32 Fabulous Dinner Salad Recipes
From crispy chicken to bacon-fried croutons, Southerners know how to fix a standout salad.
When it's hot as blazes outside, the last thing you want for dinner is something HEAVY. That's when the idea of having salad for dinner shifts from being sad to being your saving grace. All too often we think of salads as light and healthy foods, but just because lettuce is involved doesn't mean dinner can't be delicious! Trust us—these fabulous recipes will have you actually craving salad for dinner.
Crispy- Shrimp Salad with Avocado Dressing
Fried shrimp are a Southern favorite—here they transform salad into a must-have main course. The creamy avocado dressing doesn't hurt, either.
Greek Salad With Baked Feta
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Juicy cherry tomatoes, red onion, crisp green bell pepper, cucumbers, and olives create a refreshing base for this easy Greek salad. The veggies are mixed with a vinegar-based dressing and topped with baked feta cheese, for a delicious and hearty result. Plus, the dressing can be made up to a week ahead for easy assembly.
Chopped Salad
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you're looking for a salad to serve as a main dish, check out this chopped salad. The added ham and bacon with ensure your crew leaves the table full and satisfied. Plus, this salad is super customizable. If you're not a big fan of something on the ingredient list, just swap it out!
Crispy Chicken- and- Broccoli Salad
Store-bought fried chicken tenders make eating your vegetables way more appetizing.
Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
This fresh and fast shrimp salad gets a filling boost from easy-to-cook orzo.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Tangy buffalo-style hot sauce makes the chicken on this dinner salad hot and peppery. But all the veggies—carrots, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, and more—work to tame it. The semi-homemade spicy ranch dressing brings it all together.
Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad with Ranch Dressing
Charring this salad's okra and corn in your cast-iron skillet gives them a nice, smoky crunch.
Chicken Tortellini Salad
Store-bought tortellini are a genius addition to dinner salads—they're like little cheese-filled croutons.
Southern Cobb Salad with Cornbread Croutons
Cobb salad is a flavor party thanks to all its lovely components. This Southern twist shakes things up with cornbread croutons, black-eyed peas, and plenty of crispy bacon.
BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing and Buttery Croutons
ALISON MIKSCH
This knockout tastes just like a BLT, but in salad form. The creamy Parmesan-laden dressing sends it over the top.
Field Pea and Pasta Salad
Not all salads are lettuce based. This filling pasta salad gets a Southern twist from tender field peas.
Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli
This gourmet take on the classic Southern potluck side is good enough for supper, thanks to filling white beans.
Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
The rich dressing in this salad coats the kale, helping the crispy breadcrumbs to stick to each bite.
Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Thin slices of nectarines add a sweet crunch to this chicken pasta salad.
Field Pea Fattoush Salad
If you love croutons, you'll love Fattoush, a Middle Eastern dish made with toasted pita bread.
Grilled Baby Zucchini- And- Tomato Salad
GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH; FOOD STYLING: ANNA HAMPTON
Speaking of bread salads, this grilled zucchini number screams summer with the added punch of sweet cherry tomatoes.
Arugula Salad with Bacony Croutons and Sherry Vinaigrette Recipe
Pay attention: This salad's croutons are fried in bacon fat. Yes, BACON FAT. Trust us, they're good!
Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele
Drizzled with our special "Summer Sauce" this fresh and filling recipe will be your new go-to summer salad.
Farmers' Market Pasta Salad
Breeze through the farmers' market this weekend and pick up everything you need for this knockout dinner salad.
Tortelloni- And- Grilled Vegetable Salad
This pasta-loaded salad proves that you don't need meat at every meal.
Tangy Tzatziki Pasta Salad
All of you favorite Greek salad ingredients—including cucumbers, feta, artichokes, and olives—dial up the flavor in this delicious dinner salad.
Chicken Tortellini Salad
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
Peppery arugula teams up with cheesy tortellini and rotisserie chicken to make this salad a winner.
Cast Iron Salmon with Baby Kale Salad
Rich and flavorful, skillet-seared salmon turns this tasty kale salad into a company-worthy dinner.
Shrimp Cobb Salad With Bacon Dressing
This bacony dressing will turn into any salad into a main event.
Chicken- And- Quinoa Salad With Pepper Jelly Dressing
If you're not familiar with quinoa, give it a try—it's easier to cook than rice and has a lovely texture (in addition to healthy fiber and protein).
Southern- Style Grilled Cobb Salad
Can you tell we're really into cobb salads? This is one of our favorites, thanks to the grilled chicken, veggies, corn, and okra. The fresh tomatoes don't hurt, either!
Herbed Chicken- And- Rice Salad
Fluffy cooked rice makes such a lovely addition to salads, making them more filling, and extra delicious.
Grilled Corn- And- Salmon Salad With Tomatoes
Grilled salmon is always a winner—here it sings with beautiful summer tomatoes and fresh spinach.
7- Layer Salad
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Can you guess the secret Southern ingredient hiding in the middle of this crowd-pleasing salad?
Spring Mix Salad With Herbed Goat Cheese
Here's another great way to upgrade a meatless salad: go big on the cheese!
Spring Salad With Berries and Bacon
Strawberries and bacon may seem like an odd couple, but trust us‚ opposites attract!
Warm Mustard Potato Salad
You know that feeling when a side dish is so good, you could make a meal out of it? This bacon and egg-loaded potato salad delivers.
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