50 filling salad recipes

If it's too hot for soup and sandwiches make you feel stodgy, try one of these filling salads. They're tasty, healthy and won't leave you feeling peckish mid-afternoon.

Pan fried lamb with giant couscous salad
(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

If it's too hot for soup and sandwiches make you feel stodgy, try one of these filling salads. They're tasty, healthy and won't leave you feeling peckish mid-afternoon.

These filling salad recipes are brilliant if you want to eat a little healthier but don't want to go hungry. Salad recipes don't need to be boring and they can also fill you up - you just need to know the magic ingredients that can turn a simple salad into a filling meal the whole family can enjoy.

These filling salad recipes come in all shapes and sizes as well as flavours and ingredients - you're going to be spoilt for choice.

We've got delicious salads to choose from including a Moroccan chicken salad, Slimming World's summer mackerel salad and a summery rice and prawn salad.

Perfect for hearty lunches or light dinners in the sun, take a look through our delicious filling salad ideas.

Slimming World's summer mackerel salad

Slimming World's summer mackerel salad

Slimming World's summer mackerel salad is ideal for fish lovers. It's healthy, easy-to-make and packed full of fruity, sweet and fishy flavours - delicious!

Get the recipe: Slimming World's summer mackerel salad

Fruity pasta salad

Fruity pasta salad

This fresh and fruity pasta salad is ideal for enjoying in the summer sun. The citrus flavours and short-shaped pasta make this dish irresistible.

Get the recipe: Fruity pasta salad 

Sticky roast chicken salad

Sticky roast chicken salad

This sticky roast chicken salad is ready in 35 mins and is packed full of fresh flavour. The sticky chicken is covered in sweet chilli dipping sauce which tastes great with the Chinese lettuce and shallots.

Get the recipe: Sticky roast chicken salad

Warm salmon and minted vegetable salad

Warm salmon and minted vegetable salad

This filling warm salmon and minted vegetable salad also includes peas, fresh mint and a tangy dressing.

Get the recipe: Warm salmon and minted vegetable salad

Tuna penne niçoise

Tuna penne niçoise

A classic tuna nicoise salad can be made even more filling with the addition of a little penne pasta - see this Slimming World recipe for a healthy take.

Get the recipe: Tuna penne niçoise

Chicken, tomato and peach couscous salad

Chicken, tomato and peach couscous salad

Add sweet peach to your salad with this chicken, tomato and peach couscous salad recipe. You may think it sounds strange but the tangy peach flavour compliments the cous cous and succulent chicken.

Get the recipe: Chicken, tomato and peach couscous salad

Warm chicken and barley salad

Warm chicken and barley salad

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This cheap, light and healthy warm chicken and barley salad is sure to become a firm favourite. Made with little effort, this dish is bursting with flavour that will definitely keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Get the recipe: Warm chicken and barley salad

Chicken, beetroot and rice salad

Chicken, beetroot and rice salad

Make this chicken, beetroot and rice salad for a delicious filling lunch. The sweet beetroot and the succulent chicken breasts make a hearty combo that definitely hits the spot.

Get the recipe: Chicken, beetroot and rice salad

Pasta, avocado and minty beans salad

Pasta, avocado and minty beans salad

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Got your friends coming over for lunch? Make this delicious and healthy pasta, avocado and minty beans salad. The mint brings a lovely kick to the smooth flavours of the avocado - and the pasta and beans will keep you full until dinner!

Get the recipe: Pasta, avocado and minty beans salad

Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad

Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad

Fancy something a little different? Try Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad recipe. Use leftover chicken to make this salad which is full of veg and topped with a lovely lime and chilli dressing.

Get the recipe: Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad

Warm chicken tzatziki salad

Warm chicken tzatziki salad

Adding plenty of protein is a great way to make your salad more filling and we love this warm recipe which uses chicken and is served up with a cooling Tzatziki.

Get the recipe: Warm chicken tzatziki salad

Poached egg salad niçoise

Poached egg salad niçoise

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This mouth-watering poached egg salad niçoise salad combines a meaty tuna steak, sharp black olives, fresh chives and gooey poached eggs together to create the ultimate filling salad.

Get the recipe: Poached egg salad niçoise salad

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh

This Mediterranean salad is made with filling bulgur wheat to keep you going for that little bit longer. Full of juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs and covered in a zingy dressing, this is the perfect light lunch or side dish to dinner.

Get the recipe: Tabbouleh

Chicken liver salad

Chicken liver salad

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This chicken liver salad is an old school classic. With juicy fresh

chicken livers, streaky bacon and a handful of crisp green leaves, this

salad is delicious and full of protein.

Get the recipe: chicken liver salad

Potato and apple salad with mackerel

Potato and apple salad with mackerel

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

Fancy something different? Try our potato and apple salad with mackerel -

the sweetness of the apple adds a sharp and moreish flavour to the fish

and the potato will keep you satisfied for longer.

Get the recipe: Potato and apple salad with mackerel

Couscous and pomegranate salad

Couscous and pomegranate salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

This quick and easy salad is the perfect filling lunch. Equally as delicious served warm or cold, it balances sweet and savoury really well.

Get the recipe: Couscous and pomegranate salad

Oriental duck salad

Oriental duck salad

With the fat removed, duck is one of the leanest meats and makes a satisfying meal with very little extras, Try this simple salad with only six ingredients that can be ready in half an hour.

Get the recipe: Oriental duck salad

Thai chicken rice salad

Thai chicken rice salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

With a deliciously sweet and sour dressing, this salad turns leftover

chicken into a delicious dish which won't leave you hungry. We love all

the fresh herbs, which help to give this dish so much flavour.

Get the recipe: Thai chicken rice salad

Zingy rice and prawn salad

Zingy rice and prawn salad

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Punchy lime and juicy prawns make this a delicious and satisfying dish.

Mixed with fresh veggies and rice it makes a moreish meal.

Get the recipe: Zingy rice and prawn salad

Trout salad with creamy tomato dressing

Trout salad with creamy tomato dressing

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This summery-looking dish a delicious combination of healthy fresh trout, crunchy greens and a light and tangy crème fraîche dressing.

Get the recipe: Trout salad with creamy tomato dressing

Warm spaghetti with rocket, raisins and chickpeas

Warm spaghetti with rocket, raisins and chickpeas

This veggie salad makes the most of delicious fresh veggies. Adding chickpeas means you're getting an extra portion of fruit and veg for the day and they are full of healthy vitamins and minerals too.

Get the recipe: Warm spaghetti with rocket, raisins and chickpeas

Chickpea and coriander salad

Chickpea and coriander salad

Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein and slow-release energy. This quick and simple chickpea and coriander salad will keep you full until dinner.

Get the recipe: Chickpea and coriander salad

Poached egg and bacon salad

Poached egg and bacon salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

Crispy bacon, homemade croutons and poached eggs make this

brunch-inspired poached egg and bacon salad filling and full of flavour.

Get the recipe: Poached egg and bacon salad

Cauliflower and radish salad

Cauliflower and radish salad

Packed with plenty of healthy raw veg, this salad has loads of flavour and lots of crunch. Cauliflower is delicious served raw like this as it has a slightly mustardy flavour and soaks up the flavours of the dressing really well.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower and radish salad

Warm lentil and beetroot salad

Warm lentil and beetroot salad

Tender lentils. earthy beetroot and salty goat's cheese ensure this salad is filling and flavoursome.

Get the recipe: Warm lentil and beetroot salad

Griddled chicken salad

Griddled chicken salad

You won't go hungry with this protein and carb-packed griddled chicken salad- made extra delicious with the addition of a white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard dressing.

Get the recipe: Griddled chicken salad

Griddled asparagus, sweet potato and poached egg salad

Griddled asparagus, sweet potato and poached egg salad

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By swapping normal potatoes for sweet potatoes, this clever little recipe makes sure you get plenty of veg while still filling you up. Drizzle with your favourite dressing for a delicious meal in minutes.

Get the recipe: Griddled asparagus, sweet potato and poached egg salad

Couscous chickpea and salmon salad

Couscous chickpea and salmon salad

Omega-3-rich salmon and protein-packed chickpeas make this couscous, chickpea and salmon salad both nutritious and delicious.

Get the recipe: Couscous, chickpea and salmon salad

Steak, chicory and orange salad

Steak, chicory and orange salad

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Juicy sirloin steak, crunchy chicory and a hit from zesty oranges make this a meal a delicious treat, what's more it can be made in under half an hour!

Get the recipe: Steak, chicory and orange salad

Roasted squash & goat's cheese salad

Roasted squash & goat's cheese salad

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This roasted butternut squash recipe is sure to become a firm favourite once you've tried it. Sweet squash, salty goat's cheese and earthy walnuts make this a filling and tasty dish that will fill your tummy up nicely. Plus, it shows you how to make soy balsamic dressing from scratch.

Get the recipe: Roasted squash & goat's cheese salad

Crushed new potatoes and shoots

Crushed new potatoes and shoots

Sometimes you just need a good plate of carbs to keep you going. Lighten the load a little with this tasty new potato recipe with fresh leaves and indulgent boiled quail eggs.

Get the recipe: Crushed new potatoes and shoots

Goat's cheese and tomato bulgur wheat salad

Goat's cheese and tomato bulgur wheat salad

This salad is a classic combination of goat's cheese andjuicy tomatoes. Bulgur wheat is hearty and nutritious if you are looking foralternative fillers for your salads.

Get the recipe: Goat's cheese and tomato bulgur wheat salad

Tuna and noodle salad

Tuna and noodle salad

Ditch the usual pasta in favour of noodles in this Asian-inspired noodle salad using tuna. Roasted peanuts add crunch and a quick drizzle of teriyaki sauce makes this dish really moreish.

Get the recipe: Tuna and noodle salad

Spiced Thai beef salad with wild rice

Spiced Thai beef salad with wild rice

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

Spice up your salad with this filling spiced Thai beef salad with wild rice. Taken from the Slimming World diet, this healthy, low-fat dish is packed full of meaty flavour.

Get the recipe: Spiced Thai beef salad with wild rice

Beef and beetroot salad

Beef and beetroot salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

Beef and beetroot salad combines sweet, juicy beetroot and hearty rump steak together to make a delicious filling salad. It takes no time at all to make and contains less than 10g of fat per portion.

Get the recipe: Beef and beetroot salad

Tuna and brown rice salad

Tuna and brown rice salad

This tuna and brown rice saladis quick, easy and packed full of fishy flavour. With both protein and carbs you'll have plenty of energy to get you through your busy day.

Get the recipe: Tuna and brown rice salad

Sausage and warm white bean salad

Sausage and warm white bean salad

Super speedy and twice as filling as a regular salad this sausage and warm white bean salad is the perfect mid-week meal. With healthy beans, succulent sausages and sun blushed tomatoes, this salad is bursting with flavour.

Get the recipe: Sausage and warm white bean salad

Avocado and brown rice salad

Avocado and brown rice salad

Full of healthy fats, avocado makes a great addition to any salad to ensure it fills you up. We love this recipe with brown rice as a healthy lunch which will leave you feeling refreshed instead of too full.

Get the recipe: Avocado and brown rice salad

Squash, broccoli & barley salad

Butternut, barley and broccoli salad

Hearty, filling and only 4.5g of fat, this butternut squash, broccoli and barley salad is dressed with honey and mustard.

Get the recipe: Butternut squash, broccoli and barley salad

Asparagus and steak salad

Griddled asparagus and fillet steak salad

Griddled asparagus and tender fillet steak are a tasty combo in this filling, asparagus and steak salad topped with horseradish dressing.

Get the recipe: Asparagus and steak salad

Pan fried lamb with giant couscous salad

Pan fried lamb with giant couscous salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

This lamb couscous salad is delicious and really easy to make. Ready in only 20 mins, this salad combines giant grains of couscous with tender cuts of lamb. The lamb will provide the protein keeping you fuller for longer and the couscous will make sure the snacking is kept at bay during the day.

Get the recipe: Pan-fried lamb with giant couscous salad

Sausage, roast new potato and tomato salad

Sausage, roast new potato and tomato salad

If you think that salads have to be boring diet food then think again. Meaty sausages, fresh tomatoes and crisp baby potatoes make this more of a hearty meal than a skinny salad.

Get the recipe: Sausage, roast new potato and tomato salad

Warm radish, halloumi, potato and cherry tomato salad

Warm radish, halloumi, potato and cherry tomato salad

If you fancy having a warm salad this radish, halloumi, potato and cherry tomato salad is the perfect choice. It only takes 30 mins to make and is packed full of flavour thanks to the soft potatoes, salty halloumi and spicy mustard.

Get the recipe: Radish, halloumi, potato and cherry tomato salad

Warm potato salad with smoked mackerel

Warm potato salad with smoked mackerel

This warming potato salad with smoked mackerel is bursting with omega-3 and is sure to keep you full until dinner time.

Get the recipe: Warm potato salad with smoked mackerel

Pasta, potato and bacon salad

Pasta, potato and bacon salad

This pasta, potato and bacon salad is quick and easy-to-make. The crunchy spring onions bring plenty of flavour to the pasta and the bacon brings a lovely salty twist. Enjoy warm or allow to chill for packed lunches.

Get the recipe: Pasta, potato and bacon salad

Mixed bean salad with mustard dressing

Mixed bean salad with mustard dressing

This delicious mixed bean salad with mustard dressing is so easy to make and filling too. The beans will keep you full until it's time for dinner.

Get the recipe: Mixed bean salad with mustard dressing

Seafood pasta salad

Seafood pasta salad

Buy a medley of protein-packed prawns, mussels and squid and mix with your favourite pasta in this colourful seafood pasta salad.

Get the recipe: Seafood pasta salad.

Avocado pasta salad

Avocado and pasta salad

Garlic, red chilli, onion, mustard, basil and vinegar are just some of the flavours that make this avocado pasta salad so tangy and tasty.

Get the recipe: Avocado pasta salad

New potato and asparagus salad

New potato and asparagus salad

This green salad, which includes broad beans, mint and asparagus, is

made extra filling with a few new potatoes and extra tasty with a

sprinkling of goat's cheese.

Get the recipe: New potato and asparagus salad

Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies