17 High Protein Salad Recipes

Salads are often considered light and healthy meals. But they can also be a great source of protein that can help you feel full and satisfied for longer periods. High-protein salads are a perfect meal option for health-conscious people looking to incorporate more protein into their diet. These salads are low in calories and packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to function correctly.
If you’re looking for healthy and delicious salad recipes rich in protein, you’re in luck. From classic chicken salads to vegetarian options like tofu and chickpeas, there are plenty of high-protein salad recipes.
These salads are easy to prepare, delicious, and filling, making them perfect for those looking to stay fit and healthy without compromising on taste. With these recipes, you’ll enjoy a delicious, healthy, and protein-packed meal in no time.
Mediterranean Bean Salad

Mediterranean Bean Salad is a perfect summer salad that is refreshing and loaded with nutrients. This recipe combines cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions, and cucumber to create a wholesome, fulfilling dish.
The dish is seasoned with oregano and tossed in a light, tangy dressing made of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. The result is a delicious and healthy salad perfect for lunch or dinner. This Mediterranean bean salad is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a healthy, high-protein meal.
Kidney Bean Salad

Easy and delish, this high-protein red kidney bean salad recipe is the perfect meal for a healthy, tasty, and filling dish. With just a few simple ingredients like kidney beans, sweet corn, cucumber, parsley or cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese.
This salad is packed with flavors and textures that will leave you satisfied and energized. The dressing combines tangy lime juice, olive oil, mustard, ground cumin, dried oregano, and honey, giving the salad a zesty punch. This recipe is perfect for meal prepping or making a quick and easy lunch or dinner that will keep you fueled for hours.
Thai Quinoa Salad

Thai Quinoa Salad is a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more! This salad is packed with various colorful vegetables.
This salad contains red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, and shredded red cabbage, along with nutty quinoa, cilantro, and scallions. The nut butter dressing with a touch of ginger, pure maple syrup, and tamari sauce adds a sweet and savory taste.
It’s a perfect option for a healthy lunch or light dinner and can easily be customized to your tastes. Serve with crunchy peanuts or cashews and a squeeze of lime for an extra zing.
Green Lentil Tabbouleh

Green Lentil Tabbouleh Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish satisfying your taste buds. This Middle Eastern-inspired salad is made with cooked green lentils, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a combination of fresh parsley and mint.
The diced onions and lemon juice add a zesty tang to the salad. The dish finishes with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Lentils provide a great source of protein and fiber, making it a healthy meal choice. This salad can be served cold or at room temperature and is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at dinner.
BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad is a must-try for all BBQ lovers out there! This salad is loaded with fresh greens, crunchy corn, black beans, and green onions and topped with juicy grilled chicken breast coated with a delicious BBQ sauce.
Adding shredded cheddar cheese and crispy tortilla chips elevates the dish to the next level. To top it off, the creamy BBQ dressing is the perfect finishing touch, adding flavor to this already mouth-watering dish. Whether for lunch or dinner, this salad is an ideal meal for any day of the week!
Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad with Oil-Free Tahini Dressing is a healthy and flavorful dish you’ll love! This recipe is perfect for those looking for a delicious way to add more vegetables to their diet.
The salad is made with fresh broccoli florets riced in a food processor and mixed with chickpeas, diced bell peppers, green onions, sliced almonds, dried cranberries, mint leaves, and minced parsley.
The oil-free tahini dressing perfectly complements the salad. This salad is a great way to enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Mexican Tuna Salad

Mexican Tuna Salad is a perfect recipe for those craving a flavorful and nutritious meal. Combining tuna, roasted red pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro creates a delicious mix of textures and flavors that will satisfy your taste buds.
The mixed greens and sweet corn add a refreshing touch to the dish. The dressing is a simple mix adding a zesty kick to the salad. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Avocado Egg Salad

Avocado egg salad is a refreshing and healthy twist on a classic sandwich filling. This recipe contains flavors and textures from ingredients like crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and hard-boiled eggs.
The combination of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard adds tanginess and depth to the salad. The sliced tomatoes and fresh spinach add color and extra nutrients to the sandwich.
This wholesome dish is perfect for a quick and easy lunch, and it’s a delicious way to add some healthy fats and protein to your diet. Try this recipe today and enjoy the creamy, crunchy, flavorful avocado egg salad on whole wheat bread.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Vegan Tomato & Balsamic Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a perfect blend of flavors that transports you to the Mediterranean. This salad is packed with wholesome ingredients like asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and a tangy and sweet balsamic dressing.
The pasta adds a satisfying texture to the dish, making it a perfect meal for any time of the day. This vegan recipe is easy to make and store and will impress your guests with its beautiful colors and delicious taste.
Grilled Shrimp Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad is a perfect summertime dish that will tantalize your taste buds. This salad is loaded with fresh and juicy shrimp marinated in lime juice and chili powder, then grilled to perfection.
It is accompanied by grilled corn and bell peppers that add a smoky flavor to the dish. The salad also includes mixed greens, crunchy cucumber, grape tomatoes, red onion, and creamy avocado.
All drizzled with a delicious honey-lime dressing perfectly balanced with the right amount of sweetness and tang. This salad is easy to make and healthy and packed with nutrients.
Salmon Salad

Salmon Salad with Spinach, Feta & Almonds is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a satisfying meal. The star of this recipe is the skinless salmon fillet, which is generously seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice before being baked to perfection.
The salmon is then combined with fresh organic spinach, crumbled feta, and toasted slivered almonds. Thinly sliced red onions soaked in ice water remove their sharp taste. Drizzled with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, this salad is a tasty and wholesome meal perfect for any time of day.
Leftover Turkey Salad

Leftover Turkey Salad is the perfect way to use up any turkey from Thanksgiving or any other holiday feast. This salad contains delicious ingredients like celery, red onion, dried cranberries, and roasted almonds.
The dressing is made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and dijon mustard, which gives it a tangy and slightly sweet flavor. You can enjoy this salad on top of a bed of greens, in a lettuce wrap, as a sandwich, on crackers, in a pita, or on a croissant roll.
Vegan Tempeh Salad

If you’re searching for a healthy and protein-packed vegan meal, look no further than the Vegan Protein Salad. This dish comprises a delicious and nutritious combination of ingredients, including marinated tempeh, baked tofu, steamed broccoli, fresh arugula or spinach, diced cucumber, chickpeas, and hemp seeds.
The tempeh is marinated in a blend of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. At the same time, the baked tofu is seasoned with soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
The result is a delectable and balanced mix of flavors and textures that will satisfy your taste buds. For added flavor, drizzle the salad with tahini or your favorite dressing. This vegan protein salad is delicious and packed with nutrients and protein, making it the perfect meal for any time of the day.
Chickpea Salad

Chickpea Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes is a must-try for all vegan and protein lovers. This salad is bursting with flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.
The dish starts with pan-fried chickpeas seasoned with cumin, paprika, and garlic powder for an extra kick. Then, fresh and crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and sliced red onions are combined with a tangy dressing of white wine vinegar, olive oil, and garlic for a zesty touch.
The salad is topped with chopped parsley leaves and seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. This high-protein salad is perfect for meal prep and will keep you satisfied and energized all day.
Lentil & Quinoa Salad

Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious salad recipe that’s easy to prepare and packed with plant-based protein? Look no further than this Protein-Packed Lentil & Quinoa Salad!
Featuring a colorful array of fresh veggies, including red bell peppers and spinach, this salad is loaded with flavor and texture. But the show’s real star is the protein-rich lentils and quinoa, which make this dish satisfying and filling.
Plus, with a creamy, savory dressing made with tahini, soy sauce, and miso paste, this salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you satisfied.
Antipasto Salad

Antipasto salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. This classic Italian salad is loaded with various textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
It features a bed of mixed salad greens topped with chopped salami, prosciutto, olives, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, marinated artichoke hearts, and mozzarella balls. Pepperoncini peppers add a hint of spiciness that balances out the flavors.
The salad is dressed with a zesty dressing made with olive oil, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This salad is easy to make and will surely be a hit with everyone!
Chicken Salad

Looking for a delicious and healthy way to get your daily dose of protein? Look no further than this high-protein chicken salad recipe!
This dish is packed with flavor and nutrition, made with shredded chicken breast, diced red onion, sweet apple, juicy grapes, and creamy Greek yogurt. With just a touch of garlic powder, salt, and pepper, this salad is satisfying and low in calories.
Served on top of crispy lettuce and whole grain bread, this dish is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. So why wait? Try this tasty and nutritious chicken salad recipe today!
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, salads are a great way to incorporate healthy foods into your diet and increase your protein intake. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or meat eater, the above-mentioned list of high-protein salad recipes offers a range of options that are not only delicious but also nutritious.
These salad recipes are perfect for people looking to increase their protein intake without adding many calories to their diet. From quinoa and chickpea salad to grilled chicken and spinach salad, plenty of options suit all tastes and dietary preferences.
So, the next time you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying meal packed with protein, try out some of the amazing high-protein salad recipes we have suggested. They are delicious and easy to prepare, making them a perfect option for a quick lunch or dinner. Let us know which one you loved the most and why.
Until then, enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients to create the perfect high-protein salad!
About the Author
Camellia Jones is an editor at Twigs Cafe. She rounds up all the delicious food from the web for specific diets. She likes to spend the rest of her time with her children.