Salads don’t have to be light, boring, or leave you hungry an hour later. These hearty salad recipes prove that a well-built salad can be a full meal, packed with flavor and satisfying ingredients. With a mix of proteins, fresh vegetables, and bold dressings, they go beyond the usual side dish. They’re also easy to throw together, making them perfect for busy days when you need something filling without a lot of effort. If you want salads that actually keep you full, these hearty salad recipes are worth a try.
Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe
Crunchy, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet, this salad proves that broccoli and apples belong together. It’s packed with fresh flavors and a little tang, making it a top contender for hearty salad recipes. Bonus: it holds up well for meal prep, so you can enjoy it all week.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad Recipe
5-Ingredient Watermelon Feta Salad
Five ingredients and a whole lot of flavor—this salad is the definition of low effort, high reward. The juicy watermelon and salty feta combo is as refreshing as it is bold, making it a great pick for hearty salad recipes. Perfect for when it’s hot out but you still want something substantial.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Watermelon Feta Salad
Beet Salad with Feta
Earthy beets, creamy feta, and a punchy dressing come together in a way that just works. This salad is colorful, nutrient-packed, and sturdy enough to hold its own as a meal. If you need something that’s equal parts fresh and filling, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta
Keto Greek Salad
Everything good about a Greek salad, minus the carbs. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and plenty of feta keep things interesting, while olives and a lemony dressing bring just the right balance. Hearty salad recipes don’t always need greens, and this one proves it.
Get the Recipe: Keto Greek Salad
Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Sweet watermelon and savory shrimp might sound unexpected, but trust the process. Tossed in a sesame dressing, this salad has crunch, protein, and plenty of flavor. It’s a fresh yet hearty option that works for lunch, dinner, or any time hunger strikes.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette
This isn’t your average slaw. Apples, pears, and a caramel cider vinaigrette take things in a crisp, slightly sweet direction that pairs perfectly with hearty meals. It’s light but still holds up in the lineup of hearty salad recipes.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
When beans and feta get together, you know it’s going to be good. Packed with protein, fiber, and Mediterranean flavors, this salad doesn’t just sit on the side—it’s a meal in itself. A no-fuss option for when you need something filling and fast.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
Potato Salad with Herbs and Green Garlic
This is what happens when a classic potato salad gets a serious flavor upgrade. Fresh herbs and green garlic keep it bright, while the potatoes keep it hearty. Ideal for when you want a salad that actually eats like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs and Green Garlic
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Brussels sprouts finally get the attention they deserve in this crunchy, maple-kissed salad. The combination of sweet and savory makes it a standout among hearty salad recipes. Bonus: it only gets better the longer it sits.
Get the Recipe: Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Mexican Street Corn Salad
All the flavors of classic elote, minus the messy hands. Creamy, cheesy, a little smoky, and packed with fresh corn, this salad holds its own at any meal. Hearty, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Quick & Easy Cucumber Kimchi
Cool, crisp cucumbers meet spicy, garlicky kimchi flavors in this punchy salad. It’s the perfect mix of light and bold, making it a great choice for hearty salad recipes with a little kick. If you love a salad with attitude, this one delivers.
Get the Recipe: Quick & Easy Cucumber Kimchi
Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
Light, fresh, and packed with protein, this quinoa salad is rumored to be a celeb favorite for a reason. Chickpeas, herbs, and feta keep it interesting, while the quinoa gives it some serious staying power. A solid pick for hearty salad recipes that don’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
Crunchy Kale Chicken Salad Recipe with Cranberries
Kale and chicken team up for a salad that’s both crunchy and packed with protein. The cranberries add just the right amount of sweetness, making every bite a little addictive. If hearty salad recipes are what you need, this one is a no-brainer.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Kale Chicken Salad Recipe with Cranberries
Red Skin Potato Salad with Bacon
Potatoes and bacon don’t mess around, and neither does this salad. Creamy, smoky, and packed with bold flavors, it’s filling enough to be a meal on its own. If you're looking for hearty salad recipes that bring serious comfort, this one’s got it covered.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad with Bacon
Quinoa Taco Salad
All the fun of a taco, minus the shell. Quinoa, beans, and plenty of taco toppings make this salad fresh, filling, and anything but boring. If hearty salad recipes are the goal, this one checks every box.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Taco Salad
Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono
Light, tangy, and surprisingly refreshing, this cucumber salad is proof that simple ingredients can pack a punch. The umami-rich dressing takes it to the next level, making it a sneaky-good pick for hearty salad recipes. A little crunch, a little zing, and a whole lot of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono
Asian Cucumber Salad TikTok Recipe
The internet got this one right. Crisp cucumbers, a spicy-sweet dressing, and sesame seeds come together for a salad that’s quick, bold, and full of crunch. If you need a no-fuss addition to your list of hearty salad recipes, this one’s worth trying.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad TikTok Recipe
Peach Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe
Peaches and tomatoes might seem like an odd pair, but they know what they’re doing. With fresh mozzarella and basil, this salad walks the line between fresh and filling. If hearty salad recipes with a little unexpected flair are your thing, this one delivers.
Get the Recipe: Peach Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe
10-Minute Watermelon Rind Salad with Feta & Arugula
Think watermelon rind is just trash? Think again. Tossed with feta and peppery arugula, it turns into a crisp, refreshing salad that belongs in your lineup of hearty salad recipes. Quick, resourceful, and surprisingly good.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Watermelon Rind Salad with Feta & Arugula
Kachumber Salad
This simple, no-fuss salad is all about bright flavors and fresh ingredients. Crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions come together with a squeeze of lime for a salad that’s equal parts refreshing and bold. A solid addition to any hearty salad recipes collection.
Get the Recipe: Kachumber Salad