17 Amazing Salads That Make A Meal In Themselves

Salads have a reputation for being nothing more than a few leaves and a bit of dressing. Yes, those types of salads are light and healthy but not necessarily satisfying. A good salad can be just as filling as any dish, and these seventeen recipes prove it. These salads are all packed with protein-rich ingredients like eggs, chicken, legumes, and nuts to make them hearty enough for a full meal.

1. Cobb Salad

Clean Eating Cobb Salad
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

It has no bacon or blue cheese, but this six-ingredient Cobb Salad is still a winner. It’s full of nutrient-dense ingredients like avocado, chicken, and boiled egg, topped with a tangy Italian dressing that can be made creamy if you like.

2. Chicken Apple Salad

The finished Chicken Apple Salad having dressing spooned over the top.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

The simpler the salad, the better, and this Chicken Apple Salad is the perfect case in point. It has all the flavors of a classic green salad but with added crunch from apples and protein from chicken.

3. Cavatappi Pasta Salad

An overhead view of a white mixing bowl filled with cavatappi pasta salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Cavatappi Pasta Salad is a delicious, complete meal with plenty of protein, carbs and veggies. Serve it up with a green salad to round out the meal.

4. Shrimp And Avocado Salad

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with shrimp and avocado salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Indulge in a light and refreshing dish that combines the succulent flavors of shrimp with the creamy richness of avocado in a tantalizing symphony of tastes. This Shrimp And Avocado Salad is a true celebration of freshness and simplicity, perfect for those seeking a healthy and satisfying meal. Purchase pre-cooked shrimp to avoid turning on the stove.

5. Broccoli Salad

An up close view of fresh broccoli salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love broccoli, you simply must make this delicious Broccoli Salad. Nothing needs cooking. It’s just a raw salad with amazing flavors.

6. Cauliflower Salad Recipe

A white bowl filled with cauliflower salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Cauliflower Salad Recipe is a completely raw salad that packs a truly flavorful punch. It actually fills you up, and you never have to turn on the stove.

7. Spinach Summer Salad

A plastic container holds a fresh looking salad filled with greens, raspberries, strawberries and more.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Escape into a world of vibrant flavors with this Spinach Summer Salad, a refreshing and invigorating dish that celebrates the best of the season. Nuts, berries, fresh vegetables, and more come together in this delicious and nutritious meal without having to turn on the stove.

8. Orzo Salad With Pesto

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with Orzo Salad With Pesto.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Orzo Salad With Pesto is one of those meals that the entire family will love. Pesto is delicious, and this salad will even give you some much-needed fresh veggies.

9. Indian-Style Chickpea Salad

A white mixing bowl filled with Indian chickpea salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Love the vibrant flavors of India but hate breaking a sweat in the kitchen? This no-cook, simple Indian-Style Chickpea Salad is a fantastic solution if you want a delicious and hassle-free meal that requires no cooking. So, let the spices take center stage, and savor the flavors of India with this no-cook sensation that brings the vibrant spirit of Indian cuisine right to your plate.

10. Strawberry Spinach Salad

An overhead view of a strawberry spinach salad in a white bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This salad is a delightful medley of contrasting yet harmonious flavors and textures, bringing together the sweetness of ripe, juicy strawberries and the earthiness of fresh spinach leaves. Strawberry Spinach Salad is a must-make if you don’t want to heat up the kitchen with cooking.

11. Chickpea Salad

A white ceramic mixing bowl holds some chickpea salad. A wood spoon rests inside the bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This salad is a celebration of wholesome ingredients and bold taste. Chickpea Salad can be enjoyed as a standalone meal, a protein-packed side dish, or even stuffed into a pita for a tasty sandwich alternative.

12. Wedge Salads

A salad wedge sits on a white plate smothered in bacon bits, chopped tomatoes and ranch dressing.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This classic salad takes the concept of no-cook simplicity to new heights, delivering a mouthwatering combination of textures and flavors. These 4 Wedge Salad ideas are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and keep you out of a hot kitchen.

13. Simple Cabbage Salad

A white bowl filled with cabbage salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This salad is This Simple Cabbage Salad is all about celebrating the natural goodness of cabbage in its simplest form. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enjoy this very filling salad without heating up your kitchen this summer.

14. Spinach And Berry Salad

And overhead view of a white bowl filled with spinach salad. The spinach is topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and pieces of walnuts.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Spinach And Berry Salad is not only sweet and delicious but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. And the best part is, you don’t have to cook anything. Just add dressing!

15. Cranberry Walnut Salad

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with cranberry walnut salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Enjoy a hassle-free meal with this Cranberry Walnut Salad, a flavorful combination that requires no cooking. This salad is perfect for those moments when you crave a nourishing and satisfying meal without the need to turn on the stove.

16. Corn Salad

A brown bowl filled with corn salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Corn Salad is a refreshing side dish or light lunch and is an amazing addition to your summer picnics and barbecues. Let the combination of sweetness, zest, and crunch transport you to the sunny days of summer with every delicious bite.

17. Simple Kale Salad

A white bowl holds a small serving of kale salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Simple Kale Salad is not only nourishing but also incredibly versatile. Enjoy it as a hearty meal on its own or as a tasty side dish to complement your favorite main course. Either way, you don’t have to cook it!

Sick Of The Same Ol’ Chicken For Dinner? Here Are 101 New Ways To Make It!

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Having chicken for dinner… again? Here are 101 new ways to level up your dinner game tonight.

Healthy Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas That Actually Taste Good

A skillet filled with ground turkey, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado and garnished with fresh parsley.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Lean ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef if you are working on your health. Here, we give you 17 Meals with ground turkey that are surprisingly good for you.

While You’re Cooking, Prep Breakfast For Tomorrow Too. It Only Takes 5 Minutes!

An overhead view of a small canning jar filled with overnight oats with raisins.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Prepping overnight oats the night before is a fantastic way to ensure that your morning runs smoothly. These delicious oatmeal recipes are prepped in just 5 minutes. In fact, you can even make homemade oatmeal packets with these recipes, so all you have to do is grab a packet and get it in the fridge.

This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.

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