38 Healthy Salads for Lunch Recipes
Shake up your weekday lunch with these tasty, healthy salads for lunch recipes that are great on the go. Make a filling and healthy salad that will power you through any work day. Full of protein and fiber these quick salads are an easy way to spruce up your lunch.

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If you’re looking for a fresh and delicious way to upgrade your lunch routine, you’re in the right place. Salads are the perfect way to enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains—all in one satisfying meal. Plus, with 38 healthy salad recipes to choose from, there’s no excuse for a boring lunch!

Which salad are you trying first? Let me know in the comments!
What makes salads a healthy lunch choice?
Salads pack a serious nutritional punch. With a mix of colorful veggies, protein-rich toppings, and fiber-filled grains, they provide a balanced meal that keeps you feeling full and energized. Eating a wide variety of produce gives your body essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, leafy greens and raw veggies help with digestion and hydration.
Unlike heavy, carb-loaded lunches that can leave you sluggish, a well-made salad gives you the fuel you need to power through the rest of the day. And with so many different flavors and textures, eating healthy never feels like a chore.
What makes these salads perfect for lunch?
Each of these salads is designed to be filling, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Many can be made ahead of time, making them ideal for meal prep. Whether you need a protein-packed option like Avocado Chicken Salad or something light and refreshing like Summer Peach Salad with Fresh Mint Dressing, there’s something for every craving.
Some feature grains like quinoa, farro, or couscous, adding extra texture and heartiness. Others include nuts, seeds, or cheese for a boost of healthy fats and protein. No matter which one you choose, you’ll get a meal that’s both satisfying and packed with nutrients.
Is it OK to eat a salad for lunch?
Absolutely! Salads can be a complete and balanced meal when they include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. The key is to make sure your salad has enough variety to keep you full.
For example, a bowl of plain lettuce might not cut it, but adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, nuts, or whole grains turns it into a meal that will keep you satisfied for hours. Plus, with homemade dressings and flavorful toppings, salads are anything but boring.
Why you’ll actually want to eat these salads
Forget bland lettuce and sad, soggy greens. These salads are full of exciting flavors, textures, and fresh ingredients. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, tangy, or crunchy, you’ll find a salad that checks all the boxes.
Healthy Salads for Lunch Recipes
From the hearty Classic Cobb Salad to the fresh and fruity Strawberry Feta and Mint Salad, there’s a mix of classic favorites and creative new combos. Love Mexican flavors? Try the Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad. Need something refreshing? The Cranberry Mandarin Orange Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a must.
With 38 different recipes to choose from, your lunch routine just got a whole lot more exciting. Check out the full list of recipes below and get ready to enjoy the easiest, healthiest, and most delicious lunches ever!
Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing Recipe
This dinner salad isn't just a meal—it's an experience. It's a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. So, whether you're enjoying it as a solo supper or sharing it with loved ones, this Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing is sure to elevate any dinner table and leave you feeling nourished, satisfied, and utterly delighted.
Strawberry Feta and Mint Salad Recipe
This salad is super refreshing and the perfect balance between savory and sweet…the sweet honey homemade dressing is absolutely delicious! Enjoy this summertime salad with your favourite BBQ protein, or add grilled chicken for a complete dinner salad.
Cranberry and Mandarin Orange Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
This salad is a nutritious delight featuring mixed greens, tangy mandarin oranges, cranberries, and crunchy almonds. Drizzle it with the refreshing Orange Poppy Seed Dressing for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Summer Berry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Salad Dressing Recipe
Boost your immune system this summer with this healthy and incredibly simple spinach salad topped with raspberries, blueberries, almonds, and a delightful balsamic vinegar dressing.
Classic Cobb Salad Recipe
The perfect hearty cobb salad recipe loaded with so much more than just lettuce - it's got blue cheese, bacon, avocado, eggs, chicken, and onion. I love this classic cobb salad recipe, and you will too!
Berry Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Berry Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette is a delightful mix of fresh baby spinach and arugula, sweet raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy honey-roasted pecans. All of this is tossed together and drizzled with a homemade creamy balsamic vinaigrette. This salad is a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.
Summer Peach Salad with Fresh Mint Dressing Recipe
This Summer Peach Salad has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and fresh flavors! Featuring seasonal peaches, blueberries, avocado, red onions and blue cheese, this summer salad is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Grilled Peach Summer Salad Recipe
Elevate your late summer BBQ's with our elegant grilled peach salad featuring juicy peaches, peppery arugula, and crunchy pistachios in every delightful bite!
Peach Strawberry and Blueberry Salad with Honey Lime Dressing Recipe
This vibrant salad combines smoky grilled peaches with juicy berries, sweet corn, creamy goat cheese, crunchy sunflower seeds, and a zesty honey lime vinaigrette. It's a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for summer gatherings or light lunches.
Feta Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
This quick and easy Feta Bruschetta Pasta Salad packs bold flavours to pair perfectly with your summer grilling feasts and is sure to be a big hit at your next BBQ or cookout.
Vegetarian Mexican Pasta Salad Recipe
Tender pasta is combined with Mexican-inspired flavors that's loaded with corn, black beans, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and a creamy lime dressing for a fresh and delicious summer side salad!
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Whether you call this Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad or Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad, this salad is sure to be a hit! This pasta salad is loaded with your favorite pasta noodles, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella and tossed in the best tasty pesto! It’s such an easy dish and perfect for anytime of the year!
Classic Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
Tuna pasta salad is a classic dish that's easy to make, delicious, and perfect for meal prep. Made with pasta, canned tuna, and your favorite vegetables, it's a healthy and satisfying option for lunch or dinner.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe
Loaded with crunchy vegetables and tender juicy shrimps, this creamy shrimp pasta salad is easy and quick to make and it’s absolutely delicious. This refreshing summer salad can be made with only a few ingredients and it’s perfect for picnics and potlucks.
Bow Tie Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
This delightful mediterranean pasta salad recipe features tender bow tie pasta mixed with colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and briny Kalamata olives. To add a creamy twist, we toss in crumbled feta cheese and a generous amount of tangy Greek dressing, creating a harmony of flavors that's both refreshing and satisfying.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Mediterranean Orzo Salad with a zesty Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing. A refreshing and easy recipe for a delightful meal.
Lemon Couscous Salad Recipe
Looking for a vibrant and flavorful dish to bring to your next summer potluck or to enjoy as a light meal on a warm day? Look no further than this Zesty Lemon Couscous Salad! Bursting with freshness and tanginess, this salad is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
The perfect summer side dish—fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ or just want a quick and delicious meal, this salad is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Say hello to the Greek Orzo Salad—a vibrant, refreshing dish that's bursting with Mediterranean flavors and perfect for any meal. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to satisfy.
Autumn Pasta Salad Recipe
This hearty pasta salad combines the rich flavors of roasted butternut squash, tart cranberries, and a Tangy Maple Dijon dressing. It's perfect for a seasonal gathering or a simple weeknight dinner.
TikTok Quinoa Salad Recipe
Craving something healthy and delicious? Look no further than this Chickpea and Pistachio Quinoa Salad! This easy-to-make, TikTok Salad is a filling and tasty meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. Try it for yourself and see why it's one of my most popular healthy salad recipes!
Harvest Quinoa Salad Recipe
This Harvest Quinoa Salad is a delightful mix of texture and flavors of autumn and fall. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, red apple, spinach, sunflower seeds, protein-rich quinoa, and an apple cider vinaigrette, this gluten-free, plant-based recipe is a show-stopper!
Autumn Harvest Quinoa Power Bowl Recipe
Indulge in autumn's bounty with this Autumn Harvest Quinoa Power Bowl featuring roasted veggies, protein-packed quinoa, and a sweet maple balsamic dressing—a delicious and nutritious seasonal delight!
Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes bring a touch of sweetness to a nutrient-packed mix of quinoa, black beans, and chopped baby kale. Topped with a creamy avocado dressing, crunchy pepitas, and sliced scallion, this vibrant bowl is a celebration of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.
Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad Recipe
This healthy salad sensation features nutrient-packed kale, sweet apples, and antioxidant-rich blueberries, all dancing harmoniously with crispy bacon, and a luscious goat cheese twist topped with a delightful balsamic vinaigrette.
Butter Bean and Walnut Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing Recipe
A warm and hearty vegan and gluten-free kale salad featuring quinoa, sautéed butter beans, shallots, and walnuts, all topped with a luscious maple tahini dressing.
Healthy Vegetarian Southwestern Grain Bowl Recipe
The Southwestern Grain Bowl with Quinoa is a vibrant and nutritious dish featuring fluffy quinoa mixed with black beans, corn, colorful bell peppers, and zesty spices. Topped with creamy avocado slices and a burst of fresh lime, this bowl offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal choice.
Quinoa and Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing Recipe
This roasted cauliflower salad is packed with hearty vegetables, vibrant greens, and a tangy lemon-tahini dressing. It's a satisfying and versatile dish, perfect as a main or side for any meal.
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl with Chickpeas and Spinach Recipe
This quinoa bowl is a flavorful blend of tender grains, savory olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, balanced with hearty chickpeas and fresh spinach. It's a wholesome and versatile recipe perfect as a main course or a side dish.
Easy Farro Summer Salad Recipe
This summer farro salad recipe with fresh grape tomatoes, cucumbers, basil from your garden and tasty vinaigrette is a perfect, easy meal prep idea or potluck side dish.
Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad – Chipotle seasoned chicken tossed with all your favorite southwestern fixings in an edible crispy taco bowl. An incredibly delicious salad with a south western bite!
Southwest Chopped Salad Recipe
Fresh and flavourful, this Southwest Chopped Salad is quick, easy, and delicious! It's loaded with fresh veggies and a hearty drizzle of a creamy homemade Southwest Ranch dressing that your whole family will love! Enjoy it as a side to Chili Lime Chicken Kabobs with Veggies, or add chicken to the salad to make it a hearty meal.
Mexican Inspired Grilled Chicken Salad with Creamy Honey Lime Dressing Recipe
This tasty chicken salad is filled with all the good stuff like cherry tomatoes, black beans, and corn right from the can so there is very little prep time. Add grilled chicken to everything and you have a delicious and healthy meal unlike any of the other chicken salads you have ever had.
Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Need an easy-to-make nutritious meal? This Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad is perfect – filled with asian flavors and protein-packed chicken to keep you full.
Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
Try this creamy and delicious avocado chicken salad recipe. Made with juicy chicken, ripe avocados, and a tangy dressing, it's a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of tender diced chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and crisp celery, all mixed in a creamy dressing with a hint of honey and Dijon mustard. This refreshing salad offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, making it a versatile and satisfying dish for any occasion.
Sonoma Chicken Salad Recipe
This fresh and flavorful chicken salad combines tender chicken, sweet grapes, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a picnic, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Which salad are you trying first? Let me know in the comments!