brown rice salad recipe in a serving dish with spoon
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Sweet Corn & Arugula Panzanella on a platter with utensils
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Italian Orzo Tuna Salad Recipe
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

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

bowl of butternut squash and spinach salad beside pan of roasted squash
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

5 Ingredient Pasta Salad Recipe -- quick and easy to prepare, and full of the BEST Italian flavors. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just a regular weeknight dinner. | gimmesomeoven.com
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

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

Easy Power Lunch Bowls
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Roasted Delicata Squash Kale Salad
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

grilled eggplant and spinach salad in a bowl with a fork
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

Vegan Potato Salad with Mustard Seed Vinaigrette (No Mayo!) A simple, healthy recipe, great for midweek lunches or make ahead for potlucks and gatherings. #veganpotatosalad #potatosaladrecipe #healthypotatosalad #nomayo #makeadheadsalad | www.feastingathome.com
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

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

A vibrant bowl with soba noodles, leafy greens, sliced cucumber, radishes, roasted carrots, and chickpeas. Chopsticks rest on the side.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Kale Cranberry Salad Recipe | gimmesomeoven.com
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

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

A salad of mixed greens, roasted mushrooms, pine nuts, and fresh herbs is elegantly arranged on a white plate against a subtle background.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

A white bowl contains a colorful salad with spinach, arugula, roasted sweet potato chunks, white beans, cherry tomatoes, microgreens, and crumbled feta cheese, set on a textured black-and-white placemat.
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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