50 Healthy Salads No Lettuce

Looking for healthy salads no lettuce that are actually exciting to eat? This collection of healthy salads without lettuce includes everything from high protein chicken salads and bean salads to fresh cucumber salads, pasta salads, and vegetable salads.

When most people think of salad, they picture a bowl of lettuce. But some of my favorite healthy salads are built around crunchy vegetables, protein-packed ingredients, beans, pasta, seafood, and simple homemade dressings. They tend to hold up better for meal prep and often feel more satisfying too.

This roundup includes a mix of my favorite Whole Lotta Yum recipes and recipes from other talented food bloggers. Whether you're looking for a high protein lunch, a low carb side dish, or a healthy salad for a BBQ or potluck, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.

Why I Love Lettuce-Free Salads

I've always enjoyed salads, but I don't always want another bowl of greens. Some of the recipes I make most often are cucumber salads, Mediterranean-inspired salads, broccoli salads, and protein-packed chicken salads because they're easy to prep ahead and stay fresh for days.

45 Healthy Salads No Lettuce

1

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

Our Thai chopped peanut chicken salad is loaded with healthy veggies, shredded chicken, and the best healthy peanut salad dressing you'll ever taste! A terrific meal prep lunch that's 344 calories per serving that comes together in just 20 minutes.

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2

Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe

A quick fruity spring and summer salad you'll eat on repeat that's a high protein low carb recipe that's easy to adjust ingredients as needed.

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3

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

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4

Mexican Chicken and Corn Salad

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5

Southwestern Chicken Salad Recipe

A creamy and healthy Southwest chicken salad recipe with a tangy cumin, chili, and lime dressing that comes together in just 30 minutes! This will keep for 4 days in the fridge and makes a great work lunch idea.

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6

Best Broccoli Salad

An easy raw broccoli salad recipe with bacon and sunflower seeds that's delicious, simple, and easy to adapt. We seriously mean it when we say this is the best broccoli salad recipe ever!

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7

Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

An easy and healthy chicken salad with cranberries and pecans that's delicious served over lettuce, as a wrap or as a sandwich. Use freshly shredded chicken or canned, either way, it's a Whole Lotta Yum!

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8

Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad with Bacon

Make an easy shaved Brussel sprouts salad with bacon and a homemade apple cider vinaigrette with a touch of Dijon. The perfect raw Brussel sprouts salad for the holidays! Low carb, keto, and gluten-free.

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9

Healthy Edamame Bean Salad

An easy and healthy bean salad recipe that's a modern take on the classic three bean salad. Made with edamame beans, fresh cilantro, and a simple lime dressing, this recipe is nutrition dense, gluten-free, vegan, dairy free, and high protein.

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10

Mango Slaw with Mango Lime Dressing

Our mango slaw is bright, refreshing, and can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. Perfect as a topping or on its own as a side dish. A lovely summertime slaw that brings a pop of tropical flavors to your table, it's a Whole Lotta Yum!

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11

Mexican Salad with Shrimp

Our easy Mexican shrimp salad recipe is inspired by a cooked shrimp ceviche, loaded with healthy vegetables, mango, and a sweetened lime dressing. It's so light, crisp, and refreshing!

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12

Egg and Avocado Salad

A healthy avocado and egg salad that makes a hearty and easy lunch filled with healthy fats. This is a keto avocado egg salad, plus it's gluten-free and dairy free too.

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13

Low Carb Caprese Recipe

Caprese salad is a quick and easy Italian salad that's essentially a tomato, basil, mozzarella salad with a light balsamic drizzle and seasoning. This is low carb and keto friendly with just 3 net carbs and 11 grams of protein per serving.

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14

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Raisins

An easy and delicious cold broccoli cauliflower salad that includes bacon, sunflower seeds, and a zesty mayo based dressing. This cauliflower broccoli salad is gluten-free, lower in carbs, and is perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks and BBQ's!

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15

Cucumber Greek Salad Recipe

A healthy Greek salad with tomato, cucumber, feta, and kalamata olives makes for a great dinner side dish with chicken, or served as a meal prep lunch.

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16

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

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17

Mexican Street Corn with Frozen Corn (Esquites Recipe)

An easy and tangy 15-minute Mexican street corn salad recipe with frozen corn that will quickly become your new favorite side dish recipe. Using frozen roasted corn and our creamy lime dressing, takes this next level. People will love you at your next potluck or BBQ!

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18

Shrimp Salad with Old Bay and Mayonnaise

A creamy cold shrimp salad with Old Bay served on lettuce leaves is delicious for lunch or as a light summer dinner.

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19

Italian Antipasto Salad (Keto, Low Carb, GF)

An Italian antipasto salad recipe that's a yummy salad variation of an antipasto platter at your favorite Italian restaurant. The recipe is gluten free, low carb, and keto friendly, and can be vegetarian or vegan with adaptions.

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20

Wilted Spinach Salad with Bacon

Wilted bacon salad with a hot bacon dressing makes the perfect spinach salad you'll love to eat year-round. This version is made even better by removing the sugar and making the recipe low carb, paleo, and keto friendly too.

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21

Simple Pea Salad Recipe (Old Fashioned Recipe)

This old fashioned pea salad recipe with bacon is creamy, easy, and made with frozen peas. A classic grandma-style side dish perfect for spring, potlucks, and family dinners.

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22

Old Fashioned Carrot and Raisin Salad with Mayonnaise

This old fashioned carrot raisin salad is creamy, sweet, and simple. Made with fresh carrots, raisins, apples, and mayonnaise, it's a classic grandma's side dish.

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23

Corn Couscous Salad With Chimichurri

This corn couscous salad is tossed with homemade chimichurri for a tangy, herby twist. Perfect for summer lunches, BBQs, or easy meal prep!

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24

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This is the Mediterranean quinoa salad I come back to time and again! It's my ideal spring and summer salad loaded with fresh vegetables and bright flavors. I'll meal prep this for a healthy lunch or dinner side dish, but it's also a hit for potlucks, picnics, or any spring and summer get-together.

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25

Easy Greek Salad (no lettuce!)

This Simple Greek Salad is tasty, quick to prepare, and bursting with fresh flavors. And it's made the authentic way - with no lettuce at all!

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26

Curried Tofu Salad (Vegan and Gluten Free)

This curried tofu salad bakes the tofu in a marinade to ensure maxium flavor. It's also healthified, using avocado and vegan mayo for a creamy texture.

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27

Grinder Dense Bean Salad

This Grinder Dense Bean Salad combines all the classic flavors of a Grinder sandwich, in a bean salad form. It's protein-packed, nutrient-dense, and the perfect thing to meal prep!

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28

No Lettuce Salad

This easy chopped salad is the perfect no-lettuce salad! This lettuce-free salad is light but satisfying and quick and refreshing!

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29

Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe

This Southwest Quinoa Salad has black beans, corn and a zesty lime vinaigrette. It's an easy and delicious side dish or meal prep lunch.

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30

Easy Potato Salad with Sweet Potatoes

A healthier version of the classic recipe that's just as delicious!

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31

Israeli Salad

Israeli salad is a chopped salad packed with vibrant vegetables, chickpeas, and fresh herbs in a lemony dressing. You will love this Israeli salad recipe!

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32

Mediterranean-Style Japanese Eggplant and Chickpea Salad

This Mediterranean eggplant chickpea salad features grilled or roasted Japanese eggplant, chickpeas, tomatoes, pine nuts, and basil in a simple vinaigrette. A hearty, fresh salad ready in 30 minutes.

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33

Green Salad Without Lettuce

Try this crisp green salad without lettuce featuring cucumber, avocado, green onions, edamame, pine nuts, and a lemony dressing.

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34

Red Rice Salad

This high-protein red rice salad is great for easy lunches. You can use Fench red rice from Camargue or Asian red rice for this recipe.

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35

Chinese Tofu Salad

Chinese tofu salad is a light and tasty summertime dish. Five-spiced tofu noodles and summer vegetables are all you need for an authentic Chinese tofu salad

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36

Cucumber Dill Salad

This cucumber dill salad has thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion and fresh dill in a tangy white vinegar dressing. It takes 10 minutes and goes well with grilled chicken, burgers or BBQ mains.

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37

Ramen Noodle Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad with chicken, veggies, and toasted almonds, in an easy vinaigrette is a healthy lunch option served cold or warm.

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38

Crispy rice salad

Crispy rice salad is a delicious way to use up leftover rice. It's full of flavour and texture and comes together quickly. Vegan, gluten-free.

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39

Superfood Black Bean & Quinoa Salad Recipe

This black bean quinoa salad recipe is sure to delight and energize you with delicious plant-based superfoods like quinoa, black beans, and bell peppers.

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40

Old Fashioned Kidney Bean Salad

Colorful, crunchy and fresh, this deliciously easy Old Fashioned Kidney Bean Salad makes a perfect cold side dish and takes just a few minutes to make.

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41

Harissa tofu salad

Harissa tofu salad is a simple yet delicious dish that comes together quickly and effortlessly. It's packed with flavour and texture, vegan and gluten-free.

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42

Skirt Steak Salad Recipe with Miso Dressing

This skirt steak salad recipe couldn't be easier! Make it in just 20 minutes using a beef skirt steak, sliced vegetables, and a DIY dressing

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43

Easy Italian Grinder Bean Salad

Italian Grinder Bean Salad is an easy high protein meal! It's made with classic grinder ingredients packed into a healthy bean salad!

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44

Crab Salad Recipe

My aunt's crab salad that you'll want to make all summer long. It's bright, limey, and super refreshing. It's similar to ceviche but made with imitation crab though canned lump crab works, too!

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45

Ravioli Salad

Four Cheese Ravioli Salad with pepperoni, provolone, artichoke hearts, olives, and Italian seasoning + dressing. This is such a crowd pleaser!

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46

Lemon Herb Zucchini Salad

Our raw zucchini salad recipe is one of my favorite summer salads. It's incredibly simple, fresh, flavorful, and an absolute keeper!

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47

Peach Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mint and Pistachios

This summer peach quinoa salad is the perfect thing for a late summer dinner and the leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day.

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48

EPIC Mediterranean Farro Bowls

Everything you love in one bowl that's easy to meal prep.

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49

Mango Millet Salad

This gently-spiced mango millet salad has an irresistible lemony freshness to it. It's a great side dish for barbecues or summer lunches.

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50

Greek Millet Salad with Vegan Feta

This Greek millet salad is made with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and tangy vegan feta tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. Use homemade tofu feta or your favorite store-bought vegan feta for an easy make-ahead lunch, light dinner, or Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

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FAQs

What can I use instead of lettuce in a salad?

Popular alternatives to lettuce include cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, chickpeas, beans, tomatoes, quinoa, pasta, and fresh vegetables. These ingredients often provide more texture and hold up better for meal prep.

Are salads without lettuce healthy?

Yes. Healthy salads without lettuce can be packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The healthiest versions include lean protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and a balanced dressing.

What are the best high protein salads without lettuce?

Chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, bean salads, cottage cheese salads, and Mediterranean salads are some of the best high protein options. Many provide enough protein to serve as a complete meal.

What salads are good for meal prep?

Cucumber salads, broccoli salads, bean salads, pasta salads, and chopped vegetable salads tend to store well for several days. They often stay crisp longer than traditional lettuce-based salads.

Are lettuce-free salads good for low carb diets?

Many are. Cucumber salads, broccoli salads, cauliflower salads, seafood salads, and chicken salads can all fit well into a low carb eating plan when made with lower-carb ingredients.