Close
Photo: Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey Davis
Try one of our easy salad ideas for lunch that whips together in only 15 minutes of active time. All of them rely on store-bought hacks or everyday pantry staples, which helps cut down on the prep time. Whether you’re in the mood for a midday chicken salad, a big-batch meal-prep salad or a zhuzhed-up salad kit from the store, there’s something for you in this mix of satisfying salads. Recipes like our Chopped Salad with Chickpeas, Olives & Feta and Tuna Salad with Egg are simple, healthy ways to keep your energy level up well into the afternoon.While we suggest these salads for lunch, this should not stop you from enjoying them for dinner. For those recipes that don’t call for chicken or fish in the ingredients, you might want to pair them with rotisserie chicken, sirloin tips or perhaps a loaf of freshly baked artisan bread. No matter when you serve these salads, one thing is for certain: You’ll be looking forward to mealtime.
Try one of our easy salad ideas for lunch that whips together in only 15 minutes of active time. All of them rely on store-bought hacks or everyday pantry staples, which helps cut down on the prep time. Whether you’re in the mood for a midday chicken salad, a big-batch meal-prep salad or a zhuzhed-up salad kit from the store, there’s something for you in this mix of satisfying salads. Recipes like our Chopped Salad with Chickpeas, Olives & Feta and Tuna Salad with Egg are simple, healthy ways to keep your energy level up well into the afternoon.
While we suggest these salads for lunch, this should not stop you from enjoying them for dinner. For those recipes that don’t call for chicken or fish in the ingredients, you might want to pair them with rotisserie chicken, sirloin tips or perhaps a loaf of freshly baked artisan bread. No matter when you serve these salads, one thing is for certain: You’ll be looking forward to mealtime.
01of 21
Chopped Salad with Chickpeas, Olives & Feta
View Recipe
Kelsey Hansen
02of 21White Bean & Veggie SaladView RecipeThis meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.
02of 21
White Bean & Veggie Salad
This meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.
03of 21Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced AppleView RecipeThis salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
03of 21
Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced Apple
This salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
04of 21Tuna Salad with EggView RecipePhotography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey DavisThis simple tuna salad with egg has a clean and balanced flavor. The capers and lemon bring acidity to help everything come together, and chopped arugula adds a peppery kick. Enjoy it with greens or on a slice of your favorite whole-grain bread.
04of 21
Tuna Salad with Egg
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey Davis
This simple tuna salad with egg has a clean and balanced flavor. The capers and lemon bring acidity to help everything come together, and chopped arugula adds a peppery kick. Enjoy it with greens or on a slice of your favorite whole-grain bread.
05of 21Avocado Chicken SaladView RecipeCaitlin BenselThis avocado chicken salad is herbaceous, bright and creamy. The blend of cilantro, dill and chives pairs nicely with fresh avocado. Enjoy this easy chicken salad over lettuce, on crackers or in a wrap.
05of 21
Avocado Chicken Salad
Caitlin Bensel
This avocado chicken salad is herbaceous, bright and creamy. The blend of cilantro, dill and chives pairs nicely with fresh avocado. Enjoy this easy chicken salad over lettuce, on crackers or in a wrap.
06of 21Caprese Pasta SaladView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis light and fresh Caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.
06of 21
Caprese Pasta Salad
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This light and fresh Caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.
07of 21Green Goddess Salad with ChickpeasView RecipeIn this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.
07of 21
Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas
In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.
08of 21Green Salad with Edamame & BeetsView RecipeKatie WebsterThis big salad is a feast for the eyes and an everyday way to incorporate nutrient-rich beets and plant-based protein from edamame (green soybeans). If you’re not a fan of cilantro, mix in freshly chopped basil or dill instead.
08of 21
Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
Katie Webster
This big salad is a feast for the eyes and an everyday way to incorporate nutrient-rich beets and plant-based protein from edamame (green soybeans). If you’re not a fan of cilantro, mix in freshly chopped basil or dill instead.
09of 21Avocado Tuna SaladView RecipePhotography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia BaylessJazz up a can of tuna with this easy avocado tuna salad recipe. Silky avocado adds creaminess that’s cut with a hit of acidity from lemon and a briny punch from feta cheese. Romaine hearts and cucumber offer refreshing crunch.
09of 21
Avocado Tuna Salad
Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
Jazz up a can of tuna with this easy avocado tuna salad recipe. Silky avocado adds creaminess that’s cut with a hit of acidity from lemon and a briny punch from feta cheese. Romaine hearts and cucumber offer refreshing crunch.
10of 213-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean SaladView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
10of 21
3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad
Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
11of 21Chopped Salad with Chicken & Creamy Chipotle DressingView RecipePhotography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay ClarkeThis chopped salad with chicken is smoky and zesty thanks to the creamy chipotle dressing. Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
11of 21
Chopped Salad with Chicken & Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay Clarke
This chopped salad with chicken is smoky and zesty thanks to the creamy chipotle dressing. Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
12of 21Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus DressingView RecipeThis hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
12of 21
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing
This hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
13of 21Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & TunaView RecipeThis power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 g of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens the hearty green enough so you don’t need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
13of 21
Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna
This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 g of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens the hearty green enough so you don’t need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
14of 21Couscous & Chickpea SaladView RecipeCooked couscous and canned chickpeas come together in this quick lunch salad. The basil vinaigrette makes it taste anything but basic! When in season, we recommend adding fresh chopped tomatoes for a spin on tabbouleh.
14of 21
Couscous & Chickpea Salad
Cooked couscous and canned chickpeas come together in this quick lunch salad. The basil vinaigrette makes it taste anything but basic! When in season, we recommend adding fresh chopped tomatoes for a spin on tabbouleh.
15of 21Mediterranean Quinoa SaladView RecipeThis Mediterranean quinoa salad is chock-full of fresh veggies that marinate in a bright, fresh dressing. It’s an easy vegetarian dinner recipe that can also be made ahead as a healthy lunch option.
15of 21
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is chock-full of fresh veggies that marinate in a bright, fresh dressing. It’s an easy vegetarian dinner recipe that can also be made ahead as a healthy lunch option.
16of 21Chopped Cobb Salad with ChickenView RecipeThis healthy chopped salad is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. You can reserve the remaining hard-boiled egg half for a snack.
16of 21
Chopped Cobb Salad with Chicken
This healthy chopped salad is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. You can reserve the remaining hard-boiled egg half for a snack.
17of 21
Tuna & Olive Spinach Salad
18of 21Green Goddess Salad with ChickenView RecipeFor this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chicken salad recipe, a healthy green goddess salad dressing recipe gets its creaminess from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. Any extra dressing is delicious served over grilled chicken or flaky white fish, such as cod or flounder.
18of 21
Green Goddess Salad with Chicken
For this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chicken salad recipe, a healthy green goddess salad dressing recipe gets its creaminess from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. Any extra dressing is delicious served over grilled chicken or flaky white fish, such as cod or flounder.
19of 21Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep SaladView RecipeOne of our most popular salad recipes,Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts, gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market.
19of 21
Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad
One of our most popular salad recipes,Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts, gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market.
20of 21Shrimp & Avocado SaladView RecipeJennifer CauseyPeppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
20of 21
Shrimp & Avocado Salad
Jennifer Causey
Peppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
21of 21Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy ChickpeasView RecipeThis healthy high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it right away or pack it in individual servings for four super-satisfying high-fiber lunches for the week ahead. To cut down on prep time, we’re using preshredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas. Look for roasted chickpea snacks with the healthy snacks or nuts at your grocery store.
21of 21
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas
This healthy high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it right away or pack it in individual servings for four super-satisfying high-fiber lunches for the week ahead. To cut down on prep time, we’re using preshredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas. Look for roasted chickpea snacks with the healthy snacks or nuts at your grocery store.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
