40 High-Protein Salads That’ll Keep You Fueled All Day

These fun, high protein salad recipes will keep you satisfied even on your hungriest of days.

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Asian Slaw

Here’s an Asian slaw recipe without all the greasy mayonnaise. It’s well-liked by the people who’ve tried it. A bit of sugar mellows the tangy Asian coleslaw dressing. —Alta Goodman, Canton, South Dakota
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Lemony Chicken Salad

24 grams of protein per serving

Every busy cook will appreciate the convenience of being able to prepare this refreshing, high-protein salad ahead of time. And your family will enjoy a marvelous meal. Looking for more? Here are a few high-protein lunch ideas that will leave you feeling satisfied until dinner time.

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Tasty Taco Chopped Salad

24 grams of protein per serving

My friends and I love Mexican food, but we try to eat healthy. My mom taught me how to make this tasty high-protein salad for my friends. —Matthew Smith, Knippa, Texas

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Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken

37 grams of protein per serving

This high-protein salad is hard to beat when it comes to color, flavor and nutrition! It makes for a wonderful side on a summer day. Diane Sahley — Lakewood, Ohio

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Nicoise Salad

26 grams of protein per serving

This garden-fresh salad is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Add some crusty bread and you have a mouthwatering meal. Follow this 7-Day high-protein meal plan to lose weight and build muscles.

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Zesty Steak Salad

26 grams of protein per serving

Stir-fried steak and veggies give this high-protein salad a cozy kick. Add any of your favorite salad ingredients like shredded cheese, croutons, mushrooms or cucumber. —Leah Carrell, Quitman, Texas

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Barbecue Pork Cobb Salad

35 grams of protein per serving

My lunchtime salad gets way more interesting topped with barbecue pork, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado. It’s as satisfying as it is scrumptious. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

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Herbed Tuna Salad

25 grams of protein per serving

Cooking for two is a challenge for us, since my husband and I do not care for leftovers. This high-protein salad with distinctive dill flavor is my favorite lunch recipe. —Rebecca Schweizer, Chesapeake, Virginia

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Copycat Southwest Chicken Salad

45 grams of protein per serving

My husband and I ordered and devoured this high-protein salad from Applebee’s three separate times before we finally asked the waitress for the dressing ingredients. She kindly shared the recipe with us, and now I whip up this hearty main-dish salad with its tangy sauce often. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

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Feta Salmon Salad

38 grams of protein per serving

My son David always ordered the satisfying salmon sandwich at a local pub. In trying to replicate it, he came up with this salmon salad recipe. It’s the only recipe he’s ever made, and our entire family thinks it’s wonderful. —Susan Griffiths, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Salad

28 grams of protein per serving

My husband and sons love Buffalo chicken with blue cheese, so I created this high-protein salad. You can even make the chicken the day before and reheat when ready to serve. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

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Grilled Chicken Salad

38 grams of protein per serving

A few years back, I was looking for a simple yet delicious high-protein salad for a picnic for my boyfriend and myself. Now that guy is my husband, and we still enjoy going on picnics and dining on this grilled chicken salad. It’s perfect as a meal or side. —Juli Stewart, Coppell, Texas

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Shrimp Cobb Salad

36 grams of protein per serving

This shrimp cobb salad is quite healthy. I often use a grill pan, but you can simply saute, too. Feel free to use any greens you like. — Nicholas Monfre, Hudson, Florida

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Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

31 grams of protein per serving

When I want to serve a romantic dinner for my husband and me, I fix this elegant yet easy high-protein salad. I just add crusty French bread and a glass of wine. —Candace McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

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Spicy Pork Tenderloin Salad

24 grams of protein per serving

A friend served this curry-flavored, high-protein salad at a luncheon, and I tweaked it to fit our tastes. Since it’s a meal in one, it’s perfect for weeknights, and the presentation makes it ideal for entertaining. —Pat Sellon of Monticello, Wisconsin

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Taco Pasta Salad

33 grams of protein per serving

My family loves this savory taco pasta salad. Serve taco or corn chips on the side, and you have a complete meal. —Gert Rosenau, Pewaukee, WI

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Grilled Steak Bruschetta Salad for 2

28 grams of protein per serving

Fire up the grill for this high-protein salad. The meat will be done in a snap, leaving you more time to enjoy the summer evening. —Devon Delaney, Princeton, New Jersey

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Berry Chicken Salad

28 grams of protein per serving

Bright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

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Cheeseburger Bowl

29 grams of protein per serving

This recipe is a unique and lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can also make the dressing with ranch dressing, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut

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Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad

30 grams of protein per serving

This high-protein salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Grilled Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

32 grams of protein per serving

This cool noodle salad makes a great casual one-bowl dinner or a perfect dish for a potluck or buffet. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida

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Raspberry-Walnut Pork Salad

34 grams of protein per serving

Raspberry, rosemary, Gorgonzola and walnuts combine to make a pork dish that’s bursting with flavor. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

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Ginger-Cashew Chicken Salad

23 grams of protein per serving

I revamped an Asian-style chicken salad recipe to create this gingery, high-protein salad. Now it’s a huge success when I serve it at ladies luncheons. —Shelly Gramer, Long Beach, California

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Quick Nicoise Salad

21 grams of protein per serving

Like the classic French salad Nicoise, I pack my salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps build it fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

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Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo Salad

25 grams of protein per serving

The heat, seasonings and appearance of this colorful high-protein salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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Almond Chicken Salad

25 grams of protein per serving

My mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It’s my favorite of my mother’s chicken salad recipes. You can also serve it as a delicious but quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

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Raspberry Pecan Chicken Salad

29 grams of protein per serving

I gave this sweet-savory chicken salad a little zip with Chinese five-spice powder, which tastes a bit like pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle some on roasted carrots for an awesome meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

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Blackened Pork Caesar Salad

36 grams of protein per serving

When I cook, the goal is to have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. This Caesar with pork has fantastic flavor even when the meat is chilled. —Penny Hedges, Dewdney, British Columbia

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Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

24 grams of protein per serving

We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. It goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

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Easy Ground Beef Taco Salad

25 grams of protein per serving

Every time I have to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son’s football team ask for it. —Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

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Swiss Cobb Salad

28 grams of protein per serving

Topped with ham, roast beef, bacon and other fixings, this high-protein salad has an excellent blend of flavors. A from-scratch vinaigrette adds the refreshing final touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Turkey Ramen Noodle Salad

21 grams of protein per serving

My husband and I make this high-protein salad together—he does the chopping. When we bring it to potlucks, we pack the ramen and almonds separately and toss them in right before it’s time to dish up. They stay nice and crunchy that way. —Kristen Pallant, Big Arm, Montana

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Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad

22 grams of protein per serving

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

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Grilled Southwestern Steak Salad

30 grams of protein per serving
Pasta salad loaded with steak, peppers and onions makes both my boyfriend and me happy. Plus, it’s versatile! We serve it hot, room temperature or cold. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee
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Curried Chicken & Peach Salad

24 grams of protein per serving

This is a very healthy and high-protein salad to make; even my non-cooking husband can whip it together in minutes. We’ve served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida

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Steak & New Potato Toss

31 grams of protein per serving

I usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous high-protein salad. It’s pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia

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Sesame Chicken Slaw Salad

25 grams of protein per serving

I tasted many types of Asian chicken salad in California. When I moved back to Georgia, I wanted more. Here’s a gingery-sweet recipe using wonton strips. —Michelle Mulrain, Evans, Georgia. If you enjoyed this recipe, then you must try Chinese chicken salad.

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50 Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

There’s no better way to enjoy Thanksgiving extras than with these delicious leftover turkey recipes. With these easy recipes, you’ll never wonder what to do with leftover turkey again.
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Grilled Pork Noodle Salad

27 grams of protein per serving

The only complex thing about this high-protein salad is the flavor! With smoky barbecued pork and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables, this is a comforting and tasty home-cooked meal. —Rosalyn Nguyen, Astoria, New York

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Orange Chicken Spinach Salad

34 grams of protein per serving

For a high-protein salad with refreshing color and crunch, we toss chicken and spinach with mandarin oranges and red onion, then splash everything with a tangy vinaigrette. —Jean Murawski, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

Kristin Sutter
A big fan of homegrown cooking, Kristin has been a writer and editor for nearly 20 years. She has mastered the art of learning from her inexpert riffs on other people's truly good recipes.