15 Plant-Based Recipes for Super Hearty Salads

There is nothing quite like a fresh leafy salad topped with summer veggies such as tomatoes and cucumber. Sometimes all you need is something light and refreshing, especially in the heat of summer or when you have a big main course on the way.

But, salads don’t have to be on the lighter side. Many delicious salads are much heartier and can even make a main course all by themselves. Potatoes, pasta, lentils, quinoa, and chunky veg can take a simple salad to new heights.

Here is a list of super hearty salads that could work as your whole lunch, leaving you full and nourished.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our Bean Archives!

1. Balsamic-Roasted Beets & Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing

Source: Balsamic-Roasted Beets & Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing

This Balsamic-Roasted Beets & Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing by Christine DesRoches is the perfect fall salad. It also pairs well with other dinner dishes. The salad is quite filling and full of nutrients.

2. Grilled Acorn Squash Salad

Source: Grilled Acorn Squash Salad

This Grilled Acorn Squash Salad by Lena Novak with baby arugula, pomegranate, and almond feta, could be a wonderful addition to any celebration table. Not only because of its lovely presentation and flavor but because it is healthy as well.

3. Hearty Roasted Vegetable Rice Salad

Source: Hearty Roasted Vegetable Rice Salad

This Hearty Roasted Vegetable Rice Salad by Patrica Granek is a super delicious and satisfying meal. A wild rice salad recipe made with simple whole food ingredients and dressed with a delicious easy salad dressing. It’s an easy recipe for rice salad that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a potluck recipe.

4. Roasted Potato Broccoli Salad

Source: Roasted Potato Broccoli Salad

This creamy, out-of-this-world, slightly sweet roasted vegan potato salad recipe will knock your socks off. This Roasted Potato Broccoli Salad by Robin Browne is one of those vegan salad recipes you will return to again and again. Especially in the summer months when the BBQ is constantly on. This salad is a perfect companion to those hearty veggie burgers you’ll be cooking all summer long.

5. Crispy Salad with Couscous and Seeds

Source: Crispy Salad with Couscous and Seeds

This Crispy Salad with Couscous and Seeds by Lenia & Dimitra is light, aromatic, and nutritious! It’s so easy to prepare and will be a crowd favorite!

6. Quinoa Salad with Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette

Source: Quinoa Salad with Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette

Try this Quinoa Salad with Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette by Caroline Doucet. This is a simple salad made with quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh summer herbs. Stir in a zesty Dijon vinaigrette for a delicious and light summer meal.

7. Beet and Arugula Salad with Fennel

Source: Beet and Arugula Salad with Fennel

This Beet and Arugula Salad with Fennel by Crissy Cavanaugh is such a delicious, filling, and flavorful salad. It has complementary textures that you will love. Make it a go-to meal for this cold winter season.

8. Kale Falafel Salad Bowl

Source: Kale Falafel Salad Bowl

This Roasted Poblano Kale Falafel Salad Bowl by Stephanie McKinnie with Lemon Jalapeño Tahini Vinaigrette is the epitome of comfort food. It’s spicy and hearty enough to be considered a meal.  There is so much flavor, texture, and nutrition and the tahini jalapeño vinaigrette put it over the top!

9. Massaged Kale Salad

Source: Massaged Kale Salad

This Massaged Kale Salad by Christina Bedetta is super convenient because the hearty yet flavorful leaves can be prepped and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week! Mix it up to your liking, and enjoy!

10. Roasted Corn and Potato Salad

Source: Roasted Corn and Potato Salad

This fresh Roasted Corn and Potato Salad by Angelina Papanikolaou is coated with a healthy and light olive oil lemon dressing. It is a hearty salad that would make a great lunch or main meal.

11. Plant Protein Pasta Salad Bowl

Source: Plant Protein Pasta Salad Bowl

This Plant Protein Pasta Salad Bowl by Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler is easily one of the quickest and tastiest meals you will pull off all week. Swap the traditional thick-sauced, glutenous pasta dish for a lighter and super nourishing weeknight meal.

12. Grapefruit Grain Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Source: Grapefruit Grain Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

This unique Grapefruit Grain Salad with Roasted Chickpeas by Medha Swaminathan combines a farro base with fresh radishes and cilantro, as well as grapefruit-roasted chickpeas and a grapefruit vinaigrette! Besides being the prettiest color, grapefruits add a lot of versatility to any dish. Not only are they great in desserts, but they also work so well in savory dishes.

13. Green Pea Fusilli Salad with Orange Citrus Vinaigrette

Source: Green Pea Fusilli Salad with Orange Citrus Vinaigrette

Served as a meal or side dish, this Green Pea Fusilli Salad with Orange Citrus Vinaigrette by Julie Zimmer is refreshing and flavorful. It’s a salad that will fill you up but in a light kind way. It’s also easy to make. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, the green pea fusilli in this dish will also give you good-quality plant protein. Made with 100% green peas ground into flour, the fusilli is an alternative to traditional pasta and a great way to get your plant protein without lentils or tofu.

14. Tempeh Salad with Tahini Dressing

Source: Tempeh Salad with Tahini Dressing

Try massaged kale with balsamic sautéed tempeh, tangy tahini dressing, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and hemp hearts. This Tempeh Salad with Tahini Dressing by Caroline Doucet is done in less than 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

15. Lentil Salad With Crunchy Veggies & Herbs

Source: Lentil Salad With Crunchy Veggies & Herbs

Fresh, nourishing & crunchy – this late summer Lentil Salad With Crunchy Veggies & Herbs by Laine Rudolfa is a healthy and easy dish that fills you up more than just a regular salad. Lentils, which are high in plant protein, are satisfying and nutritious. But the late August zucchinis, corn, greens, herbs, capers, and lingonberries all create a tasty combo and add crispiness. The tangy dressing gives this salad the final flavor bomb. Yum!

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