10 Hearty And Delicious Salad Recipes To Make For Dinner

People tend to think of salads as a tool for improving health or losing weight, but that doesn't mean a salad can't be a satisfying and filling meal. Salads have a bad reputation for tasting bland and boring— lettuce, tomatoes, dressing. Simple salads are fine for a mid-afternoon snack, but they are by no means filling. Spice up boring salads with fruit, protein, seasonal vegetables, and tasty dressings. There are a slew of salad recipes to choose from that are both delicious and so filling that you won't need anything else. 

Make the most of autumn's seasonal fruits with this delicious chicken salad with apples and cranberries. The salad can be served on crusty bread or rolls to create a sandwich, or alone on a plate garnished with additional apple slices. — Kerri Barrett

For the Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries recipe, click here.

Thinly sliced steak placed on top of crisp greens makes for a refreshing and citrusy salad. — Taste of Home

For the Citrus Steak Salad recipe, click here.

This salad recipe bursts with the sunshine of a Greek island. With the addition of raw spinach, feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, this is a perfect healthy salad served as a light dinner — it goes great with grilled and roasted meats, chicken, and fish. The best news is that the flavors only improve when prepared the day before, so this is the perfect make-ahead dinner recipe. — Hope Cohen

For the Greek-Style Orzo Salad recipe, click here.

This salad recipe is fast, fresh, full of crunch, and flavor without being full of calories. With a few simple ingredients and endless room to spruce it up, it's a perfect weeknight, last-minute, or anytime meal. — Tyler Sullivan

For the Herb and Coleslaw Salad recipe, click here.

The sausage adds wonderful flavor and heartiness to this main-dish pasta salad. — Taste of Home

For the Kielbasa Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

This warm salad of potatoes, green beans, and endive, served topped with fried bacon, onions, and egg, is a Belgian specialty. Hearty and comforting, it's a complete meal in a bowl. — Alain Coumont

For the Liégeoise Salad recipe, click here.

This Mexican cuisine-inspired corn salad is great for a light weekday dinner. — Donatella Arpaia

For the Mexican Chicken and Corn Salad recipe, click here.

This salade niçoise recipe consists of grilled fresh tuna, green beans and steamed potatoes, multicolored heirloom cherry tomatoes, a few nicely dressed greens, and a soft touch of anchovy. This composed salad is perfect to serve when entertaining guests for dinner. Serve family-style along with a loaf of fresh crusty bread and sweet butter. — Patricia Wells

For the Salade Niçoise recipe, click here.  

Steak can often feel like a heavy meal, so this recipe balances it out with a light, textured salad. It's perfect for a quick dinner or for impressing guests. The key to this recipe is the proper ingredients: You need fresh lettuce and crunchy jicama to ensure the salad stands out as much as the steak. — Ali Rosen

For the Steak Salad recipe, click here.

This simple salad calls for fresh avocados, making the dish an excellent source of potassium and fiber. It's another marvelous meal to enjoy any day of the week. — Meatless Monday

For the White Corn and Tomato Salad recipe, click here.