17 Hearty Salads That Actually Count As Dinner

A salad for dinner only works if it actually feels like a meal. No one wants to eat a bowl of lettuce and call it a night. A real salad needs protein, crunch, bold flavors, and enough substance to keep you from raiding the fridge an hour later. These salads get the job done. They’re packed with ingredients that make them worth eating, not just an excuse to check the “I ate something green” box.

Burger Bowls

Everything great about a burger, minus the bun. Juicy beef, crisp lettuce, and all the toppings get tossed together with a homemade special sauce. It’s big, bold, and actually fills you up, which is the whole point of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Asian Turkey Burger Salad

A turkey burger but better. This salad packs in fresh veggies, big flavor, and a creamy peanut dressing that brings it all together. It’s high in protein, quick to make, and doesn’t feel like a side dish pretending to be dinner.
Get the Recipe: Asian Turkey Burger Salad

Baby Kale Salad

This is how you make a kale salad work as a full meal. BBQ roasted chickpeas add crunch, apple slices bring a little sweetness, and a simple tahini dressing ties it all together. Packed with protein and easy to throw together, this one actually holds up as dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad

Blueberry White Bean Salad

White beans bring the protein, blueberries and fresh herbs keep it fresh, and a tahini turmeric dressing gives it a bold kick. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds add crunch, making this salad feel complete—not like something you eat just because you feel like you should.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry White Bean Salad

Bok Choy Salad

Crisp bok choy, sliced almonds, and toasted sesame seeds give this salad plenty of texture. An Asian-inspired sesame dressing ties everything together, making this a great option when you want something fresh but still filling. Add grilled chicken or steak if you want even more protein.
Get the Recipe: Bok Choy Salad

Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Chickpeas, feta, and royal raisins turn this carrot salad into something worth eating for dinner. Tossed in a creamy yogurt tahini dressing, it’s packed with protein and bold flavors. Perfect for when you need something quick but still satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Shrimp Caesar Salad

This Caesar salad doesn’t play around. Shrimp adds protein, a hint of sriracha in the dressing brings some heat, and everything comes together in minutes. It’s a fresh, easy meal that actually feels like dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Caesar Salad

Pad Thai Salad

This salad pulls all the great flavors of Pad Thai into a vegetarian-friendly meal. Crunchy veggies, peanut dressing, and scrambled egg make it hearty enough to stand on its own. Meal prep it for the week or make it fresh when you need something quick.
Get the Recipe: Pad Thai Salad

Sweet Corn Peach Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Sweet corn, juicy peaches, and grilled chicken come together with a tangy honey mustard dressing. It’s fresh, packed with protein, and light without leaving you hungry 30 minutes later.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Peach Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Thai Kohlrabi Noodle Salad

Spiralized kohlrabi noodles, crisp vegetables, and a bold Thai vinaigrette make this salad anything but boring. Packed with crunch and full of flavor, it works as a main meal instead of just sitting on the side of your plate.
Get the Recipe: Thai Kohlrabi Noodle Salad

Lentil Tabbouleh

Lentils take the place of bulgur in this fresh tabbouleh, making it more filling and loaded with protein. Tomatoes, herbs, and lemon keep it light, but this version actually eats like a meal instead of a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Tabbouleh

Avocado Lentil Cranberry Salad

Creamy avocado, hearty lentils, and a mix of fresh and dried cranberries make this salad a solid dinner choice. A lemon Dijon dressing ties it together, keeping things fresh and balanced while making sure you don’t end up hungry an hour later.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Lentil Cranberry Salad

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Rotisserie chicken, bright citrus, toasted pine nuts, and kale come together in this bold, crunchy salad. Tossed in an orange Dijon dressing, it’s big on flavor and protein without taking forever to make.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad pulls together shredded Brussels sprouts, crisp apples, and pomegranates with grilled chicken and a honey mustard dressing. It’s fresh, filling, and doesn’t feel like you just threw a bunch of random ingredients in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad

Spiralized beets and parsnips, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese crumbles turn this salad into something worth sitting down for. A balsamic dressing brings it all together, making this a great way to enjoy root vegetables as a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad

Smoked Salmon Salad

Smoked salmon, mixed greens, boiled eggs, and crumbled feta make this salad feel substantial. Tossed in a savory Dijon mustard dressing, it’s packed with protein and doesn’t leave you wondering what else you should eat.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Salad

Roasted Koginut Squash Salad

Koginut squash roasts up tender and slightly sweet, pairing perfectly with a mix of greens and savory spices. It’s packed with texture and flavor, proving that squash belongs in salads way more often than it does.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Koginut Squash Salad