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    Home » Trending

    29 hearty salads that eat like a main

    Published: Nov 1, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Not all salads are light and forgettable. These 29 hearty salads are big, bold, and built to fill up any plate. Each one brings enough flavor and crunch to stand on its own. Perfect for days when something fresh still needs to feel like a full meal!

    Mango Salad

    Mango Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Bright ingredients can still feel hearty when done right. Mango Salad combines juicy fruit and crisp vegetables for a dish that’s both light and grounding. The mix of textures keeps it interesting from start to finish.
    Get the Recipe: Mango Salad

    Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

    Greek Orzo Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    A little pasta, a few fresh vegetables, and plenty of heart make Greek Orzo Pasta Salad feel complete. The combination of flavors brings a light but grounded touch that’s easy to enjoy. Meals like this prove comfort can be simple and fresh at the same time.
    Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

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    Baba Ganoush

    Baba Ganoush. Photo credit: At the Immigrants Table.

    Roasted eggplant creates a smooth, earthy base that feels rich without being heavy. Baba Ganoush captures that old-fashioned comfort of food made slowly and shared generously. It’s a dish that feels like it belongs at every table.
    Get the Recipe: Baba Ganoush

    Easy And Delicious Chickpea Chopped Salad

    Easy And Delicious Chickpea Chopped Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Freshness and substance come together naturally here. Easy and Delicious Chickpea Chopped Salad mixes crisp vegetables with hearty chickpeas for a bite that keeps you going. A dependable choice when you want real food that feels wholesome and complete.
    Get the Recipe: Easy And Delicious Chickpea Chopped Salad

    Fattoush Salad

    Fattoush Salad. Photo credit: The Honour System.

    Crunchy bread and crisp vegetables bring a sense of nostalgia that’s hard to forget. Fattoush Salad mixes everyday ingredients with a bright dressing that feels timeless. Every forkful feels like something you’d find on a family table passed from one generation to the next.
    Get the Recipe: Fattoush Salad

    Smoked Salmon Salad Recipe With Bagel Chips And Cream Cheese Dressing

    Smoked Salmon Salad Recipe With Bagel Chips And Cream Cheese Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrants Table.

    Some meals borrow from breakfast and make them even better. The layers in Smoked Salmon Salad with Bagel Chips and Cream Cheese Dressing hit all the right notes—creamy, crunchy, and rich. A full, balanced plate that feels both classic and new.
    Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Salad Recipe With Bagel Chips And Cream Cheese Dressing

    Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

    Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Meals that balance freshness with a little edge always stand out. Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad does exactly that, mixing crisp cucumbers with a kick of flavor that keeps things lively. A smart option for when you want something light but strong in character.
    Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

    Pearl Couscous Salad

    Pearl Couscous Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrants Table.

    There’s something satisfying about a salad that eats more like dinner than a side. Pearl Couscous Salad has that chewy texture and soft flavor that blends easily with fresh ingredients. A perfect middle ground between comfort and lightness.
    Get the Recipe: Pearl Couscous Salad

    Burrata Salad With Balsamic Glaze

    burrata salad with balsamic glaze including spring mix, basil leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
    Burrata Salad With Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Some salads feel like they belong at the center of the table. Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze takes creamy cheese and pairs it with ripe tomatoes and a deep glaze for a bold finish. Every ingredient works together to make it feel whole.
    Get the Recipe: Burrata Salad With Balsamic Glaze

    Scrumptious Southwest Salad

    Scrumptious Southwest Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Bold flavors meet hearty ingredients in a way that just works. Scrumptious Southwest Salad combines beans, corn, and crisp greens for a colorful, full-bodied bowl. Every ingredient adds to a meal that feels generous and complete.
    Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Southwest Salad

    Creamy Broccoli Salad

    Creamy Broccoli Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Some recipes stay around because they always feel right. Creamy Broccoli Salad combines crunch, creaminess, and a hint of sweetness that’s hard to beat. It carries that same home-cooked warmth people remember from childhood meals.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Salad

    Copycat Aroma Espresso Bar Fried Halloumi Salad

    Copycat Aroma Espresso Bar Fried Halloumi Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrants Table.

    Some dishes remind you how warm and grounding comfort food can be, even in salad form. Copycat Aroma Espresso Bar Fried Halloumi Salad brings together hearty greens and golden cheese with a balance that feels homemade. The textures alone make it a meal worth sitting down for.
    Get the Recipe: Copycat Aroma Espresso Bar Fried Halloumi Salad

    Beet Salad with Feta

    Beet Salad with Feta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Simplicity can be more filling than expected when it’s built on good ingredients. Beet Salad with Feta pairs sweet, earthy beets with soft cheese for a natural balance. The mix feels grounded and rich without needing anything extra.
    Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta

    Three Bean Salad

    Three Bean Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Hearty beans and tangy dressing come together in a timeless way. Three Bean Salad brings depth and texture that fit right into the world of old-fashioned comfort foods. It’s a simple mix that never goes out of style.
    Get the Recipe: Three Bean Salad

    Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

    Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves.
    Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrants Table.

    There’s comfort in old recipes that never seem to fade with time. Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) blends creamy potatoes and vegetables in a way that always feels familiar. Every forkful has that homestyle fullness that turns a simple salad into a meal.
    Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

    Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad

    Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Some flavors seem made for each other, balancing richness and freshness without effort. Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad blends creamy avocado and citrus into a dish that feels honest and full of life. It’s the kind of comfort that comes from clean, simple food done right.
    Get the Recipe: Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad

    Red Skin Potato Salad

    Red potato salad in bowl with bacon and parsley garnish.
    Red Skin Potato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    There’s something about the simplicity of potatoes that always feels right at home. Red Skin Potato Salad keeps that spirit alive with tender bites and a creamy blend that never feels overdone. A true comfort classic that always earns a second helping.
    Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

    Classic Creamy Pea Salad

    Classic Creamy Pea Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Familiar, cool, and quietly rich, Classic Creamy Pea Salad brings a balance that’s both simple and satisfying. The mix of tender peas and creamy dressing feels like a staple from decades past. It’s the kind of salad that never needs updating.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Creamy Pea Salad

    Sweet And Smoky Charred Corn Salad

    Sweet And Smoky Charred Corn Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Some dishes have a way of bringing people together without trying. The mix of bold, grilled flavor and sweetness in Sweet and Smoky Charred Corn Salad makes it feel like more than a side. Each bite has balance, texture, and enough heart to stand on its own.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet And Smoky Charred Corn Salad

    Spring Onion Potato Salad

    A bowl of spring onion potato salad.
    Spring Onion Potato Salad. Photo credit: The Honour System.

    Comfort often comes in simple, familiar forms. Spring Onion Potato Salad brings together creamy potatoes and the mild sharpness of onion for a well-rounded bite. The kind of food that feels easy to enjoy any day of the week.
    Get the Recipe: Spring Onion Potato Salad

    Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Warm flavors wrapped in pasta make Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad a true comfort dish. The blend of cheese-filled tortellini and a creamy mix gives it heart and substance. Every bite feels like something made to be shared around a family table.
    Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

    beet cucumber salad is shown on a pink plate with a wood cutting board and dill.
    Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    The right mix of cool and earthy flavors can turn a simple salad into a full meal. Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill brings that balance with creamy cheese and crisp vegetables. Each bite feels refreshing but still substantial.
    Get the Recipe: Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

    Quinoa Cranberry Salad

    Quinoa Cranberry Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Good balance makes food memorable. Quinoa Cranberry Salad pairs the nutty flavor of quinoa with the gentle sweetness of cranberries for a meal that feels steady and grounded. Great for those times when you want something fresh but filling.
    Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cranberry Salad

    Santa Fe Salad

    Santa Fe Salad with creamy dressing.
    Santa Fe Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    There’s always a place at the table for something fresh with substance. Santa Fe Salad blends greens, beans, and grilled toppings into a combination that hits all the right textures. Each forkful feels vibrant and full enough to stand on its own.
    Get the Recipe: Santa Fe Salad

    Broccoli Raisin Salad

    Broccoli Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Sweet and crunchy, Broccoli Raisin Salad balances texture and flavor in the most familiar way. The mix of crisp broccoli and chewy raisins brings back memories of potlucks and backyard meals. It’s a classic that feels personal no matter who makes it.
    Get the Recipe: Broccoli Raisin Salad

    Tabbouleh Salad

    Tabbouleh Salad. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

    Fresh herbs and grains come together in a way that feels both humble and familiar. Tabbouleh Salad carries that homemade comfort of something bright yet filling, with simple ingredients that work in harmony. Each bite feels like a nod to old-style cooking done with care.
    Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad

    Spinach And Arugula Salad

    Spinach And Arugula Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Greens with personality don’t need much help to shine. Spinach and Arugula Salad delivers a peppery kick and natural freshness that feels complete on its own. A clean, strong option for anyone who likes their meals straightforward but full of life.
    Get the Recipe: Spinach And Arugula Salad

    Broccoli Slaw Salad

    A plate of broccoli slaw with a dressing on it.
    Broccoli Slaw Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Familiar flavors often bring the most comfort. Broccoli Slaw Salad keeps things simple with crisp vegetables and a creamy coating that feels easy to love. It’s a nod to the kind of side dish that quietly becomes the favorite at gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Broccoli Slaw Salad

    BBQ Rib Potato Salad

    BBQ Rib Potato Salad on a light blue plate with a salad and ribs.
    BBQ Rib Potato Salad. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

    Bold flavors and creamy potatoes find common ground in BBQ Rib Potato Salad. The mix of smoky meat and hearty texture feels like something built for family meals. Every serving has that unmistakable taste of old-style comfort.
    Get the Recipe: BBQ Rib Potato Salad

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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