27 Salad Recipes for Dinner That Are Actually Filling
When you’re craving something fresh but need real sustenance, these hearty salads deliver both. These dinner-worthy bowls pack in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to keep you satisfied all evening.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or throwing together a quick weeknight dinner, each recipe brings bold flavors and enough substance to stand alone as a complete meal. From smoky grilled proteins to creamy dressings and crunchy toppings, these salads prove that eating light doesn’t mean eating less.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
This classic gets an upgrade with charred chicken that adds a smoky depth to the creamy, garlicky dressing. The combination of crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and savory parmesan creates perfect textural contrast in every bite.
It’s incredibly straightforward to prepare- grill your chicken, toss everything together, and you’re done in about 20 minutes. The richness of the Caesar dressing makes this feel indulgent while still being a lighter option than most pasta dishes.
Steak and Blue Cheese Salad
Juicy sliced steak paired with tangy blue cheese crumbles makes this salad feel like a steakhouse experience at home. The peppery arugula and mixed greens balance the richness perfectly, while a balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together.
You can use leftover steak or quickly sear a fresh cut, making it flexible for any schedule. The bold, savory flavors satisfy meat cravings while the greens keep things balanced and fresh.
Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken
Bright Mediterranean flavors shine through with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese. Adding grilled chicken transforms the traditional Greek salad into a protein-packed dinner that’s light yet filling.
The lemon-oregano dressing brings everything together with zesty, herbaceous notes that taste like summer. It’s naturally low-carb and comes together quickly with minimal cooking required.
Southwest Chicken Taco Salad
All your favorite taco flavors come together in a bowl with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and avocado over crisp lettuce. The combination of textures of crunchy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes makes every forkful interesting.
A zesty lime-cilantro dressing or chipotle ranch adds the perfect finishing touch. You can easily customize the heat level and toppings to match your preferences.
Salmon Nicoise Salad
This French-inspired salad features perfectly cooked salmon alongside tender potatoes, crisp green beans, and briny olives. The combination feels elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a Tuesday night.
A classic Dijon vinaigrette brings brightness that complements the rich salmon beautifully. With protein, vegetables, and potatoes all in one bowl, it’s a complete meal that feels nourishing and sophisticated.
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Crispy cabbage, crunchy wonton strips, and tender chicken get tossed in a sweet and tangy sesame dressing that’s absolutely addictive. The mix of textures keeps things interesting, while the Asian-inspired flavors feel vibrant and fresh.
It’s incredibly popular at restaurants for good reason- the combination just works. You can prep most components ahead of time and toss everything together right before serving.
Cobb Salad
This American classic layers bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chicken, and blue cheese over crisp greens for maximum satisfaction. The beauty is in the presentation and variety- every bite can be different depending on what you scoop up.
It’s substantial enough to fuel you through a busy evening without feeling heavy. The combination of proteins and healthy fats keeps hunger at bay for hours.
Thai Beef Salad
Tender sliced beef mingles with fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a spicy-sweet lime dressing that wakes up your taste buds. The balance of flavors of salty fish sauce, tart lime, sweet sugar, and fiery chilies is quintessentially Thai.
Despite the bold flavors, it comes together surprisingly quickly once your beef is cooked. Fresh mint and cilantro add a cooling element that balances the heat perfectly.
Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Succulent shrimp paired with creamy avocado creates a luxurious yet light dinner option that feels special without much effort. A citrus vinaigrette brightens everything up, while the shrimp cook in just minutes for ultimate convenience.
The combination is naturally elegant and works beautifully for date nights or meal prep alike. The healthy fats from avocado keep you satisfied while the shrimp provides lean protein.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Feta
This vegetarian-friendly option delivers serious staying power thanks to fiber-rich chickpeas and protein-packed feta cheese. It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit, making it ideal for meal prep throughout the week. You can serve it over greens or enjoy it on its own as a hearty bean salad.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spicy buffalo chicken over cool, crisp lettuce with creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing hits all the right notes. It captures the flavor of your favorite bar food while being significantly lighter and more nutritious.
The heat level is easily adjustable, and the combination of hot and cold elements is incredibly appealing. Using rotisserie chicken makes this a speedy weeknight option when you’re short on time.
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
This plant-based powerhouse combines protein-rich quinoa and black beans with fresh vegetables and a zesty lime dressing. The textures are wonderfully varied, with fluffy quinoa, creamy beans, and crunchy peppers all playing together.
It works equally well warm or cold, making it versatile for any season or preference. The complete proteins and fiber content mean you’ll stay full for hours without any meat.
Tuscan White Bean and Tuna Salad
This Italian-inspired combination brings together creamy cannellini beans, flaky tuna, and fresh vegetables with a simple lemon dressing. It’s incredibly convenient since you can use canned ingredients without sacrificing quality or flavor.
The white beans add a creamy texture and substantial heft that makes this surprisingly filling. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley brighten everything up beautifully.
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
Sweet and smoky BBQ chicken mingles with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and crispy tortilla strips in this crowd-pleasing bowl. The chopped format ensures you get a perfect mix of ingredients in every bite rather than hunting for toppings.
A tangy ranch or BBQ-ranch hybrid dressing ties all the bold flavors together harmoniously. It’s fun, flavorful, and feels like a backyard cookout in salad form.
Steak Fajita Salad
All the sizzling flavors of fajitas come together over fresh greens with peppers, onions, and seasoned steak. The warm, spiced vegetables and meat over cool lettuce create an appealing temperature and texture contrast.
A creamy cilantro-lime dressing or simple salsa works perfectly as a finishing touch. You get the satisfaction of fajitas without the carbs from tortillas, but you won’t miss them.
Grilled Shrimp and Corn Salad
Sweet grilled corn and smoky shrimp create a summery combination that’s light but surprisingly substantial. The char on both the shrimp and corn adds depth of flavor that elevates simple ingredients.
A citrus vinaigrette with a hint of spice complements the natural sweetness beautifully. It comes together quickly since both shrimp and corn cook in just minutes over high heat.
Chicken Shawarma Salad
Warmly spiced chicken with Middle Eastern flavors like cumin, coriander, and turmeric creates an aromatic and satisfying meal. The combination of crisp vegetables, creamy tahini dressing, and tender chicken hits all the right flavor notes.
Fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon brighten everything up perfectly. It’s a great way to enjoy shawarma flavors without the pita, making it lighter but just as delicious.
Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Earthy lentils combined with caramelized roasted vegetables create a deeply satisfying vegetarian dinner option. The roasting process brings out natural sweetness in the vegetables that pairs wonderfully with the lentils.
A tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds brightness. This salad actually improves with time, making it perfect for preparing ahead and enjoying throughout the week.
Asian Seared Tuna Salad
Restaurant-quality seared tuna with a crispy exterior and rare center sits atop fresh greens with Asian-inspired toppings. The contrast between the warm, seasoned tuna and cool, crisp vegetables is absolutely divine.
A soy-ginger dressing with sesame notes complements the tuna beautifully. While it sounds fancy, searing tuna takes just minutes and requires minimal technique to achieve impressive results.
Santa Fe Chicken Salad
This Southwestern-inspired bowl combines grilled chicken with corn, black beans, peppers, and avocado for Tex-Mex appeal. The layers of flavors and textures make it exciting to eat, with creamy, crunchy, and fresh elements in every bite.
A creamy chipotle dressing or cilantro-lime vinaigrette adds the perfect finishing touch. It’s colorful, nutritious, and appeals to the whole family with its familiar, crowd-pleasing flavors.
Caprese Salad with Grilled Chicken
Classic Italian flavors of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil get a protein boost from grilled chicken. The simplicity lets high-quality ingredients shine, so use the best tomatoes and mozzarella you can find. A drizzle of balsamic glaze and good olive oil is all the dressing you need. It’s elegant, fresh, and comes together in minutes for an effortlessly impressive meal.
Moroccan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas
Fluffy couscous mingles with spiced chickpeas, dried fruit, and crunchy almonds for a North African-inspired feast. The warm spices like cinnamon and cumin create complex, aromatic flavors that feel exotic and special.
The combination of sweet and savory elements keeps your palate interested throughout the meal. Couscous cooks in just five minutes, making this deceptively quick despite its impressive flavors.
Teriyaki Salmon Salad
Glazed teriyaki salmon brings sweet and savory Japanese flavors to a bed of fresh greens and vegetables. The richness of the salmon paired with the lighter vegetables creates perfect balance in every bite.
A ginger-sesame dressing echoes the Asian flavors beautifully. Salmon provides omega-3s and quality protein that keeps you satisfied and energized.
Mexican Street Corn Salad with Grilled Chicken
This takes inspiration from elote, combining charred corn with creamy, tangy toppings and seasoned grilled chicken. The smoky, slightly spicy flavors are addictively good and transport you straight to a street fair.
Cotija cheese and lime create that authentic Mexican street food experience. It’s fun, flavorful, and brings together hot and cold elements in the most appealing way.
Italian Antipasto Salad
This is like an Italian charcuterie board in salad form, with salami, provolone, olives, peppers, and more over crisp lettuce. The variety of Italian deli favorites means there’s something exciting in every bite.
A red wine vinaigrette with Italian herbs ties all the flavors together perfectly. It’s great for feeding a crowd since everyone loves the familiar Italian flavors.
Cajun Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp paired with cooling avocado creates an irresistible flavor combination. The heat from the seasoning is balanced by the creaminess of the avocado and a tangy dressing.
Shrimp cook incredibly quickly, making this a perfect option when you need dinner fast. The bold Louisiana flavors make this feel indulgent while still being light and nutritious.
Thai Peanut Chicken Salad
Creamy, slightly spicy peanut dressing coats tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs for an explosion of Thai flavors. The peanut sauce is rich and satisfying, making this feel indulgent despite being packed with vegetables.
Fresh cilantro and mint add brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully. It’s endlessly customizable with whatever vegetables you have on hand, and the sauce alone is worth making on repeat.
