Cold and crunchy

Salads

Chopped salads, grain salads, and slaws that work as a meal or next to one.

A salad needs salt, acid, and something with a bite. These are written that way, not as a bowl of undressed leaves.

Dress the sturdy parts first. Greens go in at the end if you are packing lunch, or they wilt before noon.

Time

Difficulty

Meal

Cooking method

Dietary

High protein means the estimate is about 30g or more per serving. Vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and lower-carb are applied only when the recipe is written to meet them.

Budget

18 recipes

Salads

Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken is grilled to 165°F and sliced over romaine with Parmesan, croutons, and a lemon-anchovy dressing. It is a full salad, not a side of leaves.

34 min · Easy

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Salads

Southwest Salad

Grilled chicken, corn, black beans, and cheddar sit on romaine with a cilantro-lime dressing. A little chili powder in the rub keeps the bowl savory and warm.

34 min · Easy

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Salads

Asian Chicken Salad

Shredded cabbage holds sliced chicken, mandarin oranges, and almonds under a sesame-ginger dressing. The chicken is cooked to 165°F before it ever meets the salad.

34 min · Easy

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Spinach salad with sliced strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted almonds

Salads

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Spinach, strawberries, and toasted almonds are tossed with a light poppy-seed dressing and a little goat cheese. It is a fresh salad with no cooked protein to wait on.

15 min · Easy

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Salads

Taco Salad

Ground beef is cooked through to 160°F with chili spices, then piled on romaine with beans, tomato, cheddar, and crushed tortilla chips. The chips go on at the end so they stay crisp.

30 min · Easy

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Salads

Pasta Salad

Short pasta is cooked, cooled, and tossed with vegetables, cheese, and Italian dressing. It is a cold salad meant for the fridge, not a hot pasta dish.

32 min · Easy

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Salads

Cobb Salad

Romaine lined with chicken, bacon, egg, avocado, tomato, and blue cheese. The chicken is cooked to 165°F and the eggs are hard-boiled.

40 min · Easy

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Caesar salad with romaine, croutons, and shaved Parmesan

Salads

Classic Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine, garlicky mayo dressing, Parmesan, and homemade croutons. The dressing uses mayonnaise instead of a raw egg yolk.

27 min · Easy

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Salads

Greek Lemon Chicken Salad

Seared chicken strips rest on crisp romaine with cucumber, olives, and feta. A bright lemon-oregano dressing ties the bowl together without weighing it down.

27 min · Easy

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Kale Caesar salad topped with crispy chickpeas and Parmesan

Salads

Kale Caesar Chickpea Salad

Massaged kale softens under a thick garlic-Parmesan dressing. Roasted chickpeas stand in for croutons and add crunch throughout the bowl.

40 min · Easy

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Salads

Roasted Beet Arugula Salad

Sweet roasted beets meet peppery arugula and creamy goat cheese. Toasted walnuts and a simple balsamic dressing finish the plate.

50 min · Easy

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Shrimp salad with mango chunks and sliced avocado

Salads

Shrimp Mango Avocado Salad

Quick-seared shrimp sit over mixed greens with ripe mango and avocado. A lime-chili dressing adds heat without overpowering the fruit.

21 min · Easy

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Sliced steak salad with green chimichurri sauce

Salads

Chimichurri Steak Salad

Seared steak slices crown a bed of greens, tomatoes, and red onion. Homemade chimichurri doubles as marinade and finishing sauce.

32 min · Medium

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Iceberg wedge salad topped with bacon, tomato, and creamy dressing

Salads

BLT Iceberg Wedge Salad

A cold iceberg wedge gets classic BLT toppings: crisp bacon, juicy tomato, and a creamy dressing. Chives finish each plate with a mild onion note.

22 min · Easy

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Salads

Sesame Ginger Tofu Salad

Pan-seared tofu cubes sit on shredded lettuce with cucumber and carrots. A sesame-ginger dressing soaks into the warm tofu for a filling meatless meal.

27 min · Easy

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Salads

Lemon Dill Salmon Salad

Flaked salmon sits with cucumber, celery, and red onion under a lemon-dill yogurt dressing. The salad stays cool and filling without mayonnaise heaviness.

25 min · Easy

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