36 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling
No sad desk lunches allowed.
Reboot your lunch routine with these healthy salads that offer all the nutritional benefits of heaps of greens (reds and oranges, too), yet are satisfying and truly delicious. No matter which types of salads you crave, make sure to start with a healthy salad dressing, preferably one that’s homemade. From there, your choices abound: Looking for vegetarian recipes? Want to make an (easy) weeknight dinner for the whole family? Planning on using your salad as a side dish to supplement your favorite seared pork recipes or even store-bought rotisserie chicken? We got you.
So what are the healthiest salads? You can choose a wide variety of veggies — the more colorful the better — to help ensure that you get an array of nutrients, and look for ones that are high in fiber, which will keep you feeling satisfied. Use creamy dressings sparingly, and make judicious use of cheese: pick more flavorful types, like feta or parm, that will pack a punch even with small amounts. Instead of croutons, try a handful of sunflower seeds or pepitas. Herbs are perfect for adding flavor without any fat, just make sure to give 'em a wash and dry, especially if they're a little sandy.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad With Tahini Vinaigrette
Roasting the squash and onions intensifies their sweetness without adding any extra sugar.
Get the recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette »
Radicchio Salad With Roasted Fennel and Shrimp
Makes this full-flavored salad even more of a meal by serving over sourdough toast.
Get the recipe for Radicchio Salad With Roasted Fennel and Shrimp »
Greek Salad Recipe
Omitting the optional feta cheese means you could go full vegan with this taste-of-summer salad.
Salmon With Grapefruit and Lentil Salad
Serve the salad on its own for a protein-packed lunch or add seared salmon for a quick dinner.
Get the recipe for Salmon with Grapefruit and Lentil Salad »
Seared Steak and Rye Panzanella
For those days when you're extra hungry, but still need your greens.
White Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Vinaigrette
A classic combo gets an update with a fragrant basil dressing.
Get the recipe for White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette »
Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Lemon Herb Sauce
Add some chickpeas to the relish to turn this warm side dish into a filling vegetarian main.
Get the recipe for Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Lemon Herb Sauce »
Salmon Niçoise Salad
With olives, hard-boiled egg, potatoes and green beans, this is a great make-ahead lunch you can pack on the go.
Spring Salad Recipe With Apricot Vinaigrette
This gorgeous side salad uses dried apricots for a sweet and tangy accent.
Get the recipe for Spring Salad Recipe with Apricot Vinaigrette »
BBQ Chickpea and Grilled Nectarine Salad
Grilled nectarines for the win!
Get the recipe for BBQ Chickpea and Grilled Nectarine Salad »
Vegan Caesar Salad
This is a crowd-pleasing lunch that anyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary preferences (meat lovers, you’ll love this too!).
Roasted Squash, Pork, and Kale Salad With Cherries
This elegant dinner salad can be on the table in 30 minutes!
Tomato, Peach & Basil Salad With Italian Sausages
Summer, on a plate! Serves sausages on the side, or not at all.
Get the recipe for Tomato, Peach & Basil Salad With Italian Sausages »
Charred Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Beat the winter blues with this tropical salad reminiscent of a resort vacation.
Mixed Green and Herb Toss Salad
This might be the prettiest side salad we've ever seen thanks to those edible flowers.
Green Goddess Carrot Salad
Colorful carrots are the star of this easy-to-make dish (with homemade green goddess dressing!).
Chickpea Pasta Salad in a Jar
Stack your salad with the dressing at the bottom and the greens at the top to avoid a sad and soggy desk lunch.
Romaine Salad With Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette
We're topping all of our salads with toasted hazelnuts from now on.
Get the recipe for Romaine Salad With Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette »
Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad
The combo of creamy cheese and avocado really complement the sharpness of the arugula.
Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Salad
Roasted veggies are the best way to bulk up your salad so you stay full longer.
Gabriella is a freelance writer and recipe developer based in Lakeland, Florida. She writes a weekly column for Cool Beans, a climate-action recipe newsletter on Substack from the creators of one5c. She's also the co-owner of Bandidas Bake Shop, a bakery and cafe in Lakeland, Florida. Before returning to the panhandle, she spent a decade in NYC working in test kitchens for Epicurious, Good Housekeeping, and Cherry Bombe. She also served as the Culinary Director and Head Baker at the beloved Smith Canteen coffee shop in Brooklyn.
When to Drink Electrolytes, According to Experts
The 6 Best Energy Gels for Runners
What Are the Benefits of Creatine for Runners?
The Best Carbs for Runners
