While I love a good salad, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve eaten an entire meal only to be hungry again an hour later. Summer is in full swing, and while I’m doing my best to eat healthy, I’m also working out and craving some hearty foods. High Protein Salad Recipes to the Rescue! I’m always on the lookout for delicious salads that contain both plant-based and animal-based proteins that will keep me satisfied until dinner or even serve as dinner in their own right.
Luckily, the internet is filled with salad recipes that utilize white beans, lentils, turkey, chicken, and avocado to give my body the protein it needs. Read on for the best high-protein salad recipes to get you through the day.
The best high protein salad recipes
Contrary to popular belief, salads can be a super nutritious tool that can help you meet your daily protein intake. Grilled chicken is my go-to because it provides lean protein and is the base for almost any flavor or dish. Another great option is hard-boiled eggs, which in addition to their high protein content, provide essential vitamins and minerals.
For plant-based protein, you can add ingredients like chickpeas, black beans, or tofu, all of which can be grilled, baked, or sautéed to suit your salad. Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds are great ingredients to pair with your main protein ingredient in a vibrant, high-protein salad recipe.
Crispy Torn Halloumi Salad
Why we love it: This halloumi salad is a game-changer because of the perfect balance of salty, crispy cheese and fresh, vibrant veggies. The tangy seasoning ties everything together, making every bite a study in delicious flavor. Trust me, this is a dish that will have everyone at the table asking for another order.
Hero ingredients: If you don’t put halloumi on your salad – just scrape it off, everything-What are you doing? Mild but not at all bland, the cheese becomes perfectly crispy with just a simple toast in the oven. Yes, it’s packed with hearty, satisfying protein.
Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad
Why we love it: This spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad is a bowl of summer, combining juicy, sweet watermelon with tangy feta and a blast of heat. Fresh mint and lime juice add an irresistibly refreshing flavor. Considered to be the most popular.
Hero ingredients: Not only does the feta add a welcome salty, Mediterranean flavor, but it also adds a bit of protein to the salad.
Avocado Caprese Salad
Why we love it: This Avocado Caprese Salad is a delicious twist on a classic, combining creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese. The basil and balsamic glaze ties it all together for a flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying. This is the perfect dish for those who want a light but delicious summer salad.
Hero ingredients: Give it up and eat avocado—forever.
Grapefruit and Avocado Salad
Why we love it: Chickpeas are always a high-protein winner. Depending on how you prepare them, they can be crunchy or creamy, but always filling. The fresh flavors of avocado, grapefruit, and golden beets are perfectly showcased in this salad. Perfectly roasted and seasoned, they’re always a great complement to fresh vegetables.
Hero ingredients: The golden turmeric honey sauce is mouth-watering. Be sure to make plenty because you’ll be drizzling it on everything this week and beyond.
mediterranean grain bowl
Why we love it: I usually have a grain bowl for almost every dinner during the week – including this recipe. Quinoa is a versatile base for any bowl and an even better source of protein. Juicy fruits like cherry tomatoes and grapes are the perfect complement to the fresh herbs in this rounded bowl.
Hero ingredients: Greek yogurt—the key ingredient in this bowl of homemade dressing—is another added protein.
Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Goat Cheese
Why we love it: This salad is the embodiment of the saying “eat the rainbow”. It’s made with sweet roasted carrots and crispy, semi-spiced Brussels sprouts to keep you full until dinner. Lentils are both a little burst of flavor and a great source of protein. You can marinate lentils as part of your weekly meal prep to make salads easier to make.
Hero ingredients: Any vegetable prepared this way is a hero in my book.
Feta Salad with White Beans and Lemon
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love feta cheese? Any salad with feta cheese in the ingredient list, let alone the title, immediately catches my attention. Its flavor blends perfectly with the lemony kick of this recipe to create one of the most unique salads I’ve ever tasted. Feta cheese and white beans both make this salad protein-rich and filling. Plus, here’s a no-recipe recipe from a pantry dive. Chances are, you have all the ingredients on hand.
Hero ingredients: You won’t find a better betta than feta cheese.
Mexican Chopped Salad
Why we love it: I like my salads to have a noticeable crunch, and this Mexican Chopped Salad does the trick. Chickpeas plus a mixture of sunflower and pumpkin seeds add enough protein to this fresh, colorful salad to keep you going strong.
Hero ingredients: A little cheese fresco is the ultimate ingredient in the best Mexican inspired dishes.
Shredded Kale and Cranberry Salad with Crispy Tofu
Why we love it: I never liked tofu until I tried it in a salad. Camille shares her technique for turning this plant-based protein into the crispy star of this recipe. The key is to press all the water out of the tofu and let the flavor in.
Hero ingredients: Don’t knock the tofu until you try it.
Apple Walnut Salad
Why we love it: If you’re looking for protein in nuts, walnuts are your new friend. This salad is the perfect fall bowl to keep healthy and nutritious when we want to lean into comfort food (we’re looking at you, pumpkin spice).
Hero ingredients: Crumbled goat cheese makes any salad a winner.
Fennel Chickpea Salad with Mint Chutney
Why we love it: In addition to being amazing, this chickpea-based salad is easy to throw together for a protein-packed meal prep recipe. As someone who isn’t a big fan of red onions, one trick I learned from this recipe is to cut the onions in half and soak them in water for about an hour, which reduces the bite of raw red onions.
Hero ingredients: Garam masala is necessary for a well-seasoned bowl.
White Bean and Chicory Salad
Why we love it: Chicory—a summer staple in my kitchen—shines in this delicious salad. Cannellini beans bring protein and flavor, complemented by tangy lemon and Parmesan cheese.
Hero ingredients: Cannellini beans should win the award for most popular and delicious meat-free protein source. (Sorry about the tofu!)
Charlie Bird Farro Salad
Why we love it: This farro salad is packed with greens and grains that come together to make the most delicious, hearty bowl. A quarter cup of farro contains six grams of protein, making it a competitor to quinoa in the high-protein grain category.
Hero ingredients: You can’t go wrong with Parmesan cheese. once.
Spring Rice Salad
Why we love it: When there are eggs in my salad, I automatically know I’m going to feel fuller than when I’m just munching on some veggies. This spring rice salad is packed with protein from eggs and has the perfect balance of carbs and greens from rice, peas, and fresh herbs.
Hero ingredients: Top with chili oil for the perfect texture.
Warm Spinach Artichoke Salad with Quinoa Crisps
Why we love it: If you like warm salads, then you should start with this recipe. Sheela Prakash shared this incredible recipe that changed our dinner plans forever. Quinoa, spinach, and lemon juice are just some of the nutrient-dense ingredients in this gorgeous bowl.
Hero ingredients: If you haven’t added canned artichokes to your list of must-have pantry staples, start with this recipe.
