These hearty salads prove you don’t need meat to make a meal satisfying. They’re packed with real ingredients, bold flavor, and enough texture to keep things interesting. Even the most skeptical eaters won’t be asking what’s missing. These 20 recipes are simple, filling, and the kind of dishes people actually want to eat.
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning takes about 10 minutes to make and brings a nutty, crunchy twist to your usual tomato salad. It’s made with ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a generous sprinkle of dukkah, a Middle Eastern spice and seed blend. The flavor is fresh, earthy, and just a little bit smoky from the seasoning. It works well as a light lunch or a bold side dish.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning
Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad
Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad is ready in just 15 minutes and packs a punch of flavor. It combines shredded napa cabbage, garlic, chili oil, and vinegar for a crisp, tangy, and spicy bite. The salad is light but layered, with just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s a fast, flavor-forward dish that doesn’t need anything extra.
Get the Recipe: Hot And Sour Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad
Korean Kohlrabi Salad
Korean Kohlrabi Salad takes about 20 minutes to make and adds a cool crunch to any plate. It features shredded kohlrabi tossed with garlic, gochugaru, and a splash of vinegar. The flavor is spicy, sharp, and just a bit sweet, perfect for cutting through richer dishes. It’s a bold, refreshing way to enjoy a lesser-used vegetable.
Get the Recipe: Korean Kohlrabi Salad
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios takes just 10 minutes and brings bold flavor with very little effort. It uses segments of citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit, sliced chilies, and crunchy pistachios. The flavor is juicy, tart, and spicy with a nutty finish. It’s a quick way to brighten up your table without needing anything heavy.
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Arugula Salad with Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds
Arugula Salad with Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds takes about 15 minutes to make and offers a mix of bitter, sweet, and creamy flavors. The salad includes peppery arugula, crisp endive, soft mozzarella, crunchy pecans, and tart pomegranate seeds. Every bite balances texture and flavor without feeling too heavy. It’s a solid pick when you want something that feels complete without meat.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Salad with Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, and Pomegranate Seeds
Tunisian "Tirshi" Squash Salad
Tunisian "Tirshi" Squash Salad takes about 30 minutes and brings warmth and spice to the table. It’s made with cooked squash, chickpeas, garlic, and North African spices like cumin and harissa. The texture is soft but hearty, and the flavor leans savory with a touch of heat. It’s the kind of dish that surprises people with how filling it is.
Get the Recipe: Tunisian "Tirshi" Squash Salad
The Best Fall Salad
The Best Fall Salad is ready in around 20 minutes and brings together seasonal ingredients in a no-fuss way. It typically includes leafy greens, roasted vegetables, fruit, and nuts for a solid mix of texture and flavor. The result is a slightly sweet, earthy salad that feels like autumn in a bowl. It holds up on its own, no meat needed.
Get the Recipe: The Best Fall Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad takes about 35 minutes and is all about soft, roasted chunks of sweet potato paired with something fresh. Ingredients often include herbs, onion, and a tangy vinaigrette to pull it all together. The salad is sweet, savory, and grounded, with just the right amount of bite. It makes a great side or main when you want something warm and sturdy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad is a quick 10-minute salad that keeps things simple and refreshing. It’s made with sliced cucumbers, dill, vinegar, and a bit of sour cream or yogurt. The flavor is cool, creamy, and just tangy enough to keep things interesting. It’s a classic salad that works on its own or next to anything else on the table.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad takes around 35 minutes and delivers a mix of sweet, earthy, and creamy flavors. It combines roasted beets, sliced apples, goat cheese, and nuts over a bed of greens. The result is a balanced salad with tender, crisp, and smooth textures all at once. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad
Spring Fiddlehead Salad With Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing
Spring Fiddlehead Salad with Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing takes about 25 minutes and highlights fresh, seasonal greens. It includes blanched fiddleheads, fresh herbs, and a creamy, tangy dressing made with kefir. The flavor is bright, slightly grassy, and just sour enough to wake up your palate. It’s a great way to use spring produce in a more filling way.
Get the Recipe: Spring Fiddlehead Salad With Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing
Circassian Fried Cheese With A Middle-Eastern Field Salad
Circassian Fried Cheese with a Middle-Eastern Field Salad takes about 25 minutes and pairs salty, crispy cheese with a fresh salad base. The salad includes tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and a simple lemony dressing. It’s crunchy, rich, and refreshing all at once. The fried cheese really makes it feel like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Circassian Fried Cheese With A Middle-Eastern Field Salad
Fried Halloumi Salad
Fried Halloumi Salad comes together in about 20 minutes and features golden, pan-fried halloumi over fresh greens. You’ll usually find tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette in the mix. The flavor is salty, creamy, and satisfying, thanks to the halloumi’s bold bite. It’s a salad that doesn’t feel like one.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad
Israeli Salad
Israeli Salad takes just 10 minutes and keeps it simple with finely chopped fresh vegetables. It typically includes tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil. The flavor is clean, crisp, and bright, with nothing weighing it down. It’s a fast salad that adds freshness to any meal or works on its own.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Salad
Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks
Bulgur Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Leeks takes about 40 minutes and brings together grains and roasted vegetables in a hearty mix. It’s made with cooked bulgur, sweet roasted squash, caramelized leeks, and fresh herbs. The flavor is nutty, sweet, and savory with a chewy bite from the bulgur. It’s a warm, filling salad that doesn’t leave you wanting more.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash And Leeks
Green Bean Tomato Salad
Green Bean Tomato Salad takes around 15 minutes to make and combines two familiar ingredients in a simple, sturdy dish. It’s made with crisp green beans, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette. The flavor is clean and fresh with just enough acidity to make it pop. It works well as a side or a no-fuss lunch.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad
Roasted Bell Pepper Salad
Roasted Bell Pepper Salad takes about 25 minutes and centers around sweet, soft strips of roasted pepper. It usually includes olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs for added flavor. The taste is mellow, smoky, and a little tangy, thanks to the simple dressing. It’s a great make-ahead salad that gets better as it sits.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Bell Pepper Salad
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta is ready in 10 minutes and fills you up without feeling heavy. It includes canned white beans, chopped veggies, feta cheese, and a light dressing. The flavor is creamy, briny, and bright with plenty of texture from the beans and vegetables. It’s quick, practical, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad takes about 15 minutes and transforms raw Brussels sprouts into a crisp, crunchy base. It’s often tossed with nuts, cheese, or fruit for a little variety and balance. The flavor is nutty, slightly bitter, and fresh without being bland. It’s a salad that surprises people with how much they like it.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Goat Cheese Salad
Goat Cheese Salad comes together in about 15 minutes and balances creamy, crunchy, and fresh all in one bowl. It includes soft goat cheese, crisp greens, and toasted nuts or seeds. The flavor is tangy from the cheese, slightly bitter from the greens, and mellowed by the dressing. It’s a solid go-to when you want something that feels a little dressed up.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad
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