In the fall and winter, I crave nothing more than filling hot soups, ground stews, and sumptuous entrees. But when spring comes around, I’ll be joining those who also store pots and spend less time in the kitchen. With things getting hotter, one of my favorite ways to bring delicious, nutritious meals to the table is by elevating salads. Dinner salad recipes are the easiest à la carte dishes that make the most of delicious seasonal ingredients.
The satisfying salad recipe below combines crunchy leafy greens with plenty of protein, grains, and healthy fats for a balanced spring meal. Could there be a Maine more suitable for warmer climates? Choosing a salad recipe for dinner streamlines the nutritional value of your meal, resulting in colorful vegetables, flavorful dressings, and flavors interlaced with plenty of protein, nuts and seeds to enhance texture and crunch. .
Here’s my short and charming case for prioritizing salad recipes for dinner. Need a little more convincing? Scroll through the 15 recipes below. All of this is proof that you can use an outstanding salad for your next meal.
Featured image by Michelle Nash.
15 salad recipes for dinner that won’t leave you hungry
mediterranean grain bowl
Why we love it: Camille’s latest salad masterpiece at the moment. I love grain bowls when I want something light and energizing. Fluffy golden quinoa is the perfect nutty base for all your fresh Mediterranean flavors. Black olives, mint, parsley, basil, and feta cheese. Enough said.
Hero Ingredients: Do not add sweets to your salad. Crunchy red or black grapes counteract the saltiness of the olives and perfectly bring out the fruity flavors.
Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Shallot Vinaigrette
Why we love it: This chopped salad is all about color and texture. Chickpeas are my favorite legumes and give this refreshing salad its richness and creaminess. It looks beautiful and satisfying, and refreshing? don’t say too much
Hero Ingredients: Let me write you a love letter to this honey shallot vinaigrette. She’s sweet, has the perfect amount of spiciness (garlic!), and seamlessly incorporates her gut-strengthening ACV.
White Kidney Beans and Lemon Relish Feta Salad
Why we love it: Panzanella is just one of Italy’s many glorious contributions to the world of salads. (Caprese, appetizers, fennel and citrus salad…) A genius way to use up stale leftover bread while also eating the bread and calling it a salad. This recipe is loaded with texture favorites, from crunchy cucumbers to creamy white kidney beans to salty feta cheese. Every ingredient counts in this salad.
Hero Ingredients: Learn more about that bread. I like to mix all the ingredients together and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the lemon flavor to permeate the bread.
spring rice salad
Why we love it: I knew this salad would win even before I saw the recipe. Green layers of cucumbers, peas, avocados and rich herbs provide a vivid eye treat. Mix all of this with perfectly cooked basmati rice and you have the perfect spring/summer meal. If you add 1 or 2 fried eggs on top, you’ll be happy to add even more volume.
Hero Ingredients: please, please, please Start stocking your fridge with pickled shallots at all times. Easy, instant flavor boost.
Cumin Chickpea Salad with Mint Chutney
Why we love it: This salad is complemented by a fresh, flavorful, herb-filled mint chutney. It brings a cool element to this summertime salad. Have it for dinner with naan and it will keep you going for several nights. (Yes, you will want to repeat this.)
Hero Ingredients: Toasting freshly ground spices is an elite act and should not be omitted.
Masala Corn Salad (Butta)
Why we love it: The transition to warmer climates is my calling card to eating corn on a regular basis. My favorite method (other than buttering the cob)? this salad. My corn on top is a classic, but this salad elevates the veggies to perfection. Garam masala, jalapeño, and chat masala are just a few of the flavor enhancers that bring corn to life as the star of this salad.
Hero Ingredients: Queso fresco might be an option, but I’m definitely opting for a creamier salad than usual. Cheese has always been my go-to solution.
Charlie Bird Farro Salad
Why we love it: This salad, courtesy of Jessie De Rowe, was served at a dinner party in Santa Barbara last spring. I love the nutty flavor of farro mixed with spicy arugula, sweet cherry tomatoes and crunchy radishes. Sprinkle with a handful of fresh herbs (parsley, basil and mint work well here) and serve with salted buttered crispy bread. A light meal perfect for summer.
Hero Ingredients: Farro is the most underrated grain. Not only is it a delicious base for any salad, it’s also rich in fiber, protein, and other important nutrients (magnesium and zinc!).
Malibu Farm Rainbow Vegan Chop Salad
Why we love it: Rainbow is correct. We love delicious chopped salads in our area and this recipe lives up to its name. Hearty avocado slices are combined with roasted butternut pumpkin cubes and mixed with marinated roasted beets for a fresh salad that is not lacking in flavor or variety.
Hero Ingredients: Watermelon Radish is the most beautiful vegetable that we all need to take advantage of.
Swedish Hill’s Clarksville Kale Crunch Salad
Why we love it: This is no run-of-the-mill kale salad.Austin’s favorite Swedish hill Let me know (yes, I said) the secret to this best kale salad ever. A seed mix made up of flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and bagel seasonings all add crunch and flavor throughout. Add creaminess and spiciness thanks to the cayenne pepper and drizzle with the desired amount of dressing.
Hero Ingredients: I never turn down a tahini-based dressing. wonderful.
Buffalo cauliflower chopped salad
Why we love it: I love how my favorite flavors are lightly treated as salads. I always endorse the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, but enjoying the combination of spicy and sweet flavors apart from lots of fresh veggies makes everything feel better.
Hero Ingredients: Buffalo cauliflower? Chef kiss.
Hummus, greens and avo bowls
Why we love it: This is one of my favorite Camille Styles recipes. I make at least 5 times a month. It’s an essential part of my weekly routine. Most people use hummus as a dip, but this recipe says to generously coat each dish with a generous spoonful of the spread before adding the other salad ingredients. genius. This bowl is inspired by our favorite coffee shop, both hands (And it’s not just because of the charming Australian barista… though that might affect our review.)
Hero Ingredients: I’m not saying greens are the way to get as much hummus as possible, but I wouldn’t swear they aren’t either.
Thai chicken salad with spicy peanut dressing
Why we love it: This Thai chicken salad has a tropical, beachy feel to it. Not only is it light and healthy, but with rotisserie chicken, it’s a quick and protein-packed meal. What color are mangoes, carrots, avocados, and cabbage? Release dopamine.
Hero Ingredients: Continue to sprinkle with roasted peanuts. The crunchier it is, the tastier it is.
chipotle lentil taco salad
Why we love it: This salad gets its name from the chipotle powder that gives lentils the perfect flavor. But to be honest, I used to read it as a homemade alternative to big name burrito bowls. For fast food and fresh flavors, this salad has chipotle beets. Smoky and spicy lentils paired with light pico de gallo and spicy lime chipotle he dressing make for a dreamy dinner.
Hero Ingredients: Add these lentils to everything.
8 Minute Egg and Avocado BLT Salad
Why we love it: What’s my favorite salad sandwich? Please register. This recipe makes the most of all the classic ingredients: crunchy croutons, avocado, crunchy bacon, tomatoes, and fresh bib lettuce. A hand sprinkling of sea salt brings out all the flavors.
Hero Ingredients: Honey Dijon Vinaigrette is the only way to make this salad even more delicious.
sunshine detox salad
Why we love it: Whether you want to reset after an indulgent weekend or not, a salad with ‘Sunshine’ in its name is always the answer. I personally love using cabbage in salads. This is a great way to add weight and crunch while staying lightweight. Add plenty of veggies and herbs, plus a vinaigrette that you’ll want to double up on, and you’ve got yourself a mouthwatering dinner.
Hero Ingredients: Obviously, I love to eat. Sunflower seeds are one of my favorite ways to do just that.
