Go Meatless for Your Main Course

1 of 20

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Goat Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You won't miss meat with these satisfying vegetarian lunch salads. They burst with fresh and roasted vegetables, hearty grains like bulgur and quinoa, and protein-rich beans and cheese.Toss warm roasted zucchini, carrots, and onions in a light vinaigrette with Boston lettuce and goat cheese. This salad is endlessly flexible: Add bell peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, or any other vegetables you have on hand.

2 of 20

Butter-Lettuce Salad with Egg and Potatoes

Alpha Smoot

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We like to top this salad with a fried egg, but you could swap in a poached or soft-boiled egg, or even an omelet, if you prefer.

3 of 20

Chickpea Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Radishes, toasted walnuts, and green beans fill out this light and lovely salad. If you have fresh herbs on hand, add them to the tangy buttermilk-sour cream dressing.

4 of 20

Mediterranean Grain Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Reminiscent of tabbouleh, this hearty salad combines bulgur wheat with grape tomatoes, parsley, and tangy goat cheese. Excellent at room temperature, this one-serving recipe is a great choice for a take-along lunch.

5 of 20

Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds

Dana Gallagher

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nutty, protein-rich quinoa mingles with yellow bell pepper, garlic, scallions, and zucchini in this satisfying main-dish salad. After cooking, stir in toasted almonds and celery to add crunch.

6 of 20

White Bean Salad With Spicy Roasted Tomatoes and Broccoli

Yunhee Kim

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The broccoli and tomatoes in this one-dish meal are roasted with garlic until tender and caramelized. Toss with white beans, baby spinach, and a tangy dressing of Dijon mustard, red-wine vinegar, and lemon juice.

7 of 20

Lentil and Bulgur Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

With a sturdy backbone of bulgur wheat and lentils, this is a stick-to-your ribs vegetarian salad. Grape tomatoes, scallions, and feta cheese add bright notes.

8 of 20

Mediterranean Salad with Green Beans and Feta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Navel oranges add bursts of sweetness to this salad of green beans, red onion, feta, and white beans. Save time by making the vinaigrette in the same bowl you use to toss the salad.

9 of 20

Pasta Salad with Feta and Snow Peas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Asia meets the Mediterranean in this fun and fresh pasta salad combining snow peas and cilantro with feta cheese and yellow bell pepper. Enjoy as a light dinner or as part of a picnic lunch.

10 of 20

Lentil Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dress cooked brown lentils, cucumber, parsley, and red onion with an easy red-wine vinegar dressing and top with chopped hard-cooked eggs. Serve this vegetarian main dish over a bed of greens for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

11 of 20

Greek Salad with Chickpeas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This chunky Greek salad features chickpeas, which are rich in fiber and protein, as well as cucumber, tomatoes, olives, parsley, and feta cheese. Toss it with a lemon vinaigrette to add a splash of brightness. This lunch for four takes only 10 minutes to assemble.

12 of 20

White Bean and Broccoli Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Raw broccoli, orange segments, and celery give this salad color and crunch. Plain yogurt, red-wine vinegar, and fresh rosemary make the tangy dressing.

13 of 20

Asian Noodle Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Toss soba noodles, blanched green beans, and silken tofu in a dressing of lime juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil to make this cool Asian salad. This 15-minute dish is perfect as a light dinner or an office lunch.

14 of 20

Bean, Corn, and Tortilla Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy taco salad begins with a bed of romaine lettuce and baked tortilla chips. Heat pinto beans, frozen corn, and salsa in the microwave to make the warm topping.

15 of 20

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted red peppers, fresh orange peppers, toasted almonds, and chickpeas give this salad color and substance. The tangy vinaigrette is made from white-wine vinegar, grainy mustard, and olive oil.

16 of 20

Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Peanuts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red-pepper flakes create a delectable Asian-style dressing for this whole-wheat pasta and broccoli salad. Pack it for lunch and enjoy it chilled, or serve it warm for dinner.

17 of 20

Bulgur with Roasted Red Peppers, Chickpeas, and Spinach

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chewy, nutty-tasting bulgur wheat forms the foundation of this satisfying main-dish salad. Crisp pan-fried chickepeas, roasted red bell peppers, and baby spinach leaves complete the meal.

18 of 20

Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This meatless main-dish salad gets Middle Eastern allure from toasty cumin and lemon zest. The combination of chickpeas and whole-wheat couscous provides complete protein.

19 of 20

Chickpea, Cherry Tomato, and Feta Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salad stands up well to being prepared in advance and going in the lunchbox to work or school. Chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese marinate in an oregano and lemon vinaigrette until you're ready for lunch.

20 of 20

Mediterranean Salad with Artichokes, Penne, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No need to choose between pasta salad and greens when you can have both! Sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and cannellini beans make this salad a satisfying meal.

Replay gallery

Account

More

Meatless Main-Course Salad Recipes

1 of 20

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Goat Cheese

1 of 20

2 of 20

Butter-Lettuce Salad with Egg and Potatoes

2 of 20

3 of 20

Chickpea Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

3 of 20

4 of 20

Mediterranean Grain Salad

4 of 20

5 of 20

Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds

5 of 20

6 of 20

White Bean Salad With Spicy Roasted Tomatoes and Broccoli

6 of 20

7 of 20

Lentil and Bulgur Salad

7 of 20

8 of 20

Mediterranean Salad with Green Beans and Feta

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pasta Salad with Feta and Snow Peas

9 of 20

10 of 20

Lentil Salad

10 of 20

11 of 20

Greek Salad with Chickpeas

11 of 20

12 of 20

White Bean and Broccoli Salad

12 of 20

13 of 20

Asian Noodle Salad

13 of 20

14 of 20

Bean, Corn, and Tortilla Salad

14 of 20

15 of 20

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

15 of 20

16 of 20

Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Peanuts

16 of 20

17 of 20

Bulgur with Roasted Red Peppers, Chickpeas, and Spinach

17 of 20

18 of 20

Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

18 of 20

19 of 20

Chickpea, Cherry Tomato, and Feta Salad

19 of 20

20 of 20

Mediterranean Salad with Artichokes, Penne, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

20 of 20

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery