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Tired of the usual lettuce salads? There are lots of great recipes for salads without lettuce. Whether you’re craving a hearty main dish or a tasty side, there’s something for everyone. These salads are packed with chicken, tuna, beans, and tons of fresh veggies. Plus, with no wilted lettuce, you can make them ahead of time. The Italian panzanella salad is always a crowd pleaser.

Italian Panzanella Salad

Italian panzanella salad in a large bowl.
Italian Panzanella Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Panzanella salad is a refreshing summer side dish that combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and chunks of crusty bread, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Panzanella Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw

Overhead view of a shaved brussel sprout salad on plates.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

If you’re searching for an alternative to coleslaw, consider trying this Brussels sprout slaw. Made with a combination of shaved Brussels sprouts and cabbage and dressed with a tangy lemon apple cider vinaigrette, this is one of those salad recipes that is the perfect side dish for BBQs and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Italian rice salad in a large bowl.
Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Heirloom Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

Overhead view of a heirloom tomato and burrata salad.
Heirloom Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This authentic Italian burrata caprese salad is a delicious side dish or appetizer that features heirloom tomatoes and creamy burrata cheese with balsamic vinegar and truffle salt for added flavor. With every bite, you’ll savor the delicious flavors of this simple yet impressive dish.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad

Overhead view of salads on plates.
Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This Asian chicken salad with honey ginger dressing is a delicious and easy meal salad that can be enjoyed year-round. Loaded with chicken, cabbage, avocado, carrots, edamame beans, almonds, green onions, and cilantro, it’s a must-try recipe that can be customized with sesame sticks or other toppings.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad

Asian Zoodle Salad

A large bowl with a zucchini noodle salad.
Asian Zoodle Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Asian zoodles salad is a wonderful blend of zoodle, or spiralized zucchini noodles along with other vegetables and an Asian-inspired dressing. Have it for lunch or pair it with your preferred protein as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Asian Zoodle

Green Goddess Salad

Green goddess salad in a bowl.
Green Goddess Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

There’s a reason this green goddess salad has gone viral on Tik Tok, and that’s because it’s delicious. You will love every element from the colorful, crunchy salad mixture to the garlic, cashew, spinach, and parmesan dressing.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Salad

Cranberry Jello Salad With Mandarins and Pineapple

Cranberry jello salad casserole on two plates with a fork.
Cranberry Jello Salad With Mandarins and Pineapple. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

If you’re planning your Thanksgiving dinner spread, don’t forget the homemade cranberry jello salad with pineapple and oranges! This recipe is made with jello, giving it a different consistency, and the fruity taste goes perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jello Salad With Mandarins and Pineapple

Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad

Overhead view of a watermelon feta cucumber salad on a large platter.
Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This refreshing watermelon feta cucumber salad is a colorful and easy-to-make side dish that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors inspired by Greek cuisine. With only four ingredients for the salad and 3 for the dressing, this easy salad recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for a last-minute addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Feta Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

A bowl full of quinoa salad.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cooked quinoa is a great base for a tasty salad. It’s filling, tasty and pairs wonderfully with the fresh ingredients used. It’s a versatile recipe and you can enjoy the Mediterranean quinoa salad as a side dish or as a main course.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian cucumber salad with dressing and nuts on top
Asian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Spaceships and Laser Beams.

Our simple Asian cucumber salad is a light and refreshing side dish made from fresh cucumbers, crunchy peanuts, and a sweet and spicy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad

Pea Salad

A bowl of pea salad with cheese chunks, bacon and creamy dressing.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Julie’s Eats and Treats.

If you want to offer a simple salad with Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with this pea salad. It has a creamy dressing that pairs perfectly with tender peas, and salty bacon.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Marinated Tomato Basil Salad

Marinated Tomato Basil Salad.
Marinated Tomato Basil Salad. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This Marinated Tomato Salad is full of fresh flavor and can be used in many ways as a side dish or a topping for chicken, beef, or fish. You’ll be enjoying this simple tomato salad all summer long.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomato Basil Salad

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Greek chickpea salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a cinch to make and it’s packed with flavor. Using lots of herbs really fills it with seasonal goodness.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Cannellini Bean Salad

White beans in a white bowl with a lemon wedge.
Cannellini Bean Salad. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

This cannellini bean salad is packed with Italian flavors and ready in less than 10 minutes! Learn how to make this authentic recipe as a side or appetizer for your al fresco dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cannellini Bean Salad

Pesto Rice Salad With Tuna

A bowl of tuna salad with tomatoes and basil.
Pesto Rice Salad With Tuna. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

Pesto rice salad is a refreshing Mediterranean dish that is perfect to make ahead and enjoy on one of those lazy, warm days. This salad is a perfect weeknight light meal or a side for your favorite mains. It is easy, quick, and so flavorful!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Rice Salad With Tuna

White Bean Antipasto Salad

A white bean salad with peppers and olives in a bowl.
White Bean Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Spabettie.

For a quick and easy dish, make this white bean antipasto salad. Bold flavors of bright and briny ingredients that need very little prep.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Antipasto Salad

Easy Canned Chicken Salad

A bowl of chicken salad served with crackers.
Easy Canned Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Caramel & Cashews.

Make the most of your pantry staples with this canned chicken salad. It’s a quick and satisfying lunch – no cooking required. Scoop it onto crackers, serve it on a sandwich, or add it to a mixed greens salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Canned Chicken Salad

Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

Octopus and olives in a dish on a blue background.
Italian Seafood Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

This Italian seafood salad recipe is filled with seven different types of seafood and flavored simply. The best addition to your Italian Christmas eve dinner and for the feast of seven fishes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

Italian Tomato Salad (Insalata di Pomodori)

A plate with tomatoes, onions and lettuce on it.
Italian Tomato Salad. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

This simple Italian tomato salad can be ready in just 10 minutes! It is fresh, sweet, and with a tangy kick, perfect to pair with your favorite proteins.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Salad (Insalata di Pomodori)

Tahini Salad (Levantine Salata With Cucumber And Tomato)

A bowl of cucumber and tomato salad with a fork, perfect for those craving salads without lettuce.
Tahini Salad (Levantine Salata With Cucumber And Tomato). Photo credit: Urban Farm & Kitchen.

This Tahini Salad recipe is so incredibly easy to make it comes together in under 15 minutes. Pair it with a hearty main dish or grilled and fried seafood. It’s also very adaptable and you can modify it to suit your tastes.
Get the Recipe: Tahini Salad (Levantine Salata With Cucumber And Tomato)

Black Bean Fiesta Salad

A bowl of black bean and avocado salad, perfect for those who prefer salads without lettuce.
Black Bean Fiesta Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farm & Kitchen.

This nutritious, delicious and colorful Fiesta Salad combines fresh vegetables with canned beans and tangy Mexican flavors. It’s a great make-ahead or meal-prep salad recipe. I promise you’ll keep coming back to it again and again.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Fiesta Salad

Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad

A bowl of chickpea salad sans lettuce, featuring tomatoes and olives.
Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Veggies Save The Day.

Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad features tomatoes, pine nuts, and fresh basil in a simple vinaigrette. It’s made with thin, quick-cooking Japanese eggplant that are grilled to bring out their sweet flavor. Easy to prepare in under half an hour, this hearty summer salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and delicious meals any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad

Moroccan Carrot And Orange Salad

Carrot salad in a white bowl with oranges, perfect for those looking for salads without lettuce.
Moroccan Carrot And Orange Salad. Photo credit: Veggies Save The Day.

Bursting with flavor from fresh herbs, cinnamon, and cumin, this vegan shredded carrot and orange salad is easy to make in 15 minutes. Moroccan Carrot Salad is light and refreshing and complements a variety of dishes. Enjoy it any time of year as a starter or side.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Carrot And Orange Salad

Turkey Salad Recipe

A turkey salad sandwich on a croissant.
Turkey Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Dinner At The Zoo.

This turkey salad is a blend of diced turkey and colorful veggies, all tossed in a savory creamy dressing. A super easy and delicious way to use up leftover turkey with plenty of options to customize the flavors!
Get the Recipe: Turkey Salad Recipe

Black Eyed Pea Salad With Collard Greens

A bowl of black eyed pea salad on a colorful cloth, showcasing a delicious and refreshing salad without lettuce.
Black Eyed Pea Salad With Collard Greens. Photo credit: Sense & Edibility.

Black eyed pea salad with collard greens is a vegan side dish of black eyed peas tossed with garlic-ginger vinaigrette and fresh veggies. This recipe is a great option for outdoor dining since it contains no dairy. If you love black eyed peas, this flavorful, fresh take on them will soon become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Black Eyed Pea Salad With Collard Greens

Sugar Snap Pea Salad

A bowl of green beans and lemon wedges, perfect for salads without lettuce.
Sugar Snap Pea Salad. Photo credit: A Virtual Vegan.

Fresh, vibrant, crunchy and delicious Sugar Snap Pea Salad with a fresh and zingy lemon, mustard, garlic vinaigrette. It makes a great warm-weather side or light meal.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Black Bean Squash Corn Salad with Grapefruit Crema

Salad made with black beans and corn, perfect for those looking for salads without lettuce.
Black Bean Squash Corn Salad with Grapefruit Crema. Photo credit: Sweet Recipeas.

This Black Bean Squash Corn Salad with Grapefruit Crema tossed with a cumin citrus vinaigrette and topped with pepitas and Manchego cheese.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Squash Corn Salad with Grapefruit Crema

Easy Edamame Salad

A spoon full of peas and beans on a white plate, ideal for salads without lettuce.
Easy Edamame Salad. Photo credit: Crinkled Cook Book.

A balance of Mediterranean flavors comes together in this Easy Edamame Salad recipe. No need to travel to the Mediterranean to enjoy a healthy, super simple salad that starts with frozen, shelled edamame, a jar of whole Kalamata olives, feta cheese and your favorite salad dressing. Much like Blue Cheese Vinaigrette dressing, this edamame salad is simply tangy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Easy Edamame Salad

Whole Roasted Beet Salad

Beets on a white plate, perfect for salads without lettuce.
Whole Roasted Beet Salad. Photo credit: Debra Klein.

If you’re a beet lover and looking for an easy Beet Salad Recipe without Cheese, this is “the one” that will steal your heart. This delicious Whole Roasted Beet Salad Recipe with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a simple side dish that will compliment any healthy meal you’re making.
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Beet Salad

Tepary Bean Salad With Cumin Vinaigrette

Three lettuce-free salad bowls with tortilla chips and salsa.
Tepary Bean Salad With Cumin Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Resplendent Kitchen.

Summer is the perfect time to gather with friends and family for outdoor activities, and what better way to bring everyone together than with a colorful salad? This recipe for vegan Tepary Bean Salad with cumin vinaigrette is refreshing and tasty, making it the perfect addition to any summer gathering!
Get the Recipe: Tepary Bean Salad With Cumin Vinaigrette

Dill Pickle Salad

A plate of dill pickle pasta salad with creamy dressing, diced cheddar cheese, chopped dill, and pickles on a white plate next to a fork.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Here’s a dill pickle pasta salad with a creamy dressing that pops with a tangy, sweet, and sour balance. This zesty salad is loaded with flavor and crunch and it is heartier enough to enjoy as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Salad

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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