25 Easy High-Protein Salads (Healthy Recipes)

No one’s going to bed hungry with these high-protein salads!

Eating healthy while keeping protein high often means grilled chicken. So boring. (Okay, but I actually love grilled chicken, too!) 

Best High-Protein Salads to Fuel Your Body

But packing your salads with high-protein ingredients creates a tasty main course that’s so filling. 

Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a meat-eater to pack your salad with protein. There are vegetarian options here, too. 

From Mexican taco salads to Asian-inspired and Mediterranean salads, they don’t skimp on flavor. 

(Check out the Jennifer Aniston salad!) 

So, bust out that big salad bowl! You’ll need it for these fantastic high-protein salads. 

1. Taco Salad

Taco salad at Mexican restaurants? Not so healthy. This recipe for taco salad? 

A healthy (and filling) slam dunk!

In this recipe, you get all the bold flavors of tacos without the guilt. 

It dresses lean turkey breast with bold Mexican seasonings like chili, cumin, and garlic powder. 

Pair it with tasty toppings like crunchy tortilla strips, veggies, and creamy avocado. 

One serving delivers 40 grams of protein. 

2. High-Protein Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is always the bridesmaid, but never the bride. 

But I feel I could make a whole meal out of pasta salad! Feel the same? Then, you will want to check out this recipe. 

This salad delivers all the feels of pasta salad sans traditional pasta. Instead of flour pasta, swap in chickpea pasta. 

Technically, chickpea pasta is not low carb nor low calorie. 

BUT. 

It is chock-full of fiber and protein. So, it will keep you satiated for a long time. Add lots of crispy veggies and a tangy garlic dressing to finish. 

One serving has 11 grams of protein. But you can always add more with the grilled meat of your choice. I like grilled chicken or steak! 

3. Quinoa Southwest Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing 

There’s so much to love about this tangy, spicy quinoa bowl. And it’s 100 percent vegetarian. 

Quinoa has a surprising amount of protein per serving. So, it will help keep you fuller longer. 

Pair it with hearty black beans, veggies, and avocado. And now, it is nutritious enough to belong in the Superfood Hall of Fame! 

The creamy chipotle sauce helps bind all those savory flavors together. This main course will become a family favorite. 

One serving of this tasty salad delivers 15 grams of protein. 

4. Healthy Cobb Salad 

Cobb salad is a classic. And for a good reason. 

This timeless salad incorporates filling and fresh ingredients. Think veggies, eggs, and lean chicken in a tasty dressing. 

Cobb salad is creamy, savory, salty, and so very satisfying. And you can whip it up in a flash with whatever you have in the fridge. 

Its impressive 25 grams of protein make it worthy as the main attraction at mealtime. 

5. Mexican Tuna Salad

Mexican tuna salad is the perfect dinner option when you are short on ingredients. 

You’re halfway there if you have a few cans of tuna and some leafy greens! (Woo for budget-friendly ingredients!)

It features tuna, greens, corn, and roasted red peppers. So yummy! In fact, the bright flavors in this salad don’t even need dressing. 

But to take the flavors over the top, it pairs these tasty ingredients with a garlicky and tart lime vinaigrette. 

One serving of this tasty salad has 33 grams of protein. That is almost as much as lean chicken breast. 

6. Shrimp Avocado Tomato Salad 

Tired of grilled chicken or tuna? Switch up your protein with this summery shrimp, avocado, and tomato salad. 

The shrimp delivers a delicate (almost) sweetness to this salad. It pairs well with creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, eggs, and leafy greens. 

Drizzle it with homemade garlicky lemon mustard dressing to take the flavors over the top. 

One serving of this tasty salad delivers about 15 grams of protein per serving. 

7. Lentil Salad With Tahini Dressing 

Looking for a dinnertime superfood? This lentil salad laps around the food pyramid and is 100 percent meat-free. 

It pairs protein-packed lentils with plenty of veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes. 

And adding crispy apples provides a nice sweetness to balance all the savory ingredients. 

This salad provides 18 whole grams of protein! It is also lower in calories and high in fiber. 

8. High-Protein Italian Sub Salad 

Italian subs are on the no-fly list when you are on a diet. But with this high-protein Italian sub salad recipe, they’re back on the menu!

This recipe has all the fixing of a delicious Italian sub. It has cheese, deli ham, salami, pepper, tomatoes, and black olives. 

But what about the bread, you ask? A sprinkle of garlicky croutons will scratch that hoagie bun itch without undoing your diet. 

One serving of this tasty, salty deli salad has 17 grams of protein. And the calories aren’t as high as you think (it has about 378 calories).

9. High-Protein Tomato & Basil Salad

Here’s another great way to check your daily protein box- sans the meat. 

This simple tomato and basil salad earns its high protein thanks to chickpeas. 

In a fresh flavor explosion, it includes crunchy pistachios, fresh mint, and creamy avocado. 

This salad is an absolute rollercoaster of deliciousness for your taste buds.

It’s the perfect salad for summer nights when you can’t bear to use the stove. 

One serving of this fantastic salad has about 11 grams of protein. 

10. Asian Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing 

Asian quinoa salad with peanut dressing is another high-protein option for Meatless Monday. 

And the bright Asian flavors in this dish won’t make you miss the meat. Not even one little bit! 

It pairs protein-packed quinoa with buttery cashews and fresh veggies with a sesame oil dressing. 

One serving delivers 7 grams of protein, which is a little low. But each serving only has 153 calories! So go ahead, have another bowl. 

11. High-Protein Hummus Chicken Salad 

Are you a fan of Panera’s chicken power salad? Then you’ll love this protein-packed copycat!

With creamy hummus, grilled chicken, and crispy veggies, it’s easy to love this salad. 

This tasty salad comes together quickly, making it a great lunch or light dinner. 

And the best part? One serving packs an impressive 28 grams of protein.

12. Jennifer Aniston Salad

Jennifer Aniston knows all about the power of protein. 

Her salad, which she may or may not have invented, has it all. 

It’s savory, earthy, tangy, and creamy, all in one protein-packed bowl.

Chickpeas deliver a savory bite that pairs well against fresh veggies, quinoa, and feta cheese. 

While it’s low in calories, it delivers 14 grams of protein per serving. 

13. Tuscan Bean Salad

This is one of those salads you’ll soon add to your weekly dinner rotation. 

Kidney beans and chickpeas pile on the protein while veggies add a nice crispy crunch.  

And the longer your salad marinates in the fridge, the better it gets. Serve this salad for dinner, and pack for lunch the next day!

It has 9 grams of protein per serving and just 134 calories!

14. Orzo Salad

This orzo salad recipe tastes almost too good to be true. 

The flavors deliver serious backyard BBQ vibes. Once you start, you can’t put it down!

It pairs tender orzo pasta (opt for whole grain) with chickpeas, feta, pesto, and veggies. 

Is your mouth watering yet?

One serving packs 7 grams of protein. But you can also pump up those numbers with grilled chicken!

15. Roasted Sweet Potato and Beetroot Salad

One look at this roasted sweet potato and beetroot salad will have you dreaming of fall!

This autumn-inspired salad packs enough protein to fuel a full day of fall activities. 

The sweetness from the potatoes is the perfect match for earthy beetroot. And a maple and soy sauce vinaigrette brings it all together. 

One serving of this tasty salad delivers an impressive 18 grams of protein. 

16. Ina Garten Chicken Salad

I would follow Ina Garten to the ends of the earth. And if she brought this chicken salad, it would be worth the long trek. 

What I love most about this chicken salad recipe is its simplicity. 

Lean chicken, tarragon, olive oil, mayo, celery, and grapes are all you need. 

It’s creamy, savory, a little sweet, and goes great over a bed of lettuce. 

Plus, one serving packs in 47 grams of protein!

17. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Yes, this Mediterranean chickpea salad tastes as good as it looks. 

What’s great about this chickpea salad is the contrast in textures and tastes. This salad is crunchy but creamy and full of fresh, punchy flavors. 

You can whip it together in a flash! Which is fantastic for busy weekdays. 

One serving delivers 12 grams of protein. 

18. Vegan Protein Kale Salad

Vegans, rejoice! This vegan protein kale salad is the MVP in the Salad Hall of Fame. 

And this isn’t your average garden salad. 

It pairs sweet additions like apples with savory veggies and hemp hearts. 

Mix these tasty ingredients with a creamy vegan tahini salad dressing. Now, say hello to your new favorite lunch! 

One serving of this simple salad provides a whopping 31 grams of protein. Sans meat or dairy!

19. Healthy Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Chicken salad often uses mayo, but this recipe uses Greek yogurt instead. And it is extra delicious! 

Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise cuts calories. And it also bumps up the protein significantly. (Like 10x the amount!)

The tartness of Greek yogurt is the perfect pairing for chicken, walnuts, apples, and grapes. Every bite is full of balance and flavor.  

One serving of this delicious salad provides 25.5 grams of protein. 

20. Healthy Egg Salad

Eggs are high in protein, but egg salad isn’t healthy. Normally. 

This healthy egg salad recipe packs all the protein and flavor without the extra calories.

Swapping mayo for Greek yogurt bumps the protein and cuts the calories. It is a fun, delectable, and unique twist on the classic dish. 

It’s light, a little tangy, and so deliciously creamy. 

One serving delivers 11 grams of protein. 

21. Balsamic Steak Salad

You’ll never look at other salads the same way ever again after this balsamic steak salad. 

Seared top sirloin is the perfect meaty backdrop for balsamic sauce and feta cheese. 

You don’t hear “mouthwatering” and “salad” in the same sentence very often. But that is absolutely the case here. 

Pile the steak high on a bed of nutritious leafy greens. I guarantee no one will go to bed hungry. 

The best part is that one serving packs about 44 grams of protein. 

22. Edamame and Quinoa Salad

Edamame is the perfect protein-packed snack but also a fantastic salad topping. 

This recipe pairs edamame, quinoa, buttery cashews, and veggies on a bed of leafy greens. 

And the cherry on top is that deliciously sweet brown sugar-infused peanut sauce. 

One serving is low in calories and delivers almost 15 grams of protein. Oh, and did I mention that this is vegan?

23. Marinated Tofu, Avocado, and Spinach Salad

Tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein! 

Tofu does not have much innate flavor. But marinating tofu will transform it into tasty little flavor bombs. 

Pair the tofu with creamy avocado and nutrient-rich spinach. Then top it with a killer toasted sesame and soy dressing. 

It’s light and nutritious. One serving provides about 16 grams of protein. 

24. Mediterranean White Bean and Sardine Salad

Sardines may be off-putting for some. But before you scroll to the following recipe, hear me out. 

Sardines have a delicate flavor with intense saltiness and are high in nutrients- including protein. 

Pair salty sardines with tender white beans and fresh veggies, making the perfect summer salad. It will whisk your tastebuds to Italy or the south of France. 

Plus, one serving of this simple dish provides 22 grams of protein. And, as a bonus, it is low-calorie, too! 

25. Arugula Salad with Pesto Shrimp, Parmesan and White Beans

One bite of this tasty salad tastes like a Mediterranean vacation. 

The pesto shrimp tastes fantastic. But adding parmesan and white beans takes it over the top! 

It is a bright, light, colorful, and incredibly filling meal. 

One serving offers an impressive 26 grams of protein.