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For most people, salads are usually just dull and tasteless. I mean, who loves eating them when steaks, pizza, and creamy macaroni and cheese are sitting right at the corner?
But they are a fantastic way to get your daily dose of greens. They’re low in calories and packed with vitamins, so you can eat a ton without getting fat.
Anyways, if you want to eat a salad but don’t want to go for something boring, here are some hearty salad recipes you should check out immediately. I’ll tell you right off the bat that these aren’t your usual boring salads.
They’re not even salads, but rather delicious and filling dishes that offer every vegetable on your wish list at once!
Let’s get greeny!
Easy Hearty Salad Recipes
9. Vegan Cobb Salad With Coconut Bacon
This vegan Cobb Salad is a fun twist on the classic American dish. Instead of using chicken, you use seitan bacon and avocado.
We combine lettuce, tomato, onion, and avocado with seitan bacon and coconut milk in this salad. The result is a salad rich in protein and flavor but low in fat.
It makes for a great meal when you’re looking to cut down on the fat while still enjoying your favorite foods.
You will need the following recipe:
- 1 small head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 small cucumber — thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini peeled into ribbons
- 1 ear of corn — grilled, kernels sliced off the cobb
- 1 avocado —pitted and diced
- 12 to 14 cubed ounces of extra-firm tofu
- ½ cup coconut “bacon”
8. Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad
This Brussels Sprout Salad is the perfect side dish for so many meals. It’s a great way to take advantage of the green goodness that comes with this time of year, and it’s full of flavor!
The salad starts with some brussels sprouts, quickly cooked in a pan with butter and lemon juice. Then they’re tossed with shredded parmesan cheese, toasted almonds, and fresh parsley before being served cold.
7. Broccoli Pasta Salad
This broccoli pasta salad is a real crowd-pleaser.
It’s got all the veggies you love, a light tuna dressing, and just enough to fill you up without weighing you down.
The key is to get the noodles right. The best ones are the ones that don’t disintegrate in your mouth. And if you’re using whole wheat pasta, make sure they’re not too hard—they can get kind of dry.
Ingredients
- 3 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 cup cut green beans
- 2 cups uncooked gluten-free fusilli pasta
- Chop 4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- Thinly sliced 1 small zucchini and cut into half moons
- 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Lemon Tahini dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Reserve more for squeezing
- 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons water
6. Sesame Soba Noodles
Sesame Soba Noodles are a traditional Japanese dish with soba noodles from buckwheat and wheat.
Buckwheat is a type of cereal grain that has been grown since ancient times in Japan. It’s nutritious, high in protein and fiber, and low in fat. It’s also gluten-free!
These sesame soba noodles are delicious and infused with a healthy dose of protein to keep you full and energized!
Whether you’re looking for something quick and tasty or something that will make your body feel good, these noodles are just what the doctor ordered.
What you need are:
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tamari, more for serving
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup or honey for the sesame dressing
And for the Soba Noodles:
- 6 ounces of soba noodles
- Sesame oil, for drizzling
- 2 avocados, sliced
- Squeezes of lemon
- 2 cups blanched snap peas
- ¼ cup edamame
- 1 watermelon radish very thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- Sesame seeds
5. Healthy Taco Salad
As the weather turns cooler, it’s time to get into the mood for some taco night!
This one is made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It’s easy to make and will keep you on your toes when it comes to how you can add more vegetables or even different protein options. The possibilities are endless!
Although the common ingredients for this salad are:
- 2 corn tortillas sliced into strips
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- 2 red radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- chopped 1 medium head of romaine lettuce
- Drained and rinsed ½ cup of cooked black beans
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes and pico de gallo
- Jalapeno slices, optional
- The creamy avocado variation of Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Sea salt
- Lime wedges, for serving
Shiitake Taco “Meat”
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra-virgin)
- 8 ounces of steamed and diced shiitake mushrooms
- 1 cup crushed walnuts
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
4. Grilled Romaine Vegan Caesar Wedges
We all know that a good Caesar salad is one of the best things in life. The perfect balance of crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, and salty croutons?
But did you know that this golden classic can be made vegan by swapping out the anchovies for a simple mix of nutritional yeast and lemon juice?
Here’s our take on the classic salad: we start with romaine lettuce, which we char on the grill until crispy and delicious.
Then we mix in some vegan mayonnaise (or cashew cream!), lemon juice, and nutritional yeast for that signature Caesar flavor.
We finish it with croutons made from gluten-free bread (you can make them yourself!).
And if you want to get your money’s worth, pair this with a side of our Spicy BBQ Tempeh Sandwich!
3. Kale Salad With Carrot Ginger Dressing
Kale salad with carrot ginger dressing is a healthy, delicious salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s got the crunch of carrots and the sweetness of honey, all topped off with a fresh ginger dressing.
This recipe is simple and quick to put together—just toss it all together, and you’re ready to go!
For the Carrot Ginger Dressing, you’d need:
- ½ cup chopped roasted carrots, from 3/4 cup raw carrots
- 1/3 to ½ cup of water
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
And as for the Salad:
- 1 batch of roasted Chickpeas
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 bunch of stems removed curly kale and leaves torn
- ½ teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Grate 1 small red beet
- Thinly sliced ½ watermelon radish
- Cubed 1 avocado
- Toasted ¼ cup pepitas
- Grate 1 small carrot
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
2. Greek Salad
A Greek Salad is a way to combine all of Mediterranean cuisine’s classic flavors into one delicious dish. The base consists of cauliflower and cucumber, both low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals.
Greek Salad also includes olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, and other ingredients that make it a great source of protein.
On top of that, this type of salad is a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight or if you’re on a diet because it’s high in fiber and low in calories.
To make the perfect Greek Salad, you MUST have the following:
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano, more for sprinkling
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the salad
- 1 English cucumber sliced ¼-inch thick, lengthwise and seeded
- 1 green bell pepper —chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 5 ounces feta cheese cut into ½-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves
1. Spicy Watermelon Tomato Salad
Watermelon and tomato salad is one of those summertime dishes that are just so refreshing.
This salad is a classic pairing of watermelon, tomatoes, jalapeno, basil, avocado, and toasted cashews, all working hand in hand to provide a more pronounced flavor in one bowl.
So here is what you need:
- 3 heirloom tomatoes — sliced into wedges
- 5 cups of cut watermelon in 2-inch triangles
- 1 thinly sliced jalapeño
- Few Thai chiles (optional)
- 2 tablespoons of regular or Thai basil
- 2 tablespoons toasted cashews
- ½ avocado, diced
- Sea salt, to taste, if desired
- Lime wedges, for serving
As for the dressing:
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger
Mix well with the tamari, lime juice, ginger, vinegar and garlic in a small bowl.
Then, arrange the watermelon, tomatoes, and jalapeños on a platter.
Drizzle the salad with dressing, then top with chopped basil and cashews. Add diced avocado to taste—and squeeze on some fresh lime juice before serving.
Related Posts
Hearty Salad Recipes
Here are some hearty salad recipes you should check out immediately.
Ingredients
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Healthy Taco Salad
Greek Salad
Directions
- Pick your favorite recipe.
- Gather the necessary ingredients.
- Make your own hearty salad recipe in 30 minutes or less.
Conclusion
Salads are always on the menu no matter what time of year it is, from fresh greens in the spring and summertime to hearty root vegetables in the winter.
There’s no time of year when the salad isn’t welcome at any meal or snack time or as the perfect complement to a decadent dinner entrée.
So take a walk on the healthy side with these hearty salad recipes.
The main takeaway here is: eat your greens!
Not only will this help keep you healthier, but veggies can be just as delicious as the creamier, fattier foods we sometimes get sick of.
