High protein salads can help you stay on track with your diet without compromising on flavor or nutrients. We’ve rounded up 15+ salads that are high in protein and easy to meal prep. No matter what type of diet you’re following, you’re sure to find a salad recipe you love on our list.
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And don’t forget to use a meal planner to make meal prep even easier and more organized.
20 Easy High Protein Salads for Meal Prep
1. Three Bean Salad
This zesty three bean salad is packed with flavor and protein. While they use black beans, cannellini beans and kidney beans in this recipe, you can easily substitute any bean you like. Avocado adds healthy fat, while corn, cilantro, onion and tomato add flavor.
The homemade dressing is so delicious – hot sauce, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, honey and salt.
2. Greek Chicken Bowls
This salad is simple but satisfying and has all of those delicious Mediterranean flavors, like:
- Feta cheese
- Tzatziki sauce
- Tomatoes
- Red onions
- Kalamata olives
- Grilled lemon chicken
- Cucumber
This high-protein, low-carb meal will leave you full and satisfied all afternoon.
3. Southwest Salad
Who says high protein salads have to be boring? This southwest salad is packed with flavor and uses perfectly grilled flank steak instead of the usual chicken breast. Black beans and Greek yogurt add even more protein to this dish.
Spices like chili powder, paprika and turmeric add flavor. Lime juice, salsa, Worcester sauce and black olives round out the dish, which is topped with freshly baked tortilla strips.
While this salad has a lot of ingredients, it’s worth the effort for a satisfying meal that will keep you on track.
4. Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are loaded with veggie protein, making this salad a great choice for vegetarians. This recipe pairs chickpeas with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, feta cheese, red onion and fresh cilantro. The homemade dressing is so simple yet so fresh, mixing olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
It takes just a few minutes of prep to bring this salad together, which makes it perfect for meal prep days.
5. The Ultimate Power Salad
Check out this superfood salad that’s packed with protein. It has everything your body needs to keep its energy levels up all day:
- Kale
- Garbanzo beans
- Quinoa
- Almonds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Spinach
- Red and yellow peppers
You’ll feel full and satisfied after eating this salad. This recipe doesn’t include any dressing, so you’ll need to make your own or go with a healthy store-bought option.
Related: Printable Meal Planner – Template for Meal Planner
6. Chicken Pasta Salad
This chicken pasta salad is so easy to make, and it keeps well, so it’s perfect for meal prepping. All you need are a few simple ingredients:
- Shredded chicken
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Fresh tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Pasta
- Red onion
The dressing is just as simple and easy to make, mixing olive oil and white wine vinegar with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
The fresh green basil and juicy red tomatoes make this salad a feast for the eyes, too.
7. Vegan Thai Quinoa Salad
Yes, high protein salads can be vegan, too. This salad is flavorful, satisfying and nutrient-rich. It pairs quinoa with edamame, cilantro, carrots, cabbage, ginger, garlic, peanuts, peppers, onion and a Thai-inspired dressing.
Make this salad ahead of time and enjoy it over multiple days for lunch or dinner.
8. Healthy Protein Salad
This healthy protein salad is loaded with vegetables and topped with a zesty homemade dressing. Hardboiled eggs, black beans and quinoa are what makes this salad so protein-rich. Cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, red onion and shredded carrots give you those essential servings of veggies. The simple dressing mixes Dijon mustard with lemon juice, maple syrup and tahini.
9. High Protein Tomato and Basil Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired salad has veggie protein and a homemade dressing that will knock your socks off. Garbanzo beans add protein, while tomatoes, avocado, basil, mint and artichokes add flavor. The dressing pairs grain mustard with fresh lemon juice, avocado oil, salt and pepper. Top with pistachios and you have a satisfying salad that you’ll look forward to eating in the days to come.
10. Chicken Power Bowls
Looking for a lunch that’s both hearty and healthy? Chicken salad bowls are delicious! This delicious bowl is packed with protein and flavor, featuring tender chicken, fluffy quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, roasted cauliflower, crunchy chickpeas, crisp cucumber, and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Perfect for meal prep, this salad will keep you full and satisfied all afternoon. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up and customize to your taste.
Here is another delicious chicken power bowl that I love:
This protein-rich salad is simple yet delicious. Start with a bed of fresh baby spinach, and top with grilled chicken, hardboiled eggs, roasted chickpeas, cranberries, pistachios and chevre. You’ll love this flavor combination, and the lemon, garlic, honey dressing is the perfect way to top off this dish.
You can easily make a big enough batch of this salad to last several days.
11. Chicken Avocado Salad with Pears and Walnuts
We love high protein salads that mix sweet and savory flavors like this one. Fresh grilled chicken and turkey bacon slices are mixed with walnuts, avocado, goat cheese, cranberries and slices of fresh pears. The homemade dressing comes together in minutes and really complements the flavors in this dish.
While this dish has a lot of ingredients, it’s easy to scale for meal prep.
12. Savory Cottage Cheese Salad
Here’s a different kind of salad to mix up your meal prep days. Cottage cheese is high in protein but low in fat and calories, making it the ultimate snack or meal in this case.
Top a bowl of cottage cheese with bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, chives and pistachios. A pinch of salt and pepper is all you need to complete this dish.
For meal prepping, keep your veggies in a separate container from your cottage cheese to keep them from getting soggy.
Related: 17 Best Low Carb Protein Shakes You Have to Try
13. Healthy Chicken Salad with Yogurt
Here’s a healthy take on chicken salad that swaps the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds more protein to this dish. Dijon mustard and dill add a punch of flavor. The remaining ingredients are all the ones you’d find in any other chicken salad – cranberries, celery and red onion.
You can eat this on its own or make it into a sandwich or wrap.
14. Chicken Gyro Bowls
This chicken gyro bowl ditches the pita bread and transforms the filling into a salad. Grilled chicken breasts are paired with fresh cucumbers, sliced red onion, brown rice, kalamata olives, feta cheese, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce.
Be sure to use fresh dill here – it will make all the difference.
If you’re not a fan of tzatziki sauce, you can just top this dish with plain Greek yogurt. If you’ve never made tzatziki sauce at home, here’s a great tutorial on how to make it:
15. Sweet Potato Chickpea Feta Salad
If you’re looking for a salad that’s a little heartier, then this recipe is for you. It has roasted sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, green onions, pickled jalapenos, fresh herbs and a delicious homemade dressing.
It’s easy to make a big batch of this salad for meal prepping, and it will stay fresh for several days.
16. Taco Salad
Who doesn’t love a good taco salad? This recipe makes this tasty dish a little healthier by using ground turkey instead of beef and a protein-rich Greek yogurt dressing.
Use 93% lean ground turkey for this recipe to keep it light and satiating. The rest of the ingredients are simple: black beans, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, green onions, fresh herbs, salsa and Greek yogurt.
It’s a quick and easy salad to make, and it packs well, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping.
17. Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad
If you’re looking for light, high protein salads to pack as side dishes, this is a great recipe to try. It’s healthy, sweet and satisfying. Mix quinoa with baby spinach, freshly sliced apples, walnuts, goat cheese and dried cranberries.
For the dressing, mix apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic and spices. This salad is easy to make and perfect for meal prep days.
18. Moroccan Lentil Carrot Salad
Lentils are packed with protein and fiber, so they’re an excellent choice for vegan or vegetarian protein. This salad is so flavorful and includes healthy veggies.
For this recipe, you’ll need lentils, carrots, celery, red onion, kalamata olives, walnuts, raisins and mint. The dressing has a long list of spices, but you can whip up a simple vinaigrette if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the spices in the dressing (cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, chili flakes, etc.) are what give this dish its Moroccan flavor.
19. Balsamic Tofu Summer Salad
Along with protein-rich tofu, this salad adds superfoods and seeds that will keep you energized all day. Pair your favorite tofu with apple, butter lettuce, cucumber, mango, raisins, onion, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts and a homemade balsamic dressing.
Use balsamic glaze for this dressing instead of regular balsamic vinegar. You can easily make several servings of this dish to prep for lunch or dinner.
20. Spiced Lamb with Cauliflower
Lamb is a great source of protein and one that often gets overlooked. Change up your usual salad routine with this lamb salad, which has cauliflower, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, red onion, fresh herbs and a tangy lemon dressing.
Related: 21 Best Protein Lunchables for Adults
Printable Meal Planner
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