Stuck in a salad rut? These creative and satisfying mixes will fill you up with fiber and protein—not calories.
Stuck in a salad rut?
If you’ve resolved to eat healthier, a salad is probably your go-to nutritious meal. But it doesn’t take long to grow tired of the same old bowl of greens.
Luckily there are plenty of creative mixes you can use to break from your #SadDeskLunch routine: Below you’ll find 25 salads that you’ll actually want to eat. And thanks to satisfying fiber and protein, these recipes will help keep you full until quitting time.
By packing your own lunch you’ll be saving calories, of course, as well as money—and if you commit to a Sunday afternoon of meal prep, you might even save yourself some time, too: Knock out three workday lunches in one swoop, and you’re set til mid-week.
Grilled Chicken and Wheat-Berry Salad
This salad is a great way to get your fill of veggies, fruits, and protein all at once. The yogurt dressing provides a kick of calcium.
Ingredients: Wheat berries, bay leaf, spinach, green apple, red bell pepper, cucumber yogurt dressing, Dijon mustard, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, green onion
Artichoke, Edamame, and Asparagus Salad
Shelled edamame are very low in calories and fat, but packed with protein and fiber. Plus, artichokes and asparagus are rich in antioxidants. Toss in light citrus dressing for a little zest.
Ingredients: Garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper, artichoke hearts, shelled edamame, asparagus, Parmesan cheese
Poached Salmon and Watercress Salad With Dill-Yogurt Dressing
Nutritional powerhouse salmon is rich in protein, heart-helping omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. This salad is light and refreshing, and doesn’t skimp on zesty flavor.
Ingredients: Celery, scallions, lemon, salt, pepper, salmon fillets, low-fat yogurt, dill, horseradish, olive oil, watercress, sugar snap peas, radishes
Shrimp With Feta, Radish, Watercress, and Mint
Shrimp is high in protein and very low in fat. Plus, fennel freshens your breath, soothes coughs, and can even slim and trim your waistline. Detox never tasted so delicious!
Ingredients: Shrimp, salt, pepper, olive oil, fennel seeds, lemon juice, watercress, fennel, radishes, mint leaves, feta cheese
Endive, Pear, and Blue Cheese Salad
This unique, savory dish offers a healthy dose of vitamins and good fats. It’s creamy, crunchy, sweet, and perfect for a heart-healthy diet!
Ingredients: Walnuts, rye bread, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, pears, low-fat buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, blue cheese, endive
Two-Bean Greek Salad
Fresh herbs and a grilled pita bring authentic flavor to this mouthwatering Mediterranean dish. Beans add a hearty dose of filling fiber.
Ingredients: Red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, olive oil, pepper, edamame or lima beans, string beans, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, multigrain pitas, haloumi cheese or ricotta salata
Strawberry-and-Arugula Salad With Crispy Prosciutto
Ingredients: Balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, pepper, strawberries, red onion, prosciutto, baby arugula, goat cheese or feta
Grilled Panzanella With Arugula, Burrata, Summer Squash, and Olives
This leafy-green mix is packed with antioxidants. Olives add a dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Ingredients: Olive oil, summer squash or zucchini, whole-wheat country bread, kosher salt, ground pepper, garlic, white-wine vinegar, baby arugula, black olives, burrata cheese
Roasted-Squash Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
Who says a salad can’t be rich? Butternut squash, maple syrup, and hazelnuts give you incredible flavor for very few calories.
Ingredients: Hazelnuts, butternut squash, maple syrup, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, mixed salad greens, Parmesan cheese
Spiced Pecan and Roasted Pear Salad
Subtle North Indian spices warm up this delicious salad. Pecans are rich in heart-healthy fats and can promote prostate health.
Ingredients: Pecan halves, garam masala, salt, pears, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, watercress, endive, blue cheese, flatbread crackers
Moroccan Lamb Salad With Carrots and Mint
Lamb, a tender variety of red meat, is rich in the mineral selenium, which may help keep asthma at bay. It’s also a great source of protein. If you’re tight on time, coarsely grate carrots in a food processor instead of peeling into long strips.
Ingredients: Lean lamb loin chops, garlic, salt, pepper, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, carrots, mint sprigs, golden raisins, scallions
Mustard Greens Salad With Pork and Asian Pear
Trim the pork to cut back on unhealthy saturated fats. Mustard greens and pears are both great sources of fiber.
Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, pepper, scallions, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, mustard greens, pitted dates, Asian or Bosc pear
String Bean and Fingerling Potato Salad With Shrimp
Shrimp are a low-cal, low-fat source of lean protein. While the potatoes and beans are cooking, make the tangy, low-cal vinaigrette.
Ingredients: Fingerling potatoes, string beans, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, dill, shrimp, pecan halves
Warm Salad of Kabocha and Goat Cheese With Currants
A sprinkle of dried currants adds vitamins A and C to this flavorful mix.
Ingredients: Kabocha squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, baguette slices, goat cheese, frisée lettuce, chives, dried currants, red-wine vinegar, olive oil, pumpkin seeds
Chicken-and-Cornbread Salad With Lime
This dish is packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Cornbread is also a great source of whole grains.
Ingredients: Cornbread, lime juice, olive oil, chicken breast, cumin, tomato, red onion, romaine heart
Grilled Asian Steak and Spinach Salad
Filling grass-fed beef is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and spinach is an excellent source of folate, which plays an important role in heart health.
Ingredients: Baby spinach, olive oil, garlic, lime juice, dark brown sugar, low-sodium soy sauce, red onion, steak, cilantro, unsalted peanuts
Persimmon and Blue Cheese Salad With Walnuts
Persimmons are a great source of vitamin A and the powerful antioxidant lycopene. Walnuts add a crunchy boost of heart-healthy omega-3s.
Ingredients: Balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, pepper, mixed greens, persimmons, blue cheese, walnuts, pomegranate seeds
A Skinny Caesar
This twist on a Caesar salad uses silken tofu instead of mayo to cut out half the fat in traditional versions.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, salt, pepper, silken soft tofu, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, romaine lettuce, fat-free croutons
Warm Spinach Salad With Grilled Sausage
This recipe may sound rich, but opting for chicken sausage cuts back on unhealthy saturated fat, and low-cal spinach adds a hearty dose of feel-full fiber.
Ingredients: Chicken sausages, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, spinach, whole-grain mustard, balsamic vinegar
Chopped Greek Salad
How can a Mediterranean classic get any better? Serve it chopped!
Ingredients: Lemon juice, garlic, honey, salt, pepper, olive oil, hearts of Romaine, chickpeas, yellow bell pepper, cherry or grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, mint leaves, whole-wheat pitas
Shrimp-Tomato-Avocado Salad
This fresh, protein-packed salad can be ready to go in just 30 minutes, and since the recipe makes enough for four servings, you can bring leftovers for multiple days.
Ingredients: Avocado or coconut oil, shrimp, salt and black pepper, garlic, lemons, Dijon mustard, raw honey, extra-virgin olive oil, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, parsley, tarragon, thyme, avocado, Bibb lettuce
Modern Cobb Salad
Try this unexpected twist on the classic cobb, with fresh corn kernels, green beans, and unsalted sunflower seeds.
Ingredients: Baby arugula, steamed green beans, corn kernels, buttermilk-herb dressing (buttermilk, olive oil mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, flat-leaf parsley, honey), thinly sliced celery, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, hard-boiled egg
Layered Mexican Chicken Salad
A crunchy, savory, and fun way to eat your tacos in salad form. In addition to protein, you’ll get calcium and iron from mix-ins like black beans, sour cream, and guacamole.
Ingredients: Plum tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, cayenne pepper, lime juice, olive oil, black beans, romaine lettuce, rotisserie chicken, corn, tortilla chips, guacamole, sour cream, cumin
Chicken-and-Kale Salad With Herbed Buttermilk Dressing
Store-bought rotisserie chicken breast cuts down on prep work in this super-satisfying bowl. Our homemade herbed buttermilk dressing is lower in calories than many store-bought dressings, and thanks to fresh herbs like tarragon and dill, it’s loaded with flavor too.
Ingredients: Buttermilk, fresh tarragon, fresh dill, fresh chives, olive oil mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, fresh garlic, kosher salt, baby kale, thinly sliced radicchio, thinly sliced radish, shredded boneless skinless rotisserie chicken breast, salted roasted pistachios