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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Salads » 30+ Crave Worthy Dinner Salads

    30+ Crave Worthy Dinner Salads

    June 8, 2021 By Anna Russell 3 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    A collage of healthy dinner salad recipes.

    If you’re not a believer in salad for dinner, get ready to get converted. These crave-worthy dinner salad recipes are colorful, beautiful, filling, and so, so delicious.

    A collage of healthy dinner salad recipes.

    Salad can – and should – be so much more than an afterthought. Dress crisp, bright greens with raw and grilled vegetables, fruits, grains, and proteins, and tie it all together with a zippy homemade dressing. The right combination is a simple and quick way to get a healthy, bountiful dinner on the table year-round.

    We’ve pulled together over 30 of the best dinner salad recipes to make even the most stubborn “meat and potatoes” eater a believer (and for you, our friend, the classic Steakhouse Salad is must-try!).

    Go beyond the basics and explore salads with grains like quinoa and rice, grill juicy stone fruit with chicken in the summer, and experiment with seasonal vegetables like delicata squash. There’s no one way to “do salad” – so try one or all of these healthy variations!

    30+ Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes

    Whether you’re vegetarian or keto, a meat-and-potatoes lover, or all about the greens, dinner salads can and should be a weeknight mainstay. Properly crafted, dinner salads are totally crave-worthy and deserving of a spot in the regular weekly rotation.

    Healthy Steak Salad

    Sear your steak in a cast iron skillet while your potatoes are roasting in the oven. While the meat is resting, prep your veggies and and whisk up homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Dish warm steak and potatoes atop cool, crisp veggies and serve immediately.

    Steak salad with roasted potatoes and avocado in a tan salad bowl on a cement background with a small pitcher of balsamic dressing.

    Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing

    Crunchy greens are tossed with mint and parsley, then topped with crisp cucumbers, garden-fresh tomatoes, and tender slivers of red onion. The shawarma marinade takes minutes and can be prepped the night before, making for a quick, easy, and irresistible dinner salad.

    Chicken shawarma dinner salad in a large serving bowl with a tahini dressing and serving utensils on the side.

    Spring Cobb Salad with Thyme Vinaigrette

    I love an easy salad recipe for weeknight dinners, especially one packed with protein and healthy fats! This spring cobb salad is a combination of grilled and raw vegetables with roasted chicken, avocado, blue cheese and a thyme red wine vinaigrette.

    Spring cobb salad with chicken, asparagus, leeks, avocado, and blue cheese over romaine lettuce on a cream plate with a side of vinaigrette in a small pitcher.

    Roasted Vegetable Salad with Green Tahini

    Tender roasted vegetables are served over spinach with a side of avocado, then sprinkled with sesame seeds and drizzled with green tahini sauce. This recipe is naturally paleo, Whole30 and vegan, and super customizable to your preferences – need more protein? Add simple grilled chicken.

    A white bowl filled with roasted vegetable salad, half an avocado, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of green tahini dressing on a concrete background.

    Avocado Strawberry Chicken Salad

    This strawberry chicken salad with avocado and creamy balsamic dressing is a healthy, vibrant dinner salad ready in just 30 minutes!

    Strawberry and avocado salad with grilled chicken in a white salad bowl with a small pitcher of creamy balsamic dressing in the background.

    Buffalo Chicken Salad

    Crisp boneless buffalo wings are nestled atop a crunchy salad base tossed with 2-ingredient vinaigrette, blue cheese crumbles, and creamy avocado. This buffalo chicken salad is a quick 30-minute meal packed with protein and vegetables.

    A large buffalo chicken salad with wood serving spoons and small bowl of blue cheese crumbles.

    Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad

    This grilled mediterranean chicken salad is a bold combination of lemon-oregano brined chicken, olives, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, drizzled with an oregano vinaigrette.

    A wood bowl with a serving of mediterranean chicken salad with grilled herb lemon chicken, artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh mozzarella, and oregano vinaigrette.

    Basil Chicken Salad with Peaches and Corn

    This basil chicken salad is a healthy and flavorful way to use up an abundance of fresh basil. It’s packed with vibrant grilled fruits and vegetables and a punch of protein.

    A grilled basil chicken salad with grilled chicken, peaches, and corn over mixed greens with blue cheese crumbles on a black plate.

    Chicken Caprese Salad

    Caprese Chicken Salad is the perfect dinner to highlight the freshest of fresh ingredients and clean, classic flavors. While your grill is heating up, prep the dish by pounding and seasoning your chicken breasts and slicing and dicing your veggies. Whisk together your dressing ingredients while the chicken is cooking and get ready to cut, plate, and serve once it’s fresh off the grill.

    A large serving bowl of chicken caprese salad with romaine lettuce, fresh basil, and grilled chicken.

    BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

    This BLT Salad is a classic, but with a delicious twist in the form of hot bacon dressing. Toss your greens, tomatoes, and croutons with this tangy salty dressing and get a kick of creaminess from ripe avocados, with double the bacony flavor. 

    Two bowls of BLT Salad with avocado and hot bacon dressing on marble table with a glass of white wine.

    Strawberry Kale Salad with Mint

    Tough bitter kale is transformed into velvety tenderness with a simple trick, and will entice even the staunchest kale haters. Mint and blue cheese elevate this healthy salad into a restaurant quality meal that you can make at home in just 20 minutes. 

    From above, strawberry kale salad in a shallow bowl topped with grilled chicken.

    Whole30 BLT Chicken Salad

    This Whole30 BLT chicken salad is a fast and easy weeknight dinner or packed lunch. It’s tangy, crunchy, and filling and ready in under 30 minutes.

    Two Whole30 BLT chicken salads on white plates with paleo ranch dressing.

    Steak Fajita Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

    This quick and easy Steak Fajita Salad topped with a zingy cilantro lime vinaigrette is about to become your go-to Tex-Mex dinner recipe. It’s paleo and Whole30 friendly and ready in just 30 minutes!

    A paleo and whole30 friendly steak fajita salad in a blue salad bowl with grilled peppers and onions, avocado, and tomatoes and cilantro lime dressing on the side.

    Salmon Avocado Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

    Tender, flaky salmon shines bright all on its own, but it really stands out in this salmon and avocado salad, tossed with seasonal produce and creamy lemon dressing. This salad is a true superfood combo, loaded with healthy omega-3 fats and all of the vitamins and nutrients your body craves. 

    From above, salmon and avocado salad with mango and lemon dressing.

    Kale Chicken Salad with Apples and Warm Potatoes

    This kale chicken salad with maple cider vinaigrette is an easy, fast, and deeply nutritious weeknight gluten free dinner. It’s made with apples, farm fresh kale, grilled apple cider chicken, and warm potatoes, then dressed with an addictive sweet and tart vinaigrette.

    Two kale chicken salads with warm potatoes and apples on grey plates with dressing and vintage silver forks on the side.

    Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing

    Roasted delicata squash is sweet, nutty, and impressively versatile. It shines in this seasonal salad recipe tossed with quinoa, vegetables, and pepitas, then drizzled with a sweet and creamy maple vinaigrette. 

    A plate of vegetarian delicata squash salad with quinoa, pomegranates, and creamy maple dressing.

    Orange Chicken Salad

    This orange chicken salad comes together in 30 minutes, and couldn’t be easier. Feel free to swap in whichever orange varietals you love, or your favorite method for preparing chicken. 

    Three meal prep containers filled with orange chicken salad and a small container of citrus vinaigrette.

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sunbutter Sauce

    In just thirty minutes you can become the envy of the block or the lunch table with this delightfully delicious vegan roasted broccoli quinoa salad. It’s perfectly balanced with sweet, nutty, and tart and will elevate your lunch status to Level 10 Tasty with just a handful of seasonal whole foods.

    A bowl of roasted broccoli quinoa salad drizzled with sunbutter sauce on a marble table.

    Grilled Zucchini Salad with Corn and White Beans

    This grilled zucchini salad with corn and marinated white beans is a delicious summer dinner or side dish recipe that’s as easy to eat as it is to make. 

    Gluten free grilled zucchini dinner salad with grilled corn and white beans on a white plate with a tan linen napkin on a chalkboard background.

    Salmon Quinoa Salad with Honey Soy Dressing

    This salmon quinoa salad with honey soy dressing checks all of my weeknight dinner requirements – healthy, easy, fast, and delicious. 

    Side view, salmon quinoa salad with vegetables and greens in a large serving bowl with a wood spoon and blue napkin in the background.

    Tortellini Caprese Salad

    A twist on the classic, this Tortellini Caprese Salad is the pasta salad of the summer–and every season in between. Toss it together in 10 minutes and enjoy the fresh flavors of basil, tomatoes, cheesy tortellini and a delicious balsamic glaze. A perfect side but also hearty enough for a meal!

    Recipe and photo by Lemons and Zest

    A caprese and tortellini pasta dinner salad in a large glass serving bowl with wood serving spoons on the side.

    Italian Salad

    A delicious and healthy Italian Salad with a perfect herb dressing and plenty of veggies is an easy dinner salad that you can customize.

    Recipe and photo by Chelsea’s Messy Apron

    Italian chopped salad in a large white serving bowl on a concrete background.

    Shrimp Cobb Salad with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette

    Perfectly seasoned grilled shrimp with crispy bacon, tomatoes, avocado and soft boiled eggs makes the best healthy, BBQ ready Cobb salad for summer!  It’s tossed in an easy lemon garlic vinaigrette with your favorite salad greens for a flavor-packed low carb, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant meal. 

    Recipe and photo by Paleo Running Momma

    Spring cobb salad with runny eggs, shrimp, avocado, and bacon in a white serving bowl with a blue striped napkin.

    Greek Salad with Chicken

    This delicious Greek salad topped with Greek marinaded chicken is the best for meal prepped lunches or light dinners. Top it with kalamata olives, feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers and my Mediterranean tomato salad with an easy Greek vinaigrette dressing.

    Recipe and photo by Foodie Crush

    Greek dinner salad with feta, olives, and vegetables in a large white serving bowl on a marble table.

    Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Pistachios

    This classic roasted beet salad recipe is like my favorite French restaurants’ beet salads! This salad features goat cheese, pistachios and arugula with a zippy Dijon dressing.

    Recipe and photo by Cookie and Kate

    A vegetarian roasted beet dinner salad in a large white serving bowl on a marble table with dressing on the side.

    Lemony Roasted Broccoli, Arugula, and Lentil Salad

    This healthy and delicious salad features tender roasted broccoli and Brussels sprouts, protein-rich lentils, fresh arugula, and grated Parmesan tossed in a simple lemon dressing. 

    Recipe and photo by Cookie and Kate

    A vegetarian dinner salad with broccoli, arugula and lentils in a large glass serving bowl on a marble table.

    Balsamic Steak Gorgonzola Salad with Grilled Corn

    A 20 minute, delicious steak and salad dinner recipe with tomatoes, red onion, home grilled corn, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, gremolata and balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for the summer grilling months!

    Recipe and photo by Aberdeen’s Kitchen

    A steak dinner salad with grilled corn, blue cheese, and tomatoes on a white plate with rose gold silverware and a grey linen napkin.

    Citrus Shrimp and Avocado Salad

    This simple but totally flavorful shrimp salad makes the perfect meal-prep meal for lunch or dinner thanks to pan-seared citrus-flavored shrimp, creamy avocado, and the crunch of sliced almonds.

    Recipe and photo by Foodie Crush

    A citrus and avocado dinner salad with shrimp and greens in a large white serving bowl on a marble table.

    Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Lemon Garlic Shrimp

    Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Lemon Garlic Shrimp is the ultimate, flavor-packed, loaded salad. It’s filled with romaine, chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, roasted red peppers, fresh herbs, lemon garlic shrimp, and a zesty Greek vinaigrette. The combination of flavors is insane – trust me when I say it will be your new favorite meal-sized salad!

    Photo and recipe by Spices In My DNA

    A mediterranean chopped salad with shrimp in a white bowl with a grey linen napkin.

    Asian Salmon Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing

    A sticky sweet soy glazed salmon on a bed of lettuce with mandarin oranges and carrots, drizzled with a simple yet flavorful singer soy dressing. A low carb meal that is delicious and healthy!

    Recipe and Photo by Joyous Apron

    An asian salmon salad with mandarin oranges over greens in a white bowl with vinaigrette in the background.

    Fennel Asparagus Salad

    Crunchy and fresh, this Fennel Asparagus Salad pairs well with grilled fish, chicken or tofu.  Also delicious on a bed of spring greens with cucumber and radishes.  A vegan salad that can be made ahead and holds well in refrigerator for several days.

    Recipe and photo by Feasting At Home

    A fennel and avocado dinner salad in a brown serving bowl with serving utensils on a white linen background.
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    3 Comments
    Filed Under: Main Dishes, Salads

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    1. Grilled Zucchini Salad (Gluten Free) | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      June 17, 2021 at 10:54 am

      […] For more crave-worthy ways to use up summer produce, click to browse our favorite dinner salad recipes! […]

      Reply
    2. Buffalo Chicken Salad (Restaurant Style) - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      October 10, 2021 at 10:53 am

      […] salad for dinner? US TOO!! Click here for more dinner salad recipes and […]

      Reply
    3. Stuffed Tomatoes with Quinoa and Spinach - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      June 14, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      […] being said, I still need to eat something substantial. I love a good dinner salad as much as anyone, but I’ve got a hungry hubby and two hungry, hungry hippos that need […]

      Reply

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