While I love a good salad, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve eaten an entire meal just to become one. hungry again an hour later. Spring break is just around the corner and while I’m doing my best to healthy eating, I’m also working out and craving some hearty food. Protein-rich salad recipe to the rescue! I’ve been on the hunt for delicious salads that both plant-based and animal protein to keep me satisfied until dinner, or it even works as dinner. Luckily, the internet is full of salad recipes that use white beans, lentils, turkey, chicken, and avocado to feed my body. the protein boost it needs. Keep reading for the best high-protein salad recipes to get you going.
Featured image of Suruchi Avasthi.
Check out the 12 best protein-rich salad recipes on the Internet!
Shredded Kale & Cranberry Salad with Deep-Fried Tofu
Why we love it: I never liked tofu until I tried it in this salad. Camille shares her technique for making this plant-based protein the crunchy star of this recipe. The key lies in pressing the tofu to get all the water out, so the flavors can seep in. Chopped kale, cranberries, and peanuts will turn this salad into a coveted vegetarian dinner.
Hero composition: Don’t knock tofu until you try it.
Get the recipe for Shredded Kale & Cranberry Salad with Deep-Fried Tofu.
Lentil, Kale and White Bean Salad from Bev Cooks
Why we love it: This veggie salad is the protein-packed lunch or side salad you’ve always dreamed of. It’s full of green French lentils, white beans, honey-roasted pecans, and seasoned with lots of lemon and parsley. Once the lentils are cooked, simply toss the rest of the fish in and enjoy.
Hero composition: Lentils contain about the same amount of protein as they are full of flavor.
Get the recipe for Lentil, Kale and White Bean Salad.
Chickpeas, corn and avocado salad with Poblano Vinaigrette toast
Why we love it: Vegan, gluten-free and full of plant-based protein, this Mexican chopped salad should always be on your meal plan. It’s smoky, sweet, and bursting with flavors and healthy seasonal veggies. This salad keeps great in the fridge and is kept while travelling, making it ideal for light parties and picnics.
Hero composition: Please add chickpeas.
Get the recipe for Chickpeas, corn and avocado salad with Poblano Vinaigrette toast.
Persian Walnut Salad from Home Meals
Why we love it: Can we talk about how gorgeous this salad is? Cucumbers, radishes, and feta (optional if you’re a vegan) give this dish a nice texture and color, not to mention flavor. However, it is the toasted walnuts that make this salad so nutrient-dense. Not only are walnuts a great source of protein, fiber, and vegetable fats, but they add the perfect crunch to every bite. It also goes great with grilled chicken for extra protein.
Hero composition: The nutrients in walnuts are nuts!
Get the recipe for Persian Walnut Salad.
Black lentil salad with grilled vegetables & goat cheese
Why we love it: This salad embodies the phrase “eat the rainbow.” It uses sweet roasted carrots and crispy, semi-spicy brussel sprouts to form a hearty meal that will keep you satisfied until dinner. Lentils do double that with little flavor and a great source of protein. You can marinate lentils as part of your weekly meal to make this salad easier to prepare.
Hero composition: Any vegetable prepared this way is a hero in my book.
Get the recipe for Black lentil salad with grilled vegetables & goat cheese.
Arugula Salad with Shrimp Pesto, Parmesan and White Beans from Foodie Crush
Why we love it: This salad is the ultimate weekday lunch recipe. But be warned: you’ll also want to eat it for dinner. You can start with frozen or fresh shrimp and when it’s cooked with all the delicious garlic, red peppers and pesto, you simply mix the rest together and eat. Both shrimp and white beans add plenty of protein to this salad and make it hearty enough to be a main course.
Hero composition: Shrimp are high in protein and low in fat… AKA is my kind of hero.
Get the recipe for Arugula Salad with Shrimp Pesto, Parmesan and White Beans.
Spicy Turkish Taco Salad with Baja Sauce from Half Grilled Harvest
Why we love it: I’m a taco salad aficionado, but this one is on another level. Baja Dressing is made with Greek yogurt, jalepeños, honey, cilantro, and chives and is like a tastier version of spicy ranch. Plus, it’s made with lean, high-protein turkey and black beans for an extra protein boost. I would eat protein-rich salad recipes for every meal if they all tasted this good. (Disclaimer: The recipes in this round absolutely do.)
Hero composition: Ask for each taco salad to be made with ground turkey.
Get the recipe for Spicy Turkish Taco Salad with Baja Dressing.
Lemony White Bean Salad with Prosciutto from Inspiring Flavors
Why we love it: Extremely fresh and light, this arugula salad is lemony, spicy, and easy to eat. You can also make this salad before following the recipe’s tip to mix the beans, parmesan, and parsley with the dressing and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Just take them out 30 minutes in advance and toss with greens and prosciutto.
Hero composition: Beans, beans, magic fruit…
Get the recipe for Lemony White Bean Salad with Prosciutto.
Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Cajun Cream Sauce from Cafe Delites
Why we love it: This Cajun salad is creamy, spicy, easy to eat, and delicious. It uses homemade Cajun seasoning mix so you can easily control the seasoning according to your heat tolerance. The magic that comes from saving a teaspoon of chicken seasoning for the sauce, brings all the ingredients of this salad together in the most delicious way. It’s the chicken that makes it one of my favorite high-protein salad recipes.
Hero composition: Cajun seasoned chicken may be my new favorite source of protein.
Get the recipe for Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Cajun Cream Sauce.
Feta Salad with White Beans and Lemon
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love feta cheese? Any salad that has feta on the ingredients list, let alone the title, immediately catches my attention. Its flavor pairs perfectly with this recipe’s lemon to create one of the most unique salads I’ve ever tasted. Both feta and white beans make this salad high in protein and filling. Plus, it’s a no-frills recipe derived from a pantry dive, so chances are, you have all the ingredients on hand.
Hero composition: It is not possible to earn more betta than feta.
Get the recipe for Feta Salad with White Beans and Lemon.
BLT Salad with Applegate Bacon and Creamy Chive Horseradish Dressing No more crumbs
Why we love it: BLT lovers, rejoice. This salad is the Whole30, gluten-free version of your favorite sandwich. While you get some protein from the bacon, eggs and avocados give it an extra boost. Trust me: You’ll want to save this oven-baked bacon method for future lunches.
Hero composition: Who knew bacon could be so easy?
Get the recipe for BLT Salad with Applegate Bacon and Creamy Chive Horseradish Dressing.
Do you have a suitable salad recipe? Share your favorites below!
