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Salads without Lettuce

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Do you love salads but want to take a break from lettuce? These recipes are full of veggies and nutritious ingredients to show that salads without lettuce are also fresh, light, and delicious!

You’ll find filling salads that can be made ahead for filling healthy lunches for work or enjoyed as a main meal or side dish for dinner.

Does a Salad Have to Have Lettuce?

Of course not! A salad is simply a mix of ingredients that can include but is not limited to veggies, cooked meats, pasta, grains, and more all tossed in your choice of dressing -whether it has lettuce or not is completely up to you.

These salads without lettuce taste amazing, are packed with nutrition, and are easy to make. Check them out and click to print the ones you like!

Salad Recipes Without Lettuce

avocado egg salad with bread

Avocado Egg Salad

Perfect on its own, with crusty bread or crackers, or used to fill a sandwich or wrap!

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Sweet Potato Salad

Put a spin on the classic with this sweet and tangy version that’s much healthier than the original.

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large bowl of southwest quinoa salad

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Quinoa, black beans, corn, and many other epic flavors come together in this yummy salad you can prep ahead of time and enjoy both warm or chilled.

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large bowl of shrimp and avocado salad

Avocado and Shrimp Salad

Refreshing and super quick to assemble, this will become one of your go-to salads with high protein.

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salmon pasta salad on a large serving plate

Summer Salmon Pasta Salad

Do you need a salad that is also a complete meal? Enjoy salmon, pasta, and all the freshness you want from a summer meal by making this easy and scrumptious recipe!

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Tuna salad with vegetables and no mayo

Tomato Tuna Salad

Filling, light, and refreshing, this salad with no lettuce or mayonnaise has tons of nutrition, and it’s ready to eat in 5 minutes!

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Chopped Panzanella Salad

Who needs lettuce when you have a mouthwatering combination of fresh ingredients tossed with juicy-cooked chicken and homemade vinaigrette? Simply epic!

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large bowl of carrot raisin salad

Carrot Raisin Salad

Inspired by the Chick-fil-A recipe, this healthier version of the carrot raisin salad is full of tangy, sweet flavor and crunchiness in every bite!

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large bowl of mediterranean chicken farro bowls

Mediterranean Chicken Farro Salad

Whole grains, juicy chicken, cucumber, and tomato come together in this delicious recipe. It’s simple, fast, and fresh: all you need from a salad in one bowl!

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large bowl of bruschetta salad

Bruschetta Salad

Make this easy and fresh salad without lettuce in just 5 minutes. It’s sooo good!

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two dishes of Jambalalya pasta salad on a plate

Cajun Jambalaya Pasta Salad

This Cajun Jambalaya pasta salad is full of New Orleans flavor. A terrific meal for lunch or dinner that comes together in a flash!

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What to Use in a Salad Instead of Lettuce

There are so many different ways to toss a healthy AND great-tasting salad without using lettuce as the base. Check out these other nutritious options that taste just as good, if not better!

  • Arugula: has a peppery taste with plenty of vitamins and minerals. It’s my personal favorite lettuce alternative.
  • Spinach: offers plenty of iron. If you find regular spinach too bitter, baby spinach tends to have a sweeter flavor and softer texture.
  • Kale: massage raw, chopped kale with lemon juice to help soften it. It’s an excellent source of vitamins K and C and tastes great with vinaigrette.
  • Cabbage: is also high in vitamins K and C. It has a sweet and delicious crunch you can pair with any cooked protein and salad toppings. I like using creamy dressing for this option.
  • Spiralized veggies: from zucchini, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and more, a spiralizer is a great way to transform a veggie into a filling base!
  • Shaved Brussels sprouts: similar to cabbage but slightly sweeter. Compared to kale and cabbage, it’s the HIGHEST source of vitamins K and C.
  • Quinoa: high in protein and super filling.
  • Rice: a great base to make a satisfying meal as well as a great way to use up leftovers.
  • Farro: wheat kernels can be cooked and made into a rice-like base for any salad.
  • Cooked pasta: ANY kind of whole-grain pasta tastes super satisfying and makes a great source of fiber.
  • Couscous: similar to quinoa in texture and takes less than 5 minutes to cook!
  • Cubed bread: ever heard of Panzanella? This will change your life.
  • Potatoes: are a healthy starch that offers fiber and makes a satiating base for salads. Cubed potatoes can be boiled or roasted and tossed with your favorite salad ingredients.

Salads with greens other than lettuce

If you love salads with greens but want to leave lettuce aside, these recipes hit the spot! A few greens mixed with tasty and nutritious ingredients show that salads without lettuce can be awesome!

brussels sprouts salad topped with bacon

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon

The bacon takes this salad from great to epic to show that simplicity can taste amazing! An easy and flavorful side you’re going to love!

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Blueberry Spinach Salad

Simple spinach gets even better by adding the sweet touch of blueberries. You can prep this salad in 5 minutes and don’t even need to chop!

Make this recipe
large bowl of breakfast salad topped with a fried egg

Healthy Breakfast Salad

This delicious salad will keep you full for hours, no matter if you enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It’s made with tons of tasty ingredients, and you can add the greens of your choice!

Make this recipe
A big bowl of cranberry quinoa salad on checkered tablecloth

Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Spinach adds a green -and optional- touch to this tangy-sweet fall salad made with quinoa, cranberries, and pecans. Easy, quick, and super nutritious!

Make this recipe
popcorn shrimp salad

Popcorn Shrimp Salad

Did anyone say crunchy? This spectacular salad is made with popcorn shrimp, slaw mix, and a delish dressing that will have everyone asking for more!

Make this recipe
Super Green Kale Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing- Delicious salad recipe that is perfect for entertaining guest or bringing to the office for lunch.

Asian Kale Salad

This Asian-inspired vegetable salad may look green but has no lettuce at all! Instead, kale, red cabbage, and carrots are the stars of the show. Super quick and delicious!

Make this recipe
watermelon feta salad in a large bowl

Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad

When you look for a side dish that screams summer, this fresh salad is it! It’s fresh, healthy, and can be assembled in just 10 minutes.

Make this recipe
Print

18 Epic Salads without Lettuce

large gray plate of chopped salad with couscous
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Pick from one of these salads without lettuce, or get started with this simple couscous salad.

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 5
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Salads

Ingredients

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed & chopped small
  • 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • ⅓ cup parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the couscous, stir, cover with a lid, and turn off the heat. Let it rest to absorb the water and cook for 5 minutes. Once the couscous is ready, fluff it with a fork. 
  2. Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked broccoli and fresh tomatoes.
  3. Transfer the cooked couscous to the salad bowl, top with parsley, and toss to combine all the ingredients with the dressing at the bottom of the bowl. 
  4. Enjoy it warm or refrigerate it for 1 hour or overnight. 

Equipment

Weekly Meal Plan

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zester

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 315
  • Sugar: 2.7 g
  • Sodium: 25.5 mg
  • Fat: 14.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40.4 g
  • Fiber: 4.3 g
  • Protein: 7.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Did you make this recipe?

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More Salads

  • 6 bowls of salad wich chicken
    14 Epic Salads with Chicken
  • Large plate of salad topped with sausage and roasted peppers and onions
    Sausage Salad
  • Tuna salad with vegetables and no mayo
    Tomato Tuna Salad without Mayo
  • Blueberry Spinach Salad

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Katie

    February 20, 2023 at 1:23 pm

    LOVING all these lettuce-free salad ideas!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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