21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (2024)

Home Meal Type Salads 21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes

By Brittany Mullins

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Published May 20, 2022, Updated Nov 21, 2023

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Have salad for dinner with these healthy and substantial salad recipes that are filling, delicious and easy to make!

When most people think of salads they envision a small plate with greens and a few additional veggies or a simple side dish, but I’m here to show you that salads can be so much more than that! With the right toppings you can make a salad that is colorful, bountiful and filling enough to serve as a meal.

Meal-sized salads are totally my thing and I’m all about eating a big ol’ salad for dinner!

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (2)

A while back I shared my guide for how to build a healthy salad, which involves a good source of protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. That said, I realize that a littleinspiration is always nice so I’m sharing this dinner salad roundup with 21 salad recipes that you’ll actually enjoy serving for dinner.

I’ve broken down the salads by protein so you can easily skim the list and choose salads to try based on your favorite protein source(s) and what you have on hand.

I can’t wait for you to try these amazing salads.

Salads With Chicken

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (3)

4.24 from 75 votes

Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad

This blackened chicken Cobb salad is packed with flavor and so simple to make. Plus, it’s great for meal prep and is grain-free, low-carb and keto-friendly.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (4)

3.72 from 38 votes

BBQ Chicken Salad

This BBQ chicken salad has so much flavor with grilled BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, crunchy tortilla chips and a drizzle of both BBQ sauce and ranch dressing.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (5)

5 from 5 votes

Thai Curry Chicken Salad

This Thai curry chicken salad combines fresh pineapple, veggies, thai curry chicken and a creamy dijon dressing. It's fresh, filling and packed with flavor! Gluten-free.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (6)

4.53 from 21 votes

Pear Salad with Walnuts, Avocado and Grilled Chicken

An easy pear salad with walnuts, avocado and grilled chicken. This combo makes for a satisfyingmeal-sized salad that’s perfect for pear season!

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (7)

4.82 from 11 votes

Blueberry, Corn and Chicken Salad

The perfect summertime blueberry corn chicken salad with fresh blueberries, grilled corn, shredded chicken, roasted pecans and a maple balsamic dressing.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (8)

Fuji Apple Salad

This delicious meal-sized salad is inspired by Panera’s Fuji apple salad with fresh apple slices, gorgonzola, tomatoes, pepitas and a white balsamic vinaigrette.

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Salads with Turkey

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (9)

4.23 from 48 votes

Healthy Taco Salad

This healthy taco salad is made with ground turkey taco meat instead of beef and is packed with veggies. It comes together quickly making it perfect for a weeknight meal.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (10)

3.94 from 32 votes

Cheeseburger Salad

Enjoy all the flavor of a delicious burger, but make it low carb with a cheeseburger salad that's loaded with veggies and topped with a honey mustard dressing.

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Salads With Salmon

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (11)

4.65 from 17 votes

Grilled Salmon Salad

The ultimate summer salad with lightly marinated grilled salmon, sliced peaches, tomatoes and grilled sweet corn. The flavors pair together to make a fresh and flavorful entree sized salad.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (12)

4.94 from 43 votes

Superfood Salmon Salad

This salmon salad is loaded with roasted sweet potato croutons, avocado, pickled onions and dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette! It’s an easy go-to meal you’ll love having as part of your weekly rotation.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (13)

4.55 from 33 votes

Mediterranean Salmon Salad

This healthy Mediterranean salmon salad combines romaine lettuce, quinoa, tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese all tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing and topped with a salmon filet. It's perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (14)

4.43 from 7 votes

Pistachio Salmon Salad

This pistachiosalmon salad has a Middle Eastern feel with baby spinach, quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, dates anda flavorful harissa dressing. It’s adelicious meal-sized salad that will fill you up without weighing you down. Gluten-free.

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Salads with Shrimp

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (15)

5 from 3 votes

Caesar Salad with Shrimp

This caesar salad with shrimp is topped with sweet potato croutons, avocado, parmesan cheese and a creamy avocado caesar dressing.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (16)

4.37 from 11 votes

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Grilled shrimp salad with quinoa, broccoli and roasted asparagus! Prepare everything ahead of time and throw it into a bowl for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (17)

No ratings yet

Hearts of Palm Salad with Shrimp

A protein packed hearts of palm avocado salad with grilled shrimp, cilantro and tomatillo avocado dressing. Light, fresh and perfect for summer!

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Vegan Salads

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (18)

5 from 2 votes

Buffalo Cauilfower Salad

Who said buffalo sauce is just for wings? This buffalo cauliflower salad is loaded with cauliflower, crispy chickpeas and topped with a creamy vegan ranch dressing made from cashews.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (19)

4.70 from 10 votes

“Cheeseburger” Salad with Special Sauce

OMG! This “Cheeseburger” Salad with Special Sauce is reminiscent of a Big Mac, but so much better. It’s totally plant-based and made with lentil walnut burger meat and a cashew cream sauce.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (20)

4.80 from 15 votes

Vegan Cobb Salad

A vegan Cobb salad recipe that gives you all of the delicious flavors of a traditional Cobb salad along with 19 grams of plant-based protein! Vegan, gluten-free and a perfect meal-sized salad.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (21)

4.75 from 4 votes

Blackened Tempeh Salad

Plant-powered blackened tempeh salad with fresh romaine, quinoa, red onion, bell pepper, avocado and a creamy orange tahini dressing.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (22)

4.63 from 27 votes

Barley Salad with Chickpeas and Pears

This hearty barley salad is packed with chickpeas, walnuts, crunchy pears, sun dried tomatoes and parsley. It’s such a flavorful combo and is perfect for meal prep and potlucks.

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21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (23)

4.44 from 32 votes

Sautéed Mediterranean Lentil Salad

This Mediterranean lentil salad marries sautéed tomatoes, fresh basil and feta with steamed lentils for a hearty, flavorful vegetarian meal that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare!

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Love these ideas? Be sure to check out all of the popular salad recipes on EBF!

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (24)

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5 from 1 vote

21 Dinner Salad Recipes + Cheeseburger Salad Recipe

By: Brittany Mullins

Have salad for dinner with these healthy and substantial salad recipes that are filling, delicious and easy to make!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 Tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worchestire sauce

Salad

  • 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce, about 2 romaine hearts
  • ½ cup sliced red onion
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup sliced, or chopped dill pickles
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado
  • honey mustard dressing

Instructions

  • Make dressing by blending all of the ingredients together.

  • Place the ground turkey into a skillet over medium heat and cook meat for about 12 minutes, breaking the turkey with a spatula apart as it cooks. Once the meat is browned and fully cooked, stir in 1/4 cup diced red onion, ketchup, Worchestire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. Toss to combine and remove from heat.

  • Prep salads by adding a bed of romaine to each bowl. Top each salad with toppings: seasoned turkey meat, red onion, tomatoes, pickles, shredded cheese and avocado slices. Drizzle on dressing and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1without dressing | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 878mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dinner salads

Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

Collections Lunch/Dinner Meal Type Meal-Sized Salads Recipe Salads

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About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany

21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (30)
21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

Is a salad good enough for dinner? ›

If you follow the healthy salad formula and ensure the meal has plenty of veggies, protein and healthy fat, then it can be a great breakfast, lunch and dinner option. Be cautious of eating salad that is exclusively greens or vegetables, as it may be too low in calories, healthy fats or protein to sustain you.

What is the healthiest lettuce to eat? ›

Romaine lettuce: This lettuce is high in nutritional content. A traditional salad base, romaine lettuce contains healthy amounts of the minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. It also has high amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin K.

What are good ingredients to put in a salad? ›

It's time to mix up your salad toppings for some textural and flavor variety! Toppings like tortilla strips, croutons and nuts offer a pleasant crunch, while creamy, salty cheeses add unique flavor. Of course, meats, beans and tofu add a protein boost, and berries and dried fruits lend a touch of sweetness.

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

It's dinnertime: ZOE members' top recipes
  • Chickpea & broccoli pasta.
  • Lentil & eggplant stew.
  • Veggie shepherd's pie.
  • Harissa traybake.
  • Noodle salad.
  • Cod & salsa salad.
  • Kale salad.
  • Mushroom stir-fry.
Mar 19, 2024

What is the best dinner for night? ›

Here are some healthy dinner ideas:
  • Grilled chicken or fish with roasted vegetables and quinoa or brown rice.
  • Vegetable stir-fry with tofu or shrimp and served with whole wheat noodles or brown rice.
  • Black bean and sweet potato tacos with a side of mixed greens.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with a side of whole wheat bread.
Jan 23, 2023

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams). Same goes for tortilla strips or wontons.

What is healthy food for dinner? ›

Healthy dinner recipes
  • Prawn & harissa spaghetti. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • One-pot chicken & rice. A star rating of 3.6 out of 5. ...
  • Butter bean curry. ...
  • One-pan beef stew with vegetable mash. ...
  • Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal. ...
  • Healthy pad Thai. ...
  • Healthy chicken burritos. ...
  • Sausage & kale minestrone.

Is it good to eat a salad everyday? ›

There is concern that the body does not easily absorb raw fruits and vegetables. Generally speaking, this has proved false. People who eat salad regularly are much more likely to fulfill their recommended intake of nutrients. Eating a salad every day is healthy because you get vital nutrients, fiber, and good fats.

What is the healthiest leafy for salad? ›

Here are 13 of the healthiest leafy green vegetables to include in your diet.
  1. Kale. Share on Pinterest. ...
  2. Microgreens. Microgreens are nutrient-dense, immature greens produced from the seeds of vegetables and herbs. ...
  3. Collard greens. Collard greens are loose, leafy greens. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Cabbage. ...
  6. Beet greens. ...
  7. Watercress. ...
  8. Romaine lettuce.

Are store bought salads healthy? ›

Different microorganisms can contaminate those leafy greens inside packaged salads, including pathogenic E. coli, norovirus, Salmonella, Listeria, and Cyclospora. But the most common microorganism identified in these unfortunate scenarios is E. coli O157:H7, which can potentially cause life-threatening diseases.

Is any salad good for weight loss? ›

Salads made with a variety of fruits and vegetables make the perfect healthy lunch or dinner. That's because they're filled with tons of nutrients that benefit your body, like fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin C. These nutrients can work to lower your blood sugar, regulate cholesterol levels, and help you lose weight.

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