22 Recipes for Delectable High-protein Vegetable Salads for Weight Loss (Healthy & Tasty)

When I was a kid, I never liked eating salads not because I didn’t like vegetables but because it was always the same type of salad, nothing ever changed about it which bore the hell out of me. However, now that I’m all grown up and I have kids of my own, I decided not to let them go with the same bad eating habits that I had before, so the first change on my table was the salad.

So, I started experimenting and searching for different types of healthy salads. At first, it was difficult to find anything creative and new but the more time I spent on this mission of mine, the more I found some EXCITING recipes that I knew for a fact that will be an instant hit not just with my children, but also to use as side dishes for different types of evenings and gatherings.

And to be honest, some of these recipes became my comfort food without the high calories and WITH the great rich taste.

After the success of the recipes with my kids, I decided to take it a step further and to involve recipes that are also great for losing weight and sometimes can be eaten as a main meal.

With no further ado, if you’re looking to lose weight and want some delicious salad recipes, you have come to the right place.

These 22 Delicious High Protein Weight Loss Vegetable Salad Recipes are not only nutritious but also extremely delightful in their own right. And the best part is that each of these recipes is high in protein, which will help you feel fuller for longer and assist you in reaching your goal of losing weight.

There’s something here for everyone, from a straightforward salad made with cucumbers and tomatoes to a more involved dish made with quinoa and black beans.

Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

I remember the first time I tried pesto on toast and OH MY GOD! What a life-changing moment it was! Since then, I constantly looked for recipes that have pesto involved, and you can only imagine how thrilled I was when I found this recipe.

This salad is the perfect pesto salad, it’s creamy but not heavy. To make up the pesto dressing you will need olive oil, basil, parmesan cheese, and garlic and for the salad itself, you’ll need a mix of pasta, cherry tomatoes, minced cucumber, and red onions. And don’t forget to stir in the pesto dressing to coat your salad. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature, and season it to taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 12 ounces whole-wheat rotini pasta
• 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (I used 2 percent which is reflected in the nutritional data)
• 1/2 cup pesto Basil-spinach pesto recipe
• 3/4 cup chopped olive oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Get the recipe here.

LEARN MORE: 30 Healthy Tofu and Pesto Recipes (Best for Dietary Restrictions)

Radish Salad Recipe

Radish salad is a refreshing summer dish. It has a mix of flavors that forces you to keep eating, and that’s why it’s my family’s favorite for late-night meals.

To balance the peppery radishes, you’ll need to use sweet oranges. First, you have to slice radishes thinly, orange segments, avocado, and feta cheese to make the salad. Second, dress the salad with olive oil, lime juice, and honey vinaigrette. Third, you will be eating a bright and flavorful salad.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of radishes, sliced very thinly or julienned
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• one-half of a red onion of a medium size
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 3 tablespoons worth of fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt & pepper to taste

Get the recipe here.

Chopped Vegetable Confetti Salad Recipe

When I want to grab people’s attention, I simply go with chopped vegetable confetti salad for its mix of colors and textures.

This salad is healthy and easy to make. First, dice your favorite vegetables and mix them. Second, you add the dressing, which can be anything that you like. Personally, I like to dress it in vinaigrette or light cream. Lastly, you can add cheese or nuts to add more flavor and a crunch. This salad is great for lunch, dinner, potlucks, and picnics. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 4 cups cauliflower, roughly chopped 4 cups broccoli, roughly chopped
• 2 cups carrot, roughly chopped 2 cups celery, roughly chopped
• 1 red pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion 2 minced garlic cloves

Get the recipe here.

Sprouts Salad Recipe

When I’m lazy and have some leftover sprouts, I tend to go with a simple sprout salad. I simply combine sprouts, apples, walnuts, and cranberries, and I use olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard to make the dressing. Then, I add a little bit of seasoning. This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for 24 hours. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of a variety of sprouts (moong daal, rajma, chana, etc.)
• 1 fourth of a cup of grated radish
• a half cup of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander
• 1/4 cup of methi leaves, chopped very finely
• 1 green chili, chopped

Get the recipe here.

LEARN MORE: 20+ Fresh Trout Salad Recipes (Not Your Regular Diet Salad)

Healthy Indian Salad Recipes for Weight Loss

When I’m feeling adventurous, I try to go with unfamiliar spices and flavors, and for me, nothing beats the rich Indian spices. Despite being stereotyped as unhealthy, Indian food has many healthy and delicious recipes. Cucumber, tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, and cilantro are common in Indian salads. This refreshing salad is also nutrient-dense. Cucumber, tomatoes, and onion are rich in vitamins A and C.

This healthy salad is easily customizable. You can simply add chicken, tofu, nuts, or seeds for protein and crunch. You can also use dressings and spices to create your personal flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups red grapefruit
• 1 cup chopped apple
• Arils: 1/3 cup
• 1/2 tablespoon minced serrano chiles
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 tablespoon organic honey
• 1 pinch flakes

Get the recipe here.

Beet and Berry Salad Recipe

Looking for the perfect salad for potlucks and dinner parties? Well, you should try this recipe.

Beet and Berry Salad is one of my favorite fruit salads. It’s savory and sweet. I roast the beets and combine them with the berries, feta cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette. Flavorful and textural salad results, where beets add earthiness, while berries add sweetness, and the balsamic vinaigrette and feta cheese add creaminess and saltiness.

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized beets
• 1/2 teaspoon oil
• 6 c. arugula
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Get the recipe here.

Strawberry Arugula Salad With Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

In this recipe, the almond-strawberry lemon vinaigrette complements the sweet strawberries, tart goat cheese, and savory chicken.

You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or shredded rotisserie chicken. After the chicken is cooked, add arugula, strawberries, goat cheese, and almonds. Then, you Whisk strawberry lemon juice, olive oil, and honey to make a vinaigrette. Season and drizzle over salad. Asap. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 TB olive oil
• 1TB lemon juice
• 1 tbsp balsamic
• 5 stemmed/topped strawberries
• 1/8 tsp salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Get the recipe here.

Super Raw Power Salad Recipe

When you need a healthy and tasty meal quickly, you can simply make this super raw power salad.

You can make it ahead of time and save it in the fridge to eat whenever you want to. All you have to do to make the salad is put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well. Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a bowl with a whisk. Toss the salad with the dressing to coat.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic or cider vinegar
• 1 TB syrup
• 1/8 tsp garlic
• 1/8-tsp salt

Get the recipe here.

Healthier Grilled Caesar Salad Recipe

Want a healthier Caesar salad? This grilled Caesar salad is delicious. It’s made with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, and a light dressing. It’s healthier than the mayonnaise-laden version.

Start by preheating your grill. Cut romaine into bite-size pieces while it heats. Then grill the chicken. Assemble the salad after grilling the lettuce and chicken. Lay lettuce on a large plate or platter. Add chicken, croutons, and Parmesan. And don’t forget the dressing of course. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 TB vinegar
• 1TB mayo
• minced garlic
• Anchovies
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice
• 6–8 pepper mill turns
• 50% olive oil

Get the recipe here.

Caprese Pasta Salad With Hemp Pesto Recipe

Another awesome pesto dressing salad. It’s light, filling, and easily customizable. The whole wheat pasta added fiber, but you can use your regular pasta too.

To make this recipe extra special you could also use a sun-dried tomato pesto or dairy-free pesto. The hemp seeds in the salad add nuttiness and protein. You could also use ground flaxseed or chia seeds.

Add freshly grated Parmesan to pesto for extra flavor. This warm-or-cold dish is perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basil leaves
• 1/4 cup each of hemp oil and Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup each of hemp seeds
• ½ tbsp. lemon zest
• 1 individual garlic clove
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Get the recipe here.

LEARN MORE: How to Store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Chicken Salad Sandwich With Raisins and Curry Powder Recipe

For an actual healthy snack, I like this easy-to-make chicken salad sandwich.

It is a delicious and healthy recipe with raisins and curry powder. To make the chicken salad you’ll need mayonnaise, chicken, celery, raisins, and curry powder topped with apple slices and lettuce. This sandwich is great for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp golden raisins
• 3 cups of chicken, cooked and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, sliced as thinly as possible
• 1/2 of an onion, diced
• 1 carrot that has been shredded
• 1/2 milligram of curry powder
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil mayonnaise

Get the recipe here.

Japanese Cucumber Salad Recipe

This Japanese cucumber salad recipe is crisp and refreshing. It’s vinegar-dressed and perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish.

All you need to do is to combine sliced cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and refrigerate for an hour. Add toppings, then enjoy. At last, you can add tofu or chicken for a heartier salad.

This dish is best served chilled, so plan ahead for your next backyard barbecue. Everyone will love this cucumber salad.

Ingredients

• 4 thinly-sliced Persian cucumbers
• 1/2 thinly-sliced white onion
• 1 tbsp fresh dill
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• sugar 1 tbsp
• toasted sesame seeds

Get the recipe here.

Carrot Salad with Black Grape Dressing Recipe

Summer’s black grapes are my favorite fruit, and I love the idea that I can have them as a part of this salad.

Carrot Salad with Black Grape Dressing uses the summer’s black grapes. Sweet grapes and savory carrots make a nice contrast, with feta cheese and toasted pecans adding richness to the taste. This salad can be made quickly with simple ingredients.

• 4 cups Carrots, grated
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds that have been blanched.
• 1/2 cup of raisins that have been soaked.
• 1 cup of sliced spring onions
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1/2 cup Vinegar

Get the recipe here.

Barley Salad Recipe

Barley salad is a healthy winter dish. You cook the barley and then mix it with kale, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and almonds in chicken broth. After that, the salad is tossed with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. This salad is sure to please even the pickiest eaters as a main course or side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 4-5 Madras onions (also known as baby onions)
• 1/2 capsicum green (diced)
• 1/2 Red bell pepper (diced)
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper (diced)
• 1/2 a cup of corn husks and kernels
• 1 1/2 a cup of barley that has been cooked.
• 1 tablespoon of dried red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp cumin, roasted
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped.

Get the recipe here.

Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven (12 Min, Vegan)

Your non-vegan friends will request seconds of this recipe. The dressing is the secret to its delectable flavor. Arugula, also known as rocket salad, has a peppery flavor that pairs well with the sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and savory lentils and onions.

The dressing is perfectly balanced between sour and sweet, and it brings together all the flavors beautifully. This salad is ideal for a light lunch or as a side dish with a heartier meal. It’s quick and simple to prepare, so what are you waiting for?

Ingredients

• 75 grams of cashews are equal to a half cup’s worth.
• 1 onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 chili / jalapeño
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 3 slices of bread made with whole grains (whole wheat)
• 1 cup of cooked brown lentils

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Salads with pasta are always great for potlucks and picnics. This Easy to make recipe requires cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. For the dressing, you need to mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt. Then, you mix all ingredients and you’ll have your ready-to-serve salad.

Ingredients

• 1 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 2 minced garlic cloves and the juice of one lemon.
• 2 teaspoons of paste made from anchovies
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• Parmesan cheese that has been freshly grated, one half cup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Get the recipe here.

Summer Blackberry Salad With Cashew Ricotta Recipe

Blackberry salad with cashew ricotta is a healthy summertime dish that works as both a side and main dish. All you need to do is to toss blackberries, almonds, and cashew ricotta in a balsamic vinaigrette. The blackberries pair well with the cashew ricotta, and the balsamic vinegar balances all the flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, dry, rinsed
• 1.5 ounces of water
• 8 cups of a variety of greens
• 1 cucumber, chopped, and it should be large.
• 2 measuring cups of blackberries
• 1/4 cup of uncooked pumpkin seeds
• Ricotta is made from cashews

Get the recipe here.

Warm Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

This Warm goat cheese salad recipe is great as a party or holiday starter. The salad combines greens, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and pistachios. While the dressing combines olive oil, lemon juice, and thyme. This salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for two days. At last, you drizzle the salad with dressing and crumble goat cheese before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 fresh goat cheese log (about 4 ounces)
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 milligram of dried thyme or one teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• To taste, salt and black pepper will be used.
• 1 egg, beaten to a frosty state
• 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
• 16 cups of arugula or a mixture of greens (6-oz bag)
• Balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 pear, sliced, peeled, and cored before being sliced.

Get the recipe here.

Quick Nicoise Salad

Adding eggs to a salad can be weird at first, but once you try it you’ll be surprised how tasty it can be. This salad uses leftover potatoes, beans, and eggs. Nicoise salad typically uses tuna, but you can use any type of protein.

To make a quick Nicoise salad, combine potatoes, green beans, eggs, and protein. Add salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar as a dressing. This salad is a main dish or side dish, and it also can be served cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 large)
• 1/4 pound of fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1/2 cup oil and vinegar salad dressing
• 1/2 milligram of lemon zest that has been grated
• 1/4 milligram of pepper that has been freshly ground

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad Recipe

This Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad is a healthy summer meal. The chicken is perfectly grilled, and the avocado makes the salad creamy. It also has tomatoes, cucumbers, and vinaigrette, and it only takes 30 minutes to make.

It’s a great light lunch or dinner or side dish. So, don’t wait for too long and try it out!

• 12 oz cooked chicken
• 12 cups arugula (1 prewashed bag)
• a quarter of a cup of dried cranberries
• 1 avocado, core removed, skin removed, and slices removed
• 1/4 cup of goat cheese in crumbled form
• 1 fourth of a cup of roughly chopped walnuts
• Vinaigrette with honey mustard and mustard, one-fourth cup
• To taste, salt and black pepper will be used.

Get the recipe here.

Mediterranean Chopped Vegetable Salad Recipe

Some days when I don’t want to go out of my way to get any specific ingredients, I just go with whatever vegetables I have and chop them together and I toss some feta cheese and vinaigrette, which all makes it incredibly easy to make.

This salad is a great light lunch or barbecue side. Try this recipe, you won’t regret it

Ingredients

• 4 cups of cauliflower that has been roughly chopped
• 4 cups of broccoli that has been roughly chopped
• 2 cups of the carrot, roughly chopped.
• 2 cups of celery that has been roughly chopped
• 1 red pepper, roughly chopped as an ingredient
• 1 cup of onion that has been roughly chopped.
• 2 whole garlic cloves, minced.

Get the recipe here.

LEARN MORE: 10 Best Salad Spinners For The Healthy Eaters

Weight Watchers Santa Fe Salad With Chile-lime Dressing

Santa Fe salad with chile-lime dressing is nutrient-dense and low in calories making it an ideal option for weight loss.

The chile-lime dressing adds zest, and the beans and corn add filling fiber, while the chicken and avocado make this a complete meal. This Weight Watchers-friendly salad can be made in minutes, so try making it today.

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp low-cal mayo
• 3 tbsp fresh, chopped cilantro
• 3-tablespoon water
• 1 minced uncooked scallion
• 2 TB lime juice
• 2 tsp sugar – I used 1 packet of Splenda to save calories.
• chili powder, 1/2 tsp
• 15 oz rinsed black beans

Get the recipe here.

Conclusion

You don’t need to look any further than these high-protein vegetable salads if you are looking for a healthy and delicious way to lose weight. With more than 20 different recipes to pick from, this site truly does have something for everyone. Therefore, get in the kitchen and enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!