Main Course Salads That Don’t Need a Side of Anything

Plus, these keep well for lunch the next day (and the next)

By SAVEUR Editors | Published Jun 6, 2018 11:45 PM

Food

Brighten up any day with this simple roast chicken and fresh eggplant and herb salad. Get the recipe for Chicken, Olive, and Eggplant Salad ». Farideh Sadeghin

When we hear “salad,” we often subconsciously tack on “side.” Except for these 22 salads aren’t your average vinaigrette– and crouton–topped piles of mixed greens. While some are paired with meats like grilled skirt steak or octopus, others rely on vegetarian proteins, like eggs or halloumi cheese, for their bulk. Ultimately, these are salads that are a meal on their own, a one-bowl lunch or dinner, and most importantly, a way to eat a whole lot of vegetables and feel fully satisfied.

Chickpea Tofu Salad (Burmese Salad with Shan Tofu)

Lentil Salad with Pork

Cannellini Bean Salad with Radicchio and Celery

Cannellini Bean Salad with Radicchio and Cele

Seaweed Salad with Orange and Macadamia Nuts

Farmer’s Salad with Beet Vinaigrette

This salad is topped with a bright thick sweet-tart pickled beet dressing. Get the recipe for Farmer’s Salad with Beet Vinaigrette »

Chicken, Olive, and Eggplant Salad

Brighten up any day with this simple roast chicken and fresh eggplant and herb salad. Get the recipe for Chicken, Olive, and Eggplant Salad »

Honey-Grilled Chicken with Citrus Salad

Charred Asparagus and Egg Salad

Super easy and fresh, this is a perfect dish for spring, but also translates well to outdoor cooking in the summer. Get the recipe for Charred Asparagus and Egg Salad »

Smoked Trout, Rutabaga, and Microgreen Salad

Mix flaky chunks of smoked trout and roasted golden rutabaga with your choice of microgreens to add a fresh hint of early spring to this rustic salad. Get the recipe for Smoked Trout, Rutabaga, and Microgreen Salad »

Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon, Avocado, and Shrimp Salad »

This substantial summer salad is a tribute to the “everything tastes better grilled” philosophy of cooking, one with which I am currently obsessed. Here, watermelons get even sweeter from the flames, shrimp gets crisp and plump, and avocado turns deliciously smoky. Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon, Avocado, and Shrimp Salad »

Grilled Skirt Steak with Herb Salad

This steak is seasoned simply with salt and pepper and served with a light herb salad with a whole grain mustard and honey dressing. Get the recipe for Grilled Skirt Steak with Herb Salad »

Grilled Halloumi and Cherry Salad

Soba Noodle Salad with Miso and Grilled Prawns

A miso marinade doubles as a dressing for a flavorful salad composed of watercress, scallions, and soba noodles. Get the recipe for Soba Noodle Salad with Miso and Grilled Prawns »

Cilantro and Lime Chicken with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad

A simple and fresh black bean salad with grilled corns pairs perfectly with a quick marinated and grilled chicken. Get the recipe for Cilantro and Lime Chicken with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad »

Sausage and Arugula Pasta Salad

Escarole with Confit Duck Gizzards, Comté, and Walnuts

Winemakers Alice and Olivier de Moor use confit duck gizzards in this simple winter salad, but confit duck legs make a fine substitute. Get the recipe for Escarole with Confit Duck Gizzards, Comté, and Walnuts »

Sautéed Crab with Avocado, Grapefruit and Herb Salad

Crabmeat is rubbed with a smoky chile paste, then sautéed and tossed in a refreshing salad of creamy avocado, tart grapefruit, and herbs. Get the recipe for Sautéed Crab with Avocado, Grapefruit and Herb Salad »

Sweet and Sour Vegetables with Poached Egg

Ginger, lemongrass, and maple vinegar add a warm base note to this dish, which is packed with root vegetables, and topped with a crisp greens and a poached egg.