Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

I love a good salad, especially during the spring and summer months, but there's nothing worse than a meal that leaves you feeling unsatisfied. That's why I pulled together my favorite filling vegan salads with real staying power.

Each of these salads is an entree all on it's own -you'retaste budsand belly will both be happy campers after one of these. The key is to create an entree salad with balance. Along with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, these salads contain foods rich in fiber andplant-based protein. for satisfaction.

Some of my favorite hearty salad additions include beans and legumes, avocado, quinoa, sweet potato, and tofu/tempeh. You'll find plenty of inspiration for usingeach of themhere. Be prepared to fall in love with salads again!

Chickpea Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (1)

Lunchbox Chickpea Salad by Dixya at Food, Pleasure & Health

Quick + Easy Chickpea Saladby Taylor at Whole Green Wellness

Basil Balsamic Chickpea and Kale Saladby Alexis at Hummusapien

Curried Chickpea and Avocado Salad with Pomegranateby Sandra at Sandra Vungi Vegan

BBQ Chickpea Saladby Sam at It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

BBQ Chickpea Chopped Salad with Avocado Ranchby Kaitlin at The Garden Grazer

Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Saladby Amy at Fragrant Vanilla

Asian-Inspired Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (2)

Spicy Cucumber Salad with Pan-Fried Tofuby Gin at Eat Healthy Eat Happy

Peanut Thai Salad with Grilled Tofuby Sam at It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

Mediterranean-Inspired Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (3)

Lentil Fattoush Saladby Kristie at The Mostly Vegan

Deconstructed Falafel Saladby Sarah at Fried Dandelions

Greek Power Saladby Kristie at The Mostly Vegan

Italian Orzo Saladby Sophia at Veggies Don't Bite

Deconstructed Hummus Saladby Sue at The View From Great Island

Springtime Polenta Panzanellaby Dillon at Oh, Holy Basil

Southwest-Inspired Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (4)

Southwestern Bacon Avocado Saladby Angel at Cheftographer

Sweet Corn, Jalapeño and Black Beans Saladby Denisa at Blueberry &Basil

Spicy Black Bean Taco Saladsby Cadry at Cadry's Kitchen

Avocado, Black Bean & Corn Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressingby Melissaat Vegan Huggs

Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressingby Gin at Eat Healthy Eat Happy

Grain-Based Salads

Wheat Berry Salad with Butternut Squash & Warm Cider Vinaigretteby Caroline Kaufman, MS RDN

Three Bean Quinoa Saladby Serena at Domesticate Me

Quinoa Black Bean Saladby Lucie at Win Win Food

Lentil Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (5)

Lentil Salad with Spinach and Pomegranateby Sina at Vegan Heaven

Red Lentil Confetti Saladby Letty at Letty's Kitchen

Mushroom, Lemon and Lentil Saladby Jennifer at Delicious Everyday

Green Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (6)

Tempeh Green Goddess Salad with Avocado Mint Dressingby Haley at Brewing Happiness

Springtime Asparagus Salad with Lemon Hemp Dressingby The Grateful Grazer

Super Duper Raw Power Saladby E.A. at Spicy RD Nutrition

Vegan Comfort Food Salads

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (7)

Dueling Avocado + Sweet Potato Kale Saladby Kathy at Happy, Healthy Life

Seitan Steak Saladby Sarah at Fried Dandelions

Health-ified Mushroom Po Boy Saladby Haley at Brewing Happiness

Modern Macaroni Saladby Rebecca at Strength and Sunshine

Potato Cauliflower Chickpea Salad with Vegan Sour Cream & Onion Dressingby Richa at Vegan Richa

[Tweet "Fill up + stay satisfied with these 41 filling vegan salads!"]

Try These Recipes Next:

  • Hot Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Dressing with Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Creamy Vegan Mushroom Gravy with Rosemary and Thyme
  • 30-Minute Easy White Beans and Greens
  • Easy Vegetarian Vegetable Pot Pie with Chickpeas

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  1. Mary says

    This is fantastic! I have been looking for something like this for so long. One of these beauties will be on the menu, with leftovers for work tomorrow, if there is anything left. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Thanks so much Mary! I'm so glad you found this roundup helpful!! Let me know what you try! ????

      Reply

  2. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says

    LOL! I love the title of this. Thank you so much for including me!! Sharing now!

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      haha the struggle is real! Thank you, Sophia! 🙂

      Reply

  3. Letty / Letty's Kitchen says

    What a fabulous collection of recipes! Plenty of inspiration here. And Thank You for including my confetti lentil salad!

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Thank you, Letty! Your lentil salad looks delicious, thanks for sharing it! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says

    Thanks so much for including me!! Great collection!

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Thanks for sharing your yummy salad recipe, Sophia! It looks amazing.

      Reply

  5. Melissa says

    Such a delicious roundup of salads! I have so many I want to make! Thank you for including my recipe. 🙂

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Thanks, Melissa! I know what you mean, these are definitely all on my "to make" list. Thanks for sharing your delicious salad! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Angel says

    What a fantastic collection of yummy, filling salads! Thanks for including my Southwestern Bacon Avocado Salad! 🙂

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Thank you, Angel! Your Southwestern "Bacon" Salad looks scrumptious - can't wait to try! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Linda @ Veganosity says

    Fantastic roundup! Thanks so much for including our salad. Sharing everywhere. 🙂

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Love your salad recipe, thanks so much for sharing! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Dianne says

    Thank you so much for including my recipe!

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      Thanks for sharing - the stir fry salad looks amazing! 🙂

      Reply

Filling vegan salads that will actually fill you up. Healthy recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in salad instead of meat? ›

Here are some ideas:
  1. Legumes: Add beans like chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, or lentils to your salad. ...
  2. Nuts and seeds: Sprinkle some nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds on your salad. ...
  3. Tofu: Grilled or pan-fried tofu can be a great addition to any salad.
Apr 25, 2023

How do you bulk up a vegetarian salad? ›

Bulk it up: Make your salad go further with grains like quinoa, rice, cous-cous or pasta. Grains are naturally high in fibre, so they'll help you to feel full and satisfied, and maintain a healthy digestive system.

What can I put in a salad to make it more interesting? ›

Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.

How to make salads you want to eat? ›

How to Make a Salad You'll Actually Want to Eat
  1. 1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens.
  2. 2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts.
  3. 3: Add Beans or Other Proteins.
  4. 4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing.
  5. 5: Make it a Flavor Party.
Jan 18, 2024

What is healthy to put in a salad? ›

leafy greens such as romaine, arugula, kale and spinach. whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice and bulgur. chopped or shredded vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, cabbage, and beets.

What salad can be served as a full meal because it contains? ›

A main course salad should be large enough to serve as a whole meal. It should contain protein ingredients, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes, or cheese. It should also contain a variety of vegetables, greens, and/or fruits.

How to make vegetarian meals more filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

How do you get protein in salads without meat? ›

5 Ways to Add Vegetarian Protein to Lunch Salads
  1. Lentils and beansLegumes are the classic choice here. ...
  2. Tofu and Tempeh. ...
  3. Feta (or Other Crumbly) CheeseFeta adds tang, creaminess, and contrast to crunchy vegetables or chewy grains. ...
  4. Nuts and SeedsDon't overlook the little guys.
May 6, 2014

Why doesn't salad fill me up? ›

This is because salads mostly contain vegetables, which have a high water content. This may mean you don't feel very satisfied after eating your salad – making it hard to stay full until your next meal.

What are 5 components of a satisfying salad? ›

There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.

How do you pimp up salad? ›

One of the easiest ways to get some flavour in your salad is to mix up your leaves with bright herbs that pack a punch. Plants like parsley, dill, mint and coriander can really kick your salads up a notch and give them some (much needed) depth and can give a great dose of flavour in every bite.

What salad stimulates appetite? ›

An appetizer salad should stimulate the appetite and have fresh, crisp ingredients such as cheese, ham, salami, shrimp, crabmeat, or vegetables lightly coated with a tangy, flavorful dressing (that will 'wake up the mouth'). Appetizer salads should be substantial, but not filling.

How do you bulk out salads? ›

Gains with grains

You can also use these whole grains for your salad to help you stay fuller for longer. Quinoa, couscous, bulgur wheat, brown rice, farro, and barley are some other grains which are readily available, while being easy to prepare.

How do you eat healthy if you hate salad? ›

Try veggies with hummus, salad dressing or yogurt-based dips. Add diced veggies such as mushrooms, onions, peppers or carrots to meatloaf or meatballs. Add vegetables as a topping on your pizza. Make a quick lettuce-free salad by adding salad dressing to matchstick carrots or sliced cucumbers.

What should I replace meat with? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

What are 3 good meat alternatives? ›

Meat Substitutes
  • Tofu. 1/10. Tofu is a plant-based choice that packs a protein punch -- half a cup has over 11 grams. ...
  • Tempeh. 2/10. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh has even more protein than tofu. ...
  • Seitan. 3/10. ...
  • Jackfruit. 4/10. ...
  • Mushrooms. 5/10. ...
  • Beans. 6/10. ...
  • Textured Vegetable Protein. 7/10. ...
  • Chickpeas. 8/10.
Sep 28, 2023

Can you eat salad without meat? ›

No problem! “There are so many great plant-based sources of protein, and if a salad is your main meal, you should certainly be adding some source of protein, says Cohen. Give your vegetarian salad staying power with hard-boiled eggs, two-percent cottage cheese, beans and lentils, tofu, tempeh, or even a veggie burger.

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