Say goodbye to the notion that salads are just rabbit food—these hearty bowls will redefine your dinner game. Packed with proteins, vibrant veggies, and bold flavors, each salad is a meal in itself. These aren’t your average side dishes; they’re full-fledged dinners that leave you feeling satisfied and happy.
Smoked Salmon Salad
This smoked salmon salad is a nutritious dinner option, with smoked salmon, mixed greens, crumbled feta, juicy tomatoes, cucumber, sweet red onion, boiled eggs, and a savory Dijon mustard dressing.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Seasonal favorites like apples and pomegranates make this chicken and Brussels sprouts salad shine. Brought together with a honey mustard dressing, it’s an easy and filling dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Baby Kale Salad
A quick and easy baby kale salad tossed in a simple tahini dressing. Topped with roasted BBQ chickpeas and apple slices, it’s a complete plant-based meal that’s perfect for a light yet hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad
Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Packed with crispy rotisserie chicken, bright citrus, toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs, and Tuscan kale, this salad is tossed in an orange Dijon dressing. It’s a refreshing and hearty dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Shrimp Caesar Salad
This shrimp Caesar salad puts a spicy spin on the classic with a hint of sriracha in the dressing. It’s an easy, light meal that you can whip up in minutes, perfect for a quick yet satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Caesar Salad
Blueberry White Bean Salad
This white bean salad is mixed with blueberries, basil, mint, and pickled red onions, all coated in a creamy tahini turmeric dressing. Broccoli sprouts, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds add a nutritious boost and a satisfying crunch.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry White Bean Salad
Asian Turkey Burger Salad
This salad features juicy turkey burgers served with a creamy peanut dressing. It’s loaded with Thai flavors, making it a great choice for dinner when you want something filling and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Asian Turkey Burger Salad
Best Easy Steak Bowl with Potato
This steak bowl recipe is perfect for a hearty meal. Tender steak pairs with peppery arugula and rich, creamy cheese, making it a satisfying and complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Best Easy Steak Bowl with Potato
Fattoush Salad Recipe
This fattoush salad is easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients. It’s bursting with flavor, making it a perfect choice for a light and refreshing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fattoush Salad Recipe
Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad
Fresh and satisfying, this Shrimp Louie Salad is loaded with grilled shrimp, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and plenty of veggies. Served with a creamy Louie dressing, it’s great for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad
Salmon Nicoise Salad
This Salmon Nicoise Salad brings the flavors of a French bistro to your dinner table. Packed with crisp greens, wild salmon, hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, olives, and veggies, all tossed in a vibrant lemon vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Nicoise Salad
Panzanella Toscana with Grilled Chicken
Grilled crusty bread, chicken, and peppers come together in this Panzanella Toscana. Tossed with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, and herbs, it makes a beautiful and filling bread salad.
Get the Recipe: Panzanella Toscana with Grilled Chicken
Roasted Vegetable Salad with Quinoa
This roasted vegetable salad combines nutty quinoa, salad greens, and a fabulous maple-balsamic dressing. It’s like three sides in one, making it a hearty and healthy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad with Quinoa
Best Citrus Salad with Greens
Sweet oranges and tangy grapefruit, tossed in a simple vinaigrette over salad greens, create this stunning citrus salad. It’s refreshing and perfect for any season, offering a light yet filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Citrus Salad with Greens
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dinner Salad
Loaded with fresh veggies and spicy roasted Buffalo chicken, this main dish salad is perfect for dinner. It’s a hearty and healthy choice that packs a punch.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dinner Salad
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Salad
This Greek-inspired main course salad features juicy marinated chicken and loads of crisp veggies. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Salad
Burrata Arugula Salad
Creamy burrata cheese, salty prosciutto, fresh peaches, cherries, sautéed corn, and avocado atop peppery arugula greens. Topped with a homemade garlic and herb vinaigrette, this salad is a fresh and filling summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Arugula Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This vibrant salad is perfect for spring and summer. Spinach, arugula, crispy bacon, berries, avocado, candied pecans, and gorgonzola, all drizzled with a creamy poppyseed dressing, make for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Couscous Salad with Lemon Mustard Dressing
This citrusy couscous salad is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It comes together in less than 10 minutes, making it a quick and filling option.
Get the Recipe: Couscous Salad with Lemon Mustard Dressing
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad
This Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad has all the flavor elements of hot wings packed into a filling dinner salad. It’s perfect for fans of bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Turkey Taco Salad
Easy to make and packed with protein and veggies, this Turkey Taco Salad is a meal the whole family will love. Crunchy romaine, juicy tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and lean turkey taco meat come together with a creamy cilantro dressing. Crunchy plantain or corn chips add the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Taco Salad
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
