30 Best Easy Healthy Salads

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30 Healthy Salads â€” Looking for easy salad recipes that are both filling and flavorful? The 30 healthy salads on this list are the BEST salads you’ll ever eat!!

30 Healthy Salads â€” Looking for easy salad recipes that are both filling and flavorful? The 30 healthy salads on this list are the BEST salads you'll ever eat!!

The BEST Healthy Salad Recipes

I love salads, and for me a salad means more than just lettuce with some dressing on it. Snore-bore and life is way too short for boring food.

You don’t have to have lettuce to have a salad in my book. But you do have to include lots of crunchy vegetables with different textures and flavors coated in an irresistible homemade dressing or vinaigrette. I love the variety that can be created by adding quinoa, black beans, edamame, or cheese to salad.

Here are 30 of my favorite healthy salads broken down into three sections: Chicken, Beef/Bacon/Fish, and Vegetarian. Most of the vegetarian salads can be made vegan by simply omitting the cheese. The majority of the following 30 easy salad recipes are naturally gluten-free but of course the pasta salads and salads with chips on them aren’t gluten-free.

All are easy, ready in under 30 minutes, and loaded with big time flavor and lots of crunch!

Healthy Salads with Chicken

Thai Peanut Chicken Salad â€” Eat the rainbow with this easy, healthy salad that’s ready in 20 minutes! Juicy chicken and crisp vegetables are tossed in the best peanut sauce!

Thai Peanut Chicken Salad - Eat the RAINBOW with this EASY, healthy salad that's ready in 20 minutes!! Juicy chicken and crisp vegetables are tossed in the BEST PEANUT SAUCE ever!!

Strawberry Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad with Pecan Butter Vinaigrette â€” The chicken is so JUICY and moist thanks to a homemade pecan butter marinade!! Sweet strawberries and crunchy pecans add extra texture and FLAVOR!!

Strawberry Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad with Pecan Butter Vinaigrette - The chicken is so JUICY and moist thanks to a homemade pecan butter marinade!! Sweet strawberries and crunchy pecans add extra texture and FLAVOR!!

Chicken Gyro Salad with Tzatziki Sauce â€” Chicken gyros transformed into a healthy salad with an easy homemade tzatziki sauce that’s loaded with tangy dill flavor! Ready in 20 minutes!

Chicken Gyro Salad with Tzatziki Sauce - Chicken gyros transformed into a HEALTHY salad with an EASY homemade tzatziki sauce that's loaded with tangy dill FLAVOR!! Ready in 20 minutes!!

Loaded Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing â€“ Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! All your favorite taco flavors in one big kickin’ salad that everyone will love! 

Loaded Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing - Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! All your favorite taco flavors in one big kickin' salad that everyone will love!!

Chicken Orzo Salad â€“ Juicy chicken tossed with orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a super flavorful lemon vinaigrette! Easy, healthy, ready in 30 minutes, and a perfect way to use your garden fresh veggies!

Orzo Chicken Salad - Juicy chicken tossed with orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a super flavorful lemon vinaigrette!! Easy, healthy, ready in 30 minutes, and a perfect way to use your garden fresh veggies!!

Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad â€“ Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners!

Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad - Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners!!

Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad â€” Juicy chicken coated in balsamic along with plump tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil!! Easy, healthy, ready in 15 minutes! The caprese salad you’ll make again and again!

Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad - Juicy chicken coated in balsamic along with plump tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil!! Easy, healthy, ready in 15 minutes! The caprese salad you'll make AGAIN and again!!

Apple, White Cheddar, and Grilled Chicken Salad â€” All the flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!! The Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette doubles as marinade + salad dressing to save time!!

Apple, White Cheddar, and Grilled Chicken Salad - All the flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!! The Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette doubles as marinade + salad dressing to save time!!

Pesto Chicken Caprese Salad — Homemade pesto coats every bite of juicy chicken, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella in this fun twist on caprese salad! Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with rich basil flavor!

Pesto Chicken Caprese Salad - Homemade pesto coats every bite of JUICY chicken, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella in this fun twist on caprese salad!! EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with rich basil flavor!!

Layered Loaded Chicken Taco Salad â€” Juicy chicken, avocado, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips, and more in this loaded salad that’s easy and ready in 15 minutes! A creamy lime-cilantro dressing adds tons of flavor!

Layered Loaded Chicken Taco Salad - Juicy chicken, avocado, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips, and more in this LOADED salad that's EASY and ready in 15 minutes!! A creamy lime-cilantro dressing adds tons of FLAVOR!!

Italian Chicken Pasta Salad â€“ Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthy! Bursting with fresh flavors from juicy tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parmesan, and tender chicken tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette!

Italian Chicken Pasta Salad - Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthy! Bursting with fresh flavors from juicy tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parmesan, and tender chicken tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette!!

Healthy Salads with Beef/Bacon/Fish

Loaded Beef Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing â€” Loaded with your favorite taco fixings, minus the shells, to keep things healthier without sacrificing any flavor! The dressing is easy, creamy and irresistible! 

Loaded Beef Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing - Loaded with your favorite taco fixings, minus the shells, to keep things healthier without sacrificing any FLAVOR!! The dressing is easy, creamy and IRRESISTIBLE!!

BLT Pasta Salad â€” Easy, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and perfect for potlucks and parties! Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and bacon! Guaranteed family favorite!

BLT Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties!! Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON! Guaranteed family FAVORITE!!

BLT Chopped Salad with Homemade Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing â€“ Fast, fresh, healthy, and satisfying! 

BLT Chopped Salad with Homemade Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing - Fast, fresh, healthy & satisfying!

The Best Broccoli Salad â€” My favorite recipe for the classic salad with a tangy dressing that everyone loves! Flavor and texture galore in this easy salad that’s perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks!

The Best Broccoli Salad - My FAVORITE recipe for the classic salad with a tangy dressing that everyone LOVES!! Flavor and texture galore in this EASY salad that's perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks!!

Honey Lemon-Glazed Salmon Salad â€“ Coated with a tangy-sweet glaze that doubles as a light and bright salad vinaigrette! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! An awesome 15-minute meal!

Honey Lemon-Glazed Salmon Salad - Coated with a tangy-sweet glaze that doubles as a light and bright salad vinaigrette! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! An awesome 15-minute meal!!

Vegetarian Healthy Salads

Skinny Mexican Bean and Corn Salad â€” Two kinds of beans, juicy corn, tomatoes, peppers, and more tossed in a light chili-lime-cumin vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 5 minutes, and loaded with flavor!

Skinny Mexican Bean and Corn Salad - Two kinds of beans, juicy corn, tomatoes, peppers, and more tossed in a light chili-lime-cumin vinaigrette!! HEALTHY, EASY, ready in 5 minutes, and loaded with flavor!!

Greek Pita Chip Salad â€“ Greek salad just got a makeover! Still uses classic ingredients like red peppers, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta but now there are pita chips for extra crunch and texture! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes!

Greek Pita Chip Salad - Greek salad just got a makeover!! Still uses classic ingredients like red peppers, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta but now there are PITA CHIPS for extra crunch and texture! EASY, HEALTHY, ready in 10 minutes!!
Twelve Superfoods Salad â€“ Trying to eat healthier? Make this easy, flavorful salad! Loaded with everything healthy and it tastes awesome! Kale, quinoa, edamame, blueberries, grapes, seeds, nuts, and more!

Twelve Superfoods Salad - Trying to eat healthier? MAKE THIS easy, flavorful salad!! Loaded with everything HEALTHY and it tastes awesome! Kale, quinoa, edamame, blueberries, grapes, seeds, nuts, and more!!

Mediterranean Cobb Salad â€” An easy, healthy Mediterranean twist on classic Cobb salad that’s ready in 10 minutes! Artichokes, olives, peppers, cucumbers, feta, and more! The vinaigrette is light yet flavorful and delish!

Mediterranean Cobb Salad - An EASY, HEALTHY, Mediterranean twist on classic Cobb salad that's ready in 10 minutes!! Artichokes, olives, peppers, cucumbers, feta, and more! The vinaigrette is light yet flavorful and DELISH!!

Garden Fresh Tortellini Pasta Salad â€“ Juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and corn with creamy avocado, basil and parmesan tossed in lemon vinaigrette with cheese tortellini! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes!

Garden Fresh Tortellini Pasta Salad - Juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and corn with creamy avocado, basil and parmesan tossed in lemon vinaigrette with cheese tortellini!! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes!

Apple, White Cheddar, and Spinach Salad with Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette â€“ The flavors just pop in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!

Apple, White Cheddar, and Spinach Salad with Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette - The flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!

Garden Fresh Quinoa Salad â€” Loaded with everything fresh, light, healthy, and summery! Great for parties, potlucks, and lunch boxes because there’s no mayo! Make this easy and flavorful dish before summer disappears!

Garden Fresh Quinoa Salad - Loaded with everything fresh, light, healthy, and SUMMERY!! Great for parties, potlucks, and lunch boxes because there's no mayo! Make this EASY and flavorful dish before summer disappears!!

Spinach Blueberry Superfoods Salad â€“ So many textures and flavors in this hearty salad filled with superfoods! Spinach, blueberries, dried cranberries, almonds, and more! Easy, satisfying, healthy, and tastes amazing!

Spinach Blueberry Superfoods Salad - So many textures and flavors in this hearty salad filled with SUPERFOODS!! Spinach, blueberries, dried cranberries, almonds, and more! EASY, satisfying, healthy, and tastes amazing!!

Tropical Chickpea Salad â€“ Pineapple, mango, pineapple salsa, and pico de gallo tossed with chickpeas for a salad that tastes like a tropical vacation! Easy, ready in 5 minutes, loaded with sweet-yet-savory flavor, and so healthy!

Tropical Chickpea Salad - Pineapple, mango, pineapple salsa, and pico de gallo tossed with chickpeas for a salad that tastes like a tropical vacation!! Easy, ready in 5 minutes, loaded with sweet-yet-savory flavor, and so healthy!!

Sweet and Sour Zucchini Corn Salad â€” Packed with big, bold flavors and tons of crunch! Healthy, light, bright, and cheery!

Sweet and Sour Zucchini Corn Salad - Packed with big, bold flavors and tons of crunch! Healthy, light and not just another salad!

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad â€“ Goodbye mayo-loaded, mushy, boring potato salad. Hello to a Mexican-inspired potato salad full of flavor and texture with corn, black beans, peppers, and cilantro!

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad - Goodbye mayo-loaded, mushy, boring potato salad. Hello to a Mexican-inspired potato salad full of flavor and texture with corn, black beans, peppers, and cilantro!! (Great for outdoor events and lunchboxes because there's no mayo!)

Strawberry, Avocado, and Kale Salad with Strawberry-Apple Cider Vinaigrette â€“ Make a kale lover out of anyone in this healthy salad with creamy avocado and juicy berries!

Strawberry, Avocado, and Kale Salad with Strawberry-Apple Cider Vinaigrette - Make a kale lover out of anyone in this healthy salad with creamy avocado and juicy berries!

Avocado, Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime-Cumin Vinaigrette â€“ Everything tastes better with avocado! Easy, healthy and tons of flavor!

Avocado, Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime-Cumin Vinaigrette - Everything tastes better with avocado!! Easy, healthy and tons of flavor!

Ravioli and Summer Vegetable Spinach Salad â€“ Crisp-tender zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and chickpeas over spinach with cheesy ravioli and a dijon vinaigrette! A healthy yet hearty salad that takes advantage of summer!

Ravioli and Summer Vegetable Spinach Salad - Crisp-tender zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and chickpeas over spinach with cheesy ravioli and a dijon vinaigrette!! A HEALTHY yet hearty salad that takes advantage of SUMMER!!

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Quinoa Salad â€“ Trying to keep meals healthier & lighter? Make this easy, refreshing, and satisfying salad! 

Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Quinoa Salad (GF) - Trying to keep meals healthier & lighter? Make this easy, refreshing & satisfying salad!

Cranberry, Apple, and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry-Apple Cider Dressing â€” All the flavors of fall in one gorgeous, hearty, and healthy salad!! The easy, tart-and-sweet dressing is just bursting with flavor!!

Cranberry, Apple, and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry-Apple Cider Dressing - All the flavors of fall in one gorgeous, hearty, and healthy salad!! The easy, tart-and-sweet dressing is just bursting with flavor!!

Lemon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Almond Quinoa Salad â€“  Fast, easy, and fresh! Bright flavors and loads of texture! This clean-eating salad keeps you full and satisfied! Healthy never tasted so good!

Lemon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Almond Quinoa Salad - Fast, easy, and fresh! Bright flavors and loads of texture! This clean-eating salad keeps you full and satisfied! Healthy never tasted so good!! (No mayo and great for outdoor events or lunch boxes!)

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Harvest Salad â€” Easy and packed with big fall flavors! Maple syrup, squash, and cranberries were made for each other! Love it when healthy tastes so good!

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Harvest Salad - Easy and packed with big fall flavors!! Maple syrup, squash, and cranberries were made for each other! Love it when healthy tastes so good!!

Originally published July 19, 2017 and republished for clarity January 1, 2020.

30 Best Easy Healthy Salads -Looking for easy salad recipes that are both filling and flavorful? The 30 healthy salads on this list are the BEST salads you'll ever eat!

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. I am just curious which ones of these you consider healthy? Pretty much all of these are filled with carbs and/or lots of fat so they don’t seem that healthy. Maybe you could narrow it down from 30 to the ones you really consider healthy because I have met you before and you seem pretty healthy and so I would be curious to know.

    1. To each their own in the pursuit of ‘healthy’. Generally most people would consider salads healthy. There are vegetarian and vegan options here. There are some with carbs and fat. I run a lot and I have a very active daughter. We don’t shy away from carbs and fat in salads. I think carbs and fat in salads are much different than in say a piece of fried chicken.

      Enjoy the options I presented, if of course they seem to work for your lifestyle and needs.

  2. Dear Averie,
    Just want to thank you for being “THE MAIN STAPLE” in my kitchen in “2019” . Thank you for your endless talents and ingenuity. May “2020” bring you happiness, good health, and prosperity.

    All the Best,
    DEB

    1. I am honored to have been the main staple for your recipes in 2019! I really appreciate comments like this because it helps keep me going, truly appreciated! Have a wonderful 2020 and all the best!

  3. Dear Averie,
    Just want to thank you for being “THE MAIN STAPLE” in my kitchen in “2019” . Thank you for your endless talents and ingenuity. May “2020” bring you happiness, good health, and prosperity.

    All the Best,
    DEB

  4. Hi, just found your website a few weeks ago. I LOVE it, thank you for such a wonderful website and all your time and hard work that goes into it.

    Sharon

  5. so many amazingly healthy and delicious recipes in one place, thank you so much and Happy Summer to you xoox

  6. These salads are perfect for the remainder of the summer: thank you so much!!  We will enjoy a different one every other day.

  7. I’ve been trying to incorporate more healthy meals in my diet in the past few weeks and have hit a salad rut. But now? I’m so excited to get in the kitchen and try some of these! I think I’m going to start with the cranberry, apple & bleu cheese…that one looks soooo yummy! Thanks for sharing :)

  8. I love making your salads and you have created so many delicious combinations!! This post has inspired me to to repeat the corn and zucchini, strawberry pecan and gyro over the next few days. I can take advantage of some summer produce with them!

    1. I think you make more of my salads than anyone else and I’m so flattered! And glad this inspired you to re-make a few while the summer produce is in season!