30 Big Salads That Make a Satisfying Meal

Chicken, Cobb, taco, Niçoise, shrimp, salmon, chickpea and lentil salads: 30 big, protein-packed salads hearty enough to be the whole meal.

ByEmma Brooks Hours Hours
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Healthy main dish salads: Cobb salad, Southwest chicken salad and Niçoise salad

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A salad can absolutely be dinner, as long as it is a real meal: plenty of protein, something hearty, lots of crunch and a dressing worth looking forward to. These are the big, satisfying salads I make for lunches and light dinners all year, from classic Cobb and taco salad to shrimp, salmon and plant-based bowls.

Chicken Salads

1
A beautifully arranged classic Cobb Salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, eggs, and blue cheese, drizzled with vinaigrette.
Classic Cobb Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
A classic Cobb salad.
Check out this recipe
2
A colorful bowl of Southwest Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, and cilantro, ready to be served.
Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad
Southwest chicken salad.
Check out this recipe
3
A vibrant Greek Chicken Salad topped with sliced grilled chicken, feta cheese, and kalamata olives in a large bowl.
Greek Chicken Salad
Greek chicken salad.
Check out this recipe
4
A fresh grilled chicken salad with sliced avocado, crumbled feta, and cherry tomatoes in a white bowl.
Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado and Feta
Grilled chicken salad with avocado and feta.
Check out this recipe
5
A vibrant blackened chicken salad with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes in a white bowl.
Blackened Chicken Salad
Blackened chicken salad in about 25 minutes.
Check out this recipe
6
A vibrant Chicken Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad in a large bowl, with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad
Chicken bacon ranch chopped salad.
Check out this recipe
7
A vibrant bowl of Mandarin Chicken Salad with crisp lettuce, shredded chicken, mandarin oranges, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Mandarin Chicken Salad
Mandarin chicken salad.
Check out this recipe
8
A fresh kale salad topped with sliced roasted chicken, shaved parmesan, and pine nuts in a white bowl.
Healthy Roasted Chicken Parmesan Kale Salad
Healthy roasted chicken Parmesan kale salad.
Check out this recipe
9
A fresh kale salad with sliced apples, grilled chicken, and feta cheese in a white bowl.
Kale Salad with Apples and Chicken
Kale salad with apples and chicken.
Check out this recipe
10
A bowl of creamy avocado chicken salad with fresh cilantro and red onions
Avocado Chicken Salad
Avocado chicken salad in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
11
A bowl of creamy corn chicken salad with fresh dill and red onion on a bright table
Corn Chicken Salad
Corn chicken salad in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
12
Meal prep containers filled with grilled chicken, roasted cauliflower, and fresh baby spinach
Meal Prep Chicken Spinach Cauliflower Salad
Meal prep chicken, spinach and cauliflower salad.
Check out this recipe

Turkey, Pork & Taco Salads

13
A beautifully arranged Turkey Cobb Salad with tender turkey, crisp lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs.
Turkey Cobb Salad
Turkey Cobb salad.
Check out this recipe
14
A vibrant bowl of ground beef taco salad with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, corn, avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips.
Classic Ground Beef Taco Salad
Taco salad.
Check out this recipe
15
A vibrant bowl of Pulled Pork, Cabbage and Arugula Salad with a zesty dressing, garnished with fresh herbs.
Pulled Pork, Cabbage and Arugula Salad
Pulled pork, cabbage and arugula salad.
Check out this recipe
16
A fresh BLT Salad with Avocado and Sprouts in a large wooden bowl featuring crispy bacon and cherry tomatoes.
BLT Salad with Avocado and Sprouts
BLT salad with avocado and sprouts.
Check out this recipe

Seafood Salads

17
A vibrant Classic Niçoise Salad platter with tuna, green beans, eggs, and olives
Niçoise Salad
A classic Niçoise salad.
Check out this recipe
18
A bowl of vibrant Tuscan Tuna Salad with flaky tuna, cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil, ready to be served.
Vibrant Tuscan Tuna Salad
Tuscan tuna salad in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
19
A bowl of creamy broccoli tuna salad with red onions and lemon
Broccoli Tuna Salad
Broccoli tuna salad.
Check out this recipe
20
A bright glass bowl filled with chilled shrimp, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber in a lime dressing.
Shrimp Avocado Salad
Shrimp avocado salad.
Check out this recipe
21
A close-up of a vibrant Shrimp, Asparagus and Avocado Salad in a white bowl, garnished with fresh herbs and a lemon wedge.
Shrimp, Asparagus and Avocado Salad
Shrimp, asparagus and avocado salad.
Check out this recipe
22
A colorful bowl of Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on a light background.
Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad
Mango avocado shrimp salad.
Check out this recipe
23
A vibrant bowl of Salmon Avocado Salad with flaky salmon, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and leafy greens.
Salmon Avocado Salad
Salmon avocado salad.
Check out this recipe
24
A fresh smoked salmon avocado salad topped with capers and red onion on a white plate.
Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Arugula Salad
Smoked salmon, avocado and arugula salad.
Check out this recipe
25
A close-up of a creamy crab salad served in a bowl with fresh dill and lemon wedges, ready to be enjoyed.
Crab Salad
Crab salad in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe

Plant-Based & Classic Salads

26
Four glass containers filled with colorful chickpea quinoa salad and lemon-tahini dressing
Chickpea Quinoa Salad Meal Prep
Chickpea quinoa salad meal prep.
Check out this recipe
27
A colorful bowl of Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a light dressing, ready to be served.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean chickpea salad.
Check out this recipe
28
A bowl of French green lentil salad with diced cucumbers, red peppers, and crumbled feta cheese.
Classic French Green Lentil Salad
A hearty lentil salad.
Check out this recipe
29
A close-up shot of warm sweet potato noodles tossed with green lentils, shredded cabbage, and fresh parsley in a ceramic bowl.
Warm Sweet Potato Noodles, Cabbage and Lentil Salad
Warm sweet potato noodles, cabbage and lentil salad.
Check out this recipe
30
A vibrant bowl of homemade Caesar Salad with crisp romaine lettuce, golden croutons, and creamy dressing, garnished with Parmesan.
Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad.
Check out this recipe

How to Build a Salad That Keeps You Full

  • Add real protein: chicken, fish, eggs, beans or lentils turn a side salad into a meal.
  • Include something hearty: grains, potatoes, avocado or nuts add staying power.
  • Mix textures: crunchy vegetables, creamy cheese and toasted seeds make every bite interesting.
  • Dress at the last minute: keep dressing separate for meal prep so greens stay crisp.

FAQ

How long do salads keep for meal prep?

Sturdy salads made with kale, cabbage, grains or beans keep 3 to 4 days with the dressing on the side. Delicate greens are best dressed and eaten the same day.

More ideas: healthy meal prep recipes, Mediterranean recipes and all healthy salads.

More Healthy Recipe Collections

Emma Brooks is the home cook behind The Gentle Bite. After years of juggling long workdays and family dinners, she started sharing the balanced, wholesome recipes she loves to make on busy weeknights, most ready in about 30 minutes with everyday ingredients. Her goal is simple: quick, nourishing meals that feel approachable, with easy swaps for gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein diets.

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