Recipe Details
If your idea of a salad starts and ends with a bowl full of romaine or iceberg lettuce, it’s time to rethink everything! From classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern staples like fattoush and tabbouleh to hearty grain-based bowls packed with rice and quinoa, salads can be so much more than just plain leafy lettuce. Whether you’re hunting for a fresh new side to pair with weeknight dinner or a filling, standalone main dish, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve rounded up 24 of our all-time favorite lettuce-free salad recipes to shake up your regular meal routine.
01 of 24
Tabbouleh
Contributor: Scotdog
Tabbouleh is a bright, refreshing classic salad built from finely chopped parsley, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and nutty bulgur wheat. Bright lemon juice adds zesty tang, while fresh mint delivers an invigorating pop of clean herbal flavor.
Allrecipes community member Rochelle raves: “This salad is incredible, I’m totally obsessed with it. It comes together quickly and easily, and it’s fully vegan. I especially love the satisfying crunch from the cucumber.”
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02 of 24
Brown Rice Belgian Endive Salad
The hearty addition of cooked brown rice elevates this lettuce-free salad from a simple side dish to a satisfying full meal. Belgian endives are not only crisp and subtly bitter in the best way, they’re also packed with fiber and a great plant-based source of iron.
Reviewer lisaod shares: “I love the great crunch and the sharp, pleasant bite from the vinegar here.”
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03 of 24
Chickpea, Artichoke, and Feta Salad
Contributor: Christina
Created by Allrecipes member KellyJeanne, this fresh salad pairs hearty chickpeas with briny artichokes and tangy feta, using ingredients that stay good for weeks in your pantry or refrigerator. It boasts a perfectly balanced flavor profile that blends earthy, sharp, salty, and bright green notes all in one bite.
Packed with plant-based protein from chickpeas, this lettuce-free salad is substantial enough to enjoy as a full meal on its own.
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04 of 24
Israeli Tomato and Cucumber Salad
A staple on menus at Mediterranean restaurants around the world, this ultra-refreshing salad is shockingly delicious despite its ultra-simple ingredient list. Fresh crisp cucumber, ripe tomatoes, sweet red bell pepper, and sharp red onion get tossed with fresh herbs and a bright lemon vinaigrette, resulting in a side dish that often steals the show at any meal.
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05 of 24
Napa Cabbage Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Allrecipes member Carol describes this dish: “This is such a tasty, crunchy napa cabbage salad, loaded with toasted ramen noodles and slivered almonds. The bowl is always scraped clean at every potluck I bring it to!”
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06 of 24
Mediterranean Three Bean Salad
Contributor: sfmom
Made entirely from shelf-stable pantry staples—kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and cannellini beans—this salad comes together in minutes and is packed with dietary fiber and B vitamins. Be sure to chill it in the fridge for a few hours before serving to let all the tangy flavors meld together perfectly.
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07 of 24
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Allrecipes member JOANN HAN raves: “Tomato and mozzarella salad served with fresh basil and a drizzle of good olive oil… there’s nothing better! It’s the perfect alternative to a standard leafy green salad, especially in summer when you can pick fresh tomatoes and basil straight from your garden.”
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08 of 24
Arabic Fattoush Salad
Contributor: Christina
Allrecipes member Sonja Taha shares: “If you’ve never cooked an Arabic dish before, this is the perfect delicious, healthy place to start.”
Fattoush is a beloved salad staple on dinner tables across the Middle East, commonly served for both lunch and dinner. While many fattoush recipes include lettuce, this version is entirely lettuce-free. Just don’t skip the crispy pita and tangy sumac—they’re two non-negotiable core ingredients for any great fattoush.
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09 of 24
Easy Quinoa Salad
Contributor: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Allrecipes member scrumdiddly describes this dish: “This quinoa salad is light, bright, and citrusy, it’s easy to pull together for a summer meal and such a fun new way to enjoy quinoa. Lime juice and cilantro give it such a refreshing kick, while quinoa and black beans make it hearty and filling enough for a full meal.”
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10 of 24
Edamame, Corn, and Black Bean Salad
Contributor: bschadwick
A bright light lime vinaigrette adds a perfect zing of acidity to this colorful, lettuce-free salad. Shelled edamame makes this dish a protein-packed option that’s still relatively low in calories.
Reviewer DONNA9197 shares: “Great flavor, easy to make ahead of time, and it’s even delicious as leftovers.”
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11 of 24
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studio
Reviewer Loulou raves after making this: “I just made this and WOW. I absolutely love it, it’s so delicious. I used sweet Vidalia onions and cherry tomatoes, and went with apple cider vinegar for the dressing— I think that’s what gives it such an amazing, bright flavor.”
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12 of 24
Bodacious Broccoli Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Crunchy, creamy, salty, and just a little sweet, this salad checks every box for a crowd-pleasing dish. Allrecipes community member Cassandra Kennedy shares: “This recipe is requested at every single one of my family gatherings. Let it be the next dish everyone begs you for!”
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13 of 24
Greek Zoodle Salad
Contributor: Kim's Cooking Now
Fresh zucchini gets transformed with a spiralizer to create this bright, vibrant lettuce-free salad. Every bite is packed with bold, Greek-inspired flavors from tangy feta, briny kalamata olives, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lemon dressing.
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14 of 24
Shoepeg Corn Salad
This rich, beautiful side dish is the perfect way to use up a big harvest of fresh summer corn. Pickled jalapeño peppers are the secret star ingredient here, adding an unexpected pop of tangy, spicy flavor that elevates the sweet corn.
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15 of 24
Zucchini Artichoke Summer Salad
This versatile salad works perfectly as either a side dish or a light main course during peak zucchini season. Tender pieces of chicken get tossed with sautéed zucchini, tangy artichoke hearts, briny olives, and rich Parmesan cheese to create a surprisingly impressive warm-weather meal.
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16 of 24
Asian Cabbage Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Humble cabbage gets a delicious, exciting upgrade with this Asian-inspired recipe. A splash of rice vinegar and a drizzle of sesame oil create bold, umami-rich flavor, while shredded carrots and crushed ramen noodles add a signature satisfying crunch.
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17 of 24
Best Bean Salad
Reviewer Paula H shares: “I’ve always loved a basic three bean salad, but this version is even better. Even though it doesn’t say this in the recipe, I’ll rinse my black and red kidney beans next time to cut down on excess can liquid that throws off the dressing balance. This is still such a great recipe.”
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18 of 24
Persian-Style Tomato Avocado Salad
Contributor: bd.weld
Bright, zesty fresh lime amplifies the natural, juicy flavors of ripe tomatoes and creamy avocado in this colorful warm-weather dish.
Allrecipes community member Chad describes it: “This is such a refreshing summer salad, and it’s far more substantial than a standard leafy green salad. It can’t be beat when you’re looking to show off the first juicy, ripe tomatoes of the season.”
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19 of 24
Chickpea Salad with Red Onion and Tomato
Contributor: Kris
It doesn’t get much simpler than this hearty, filling no-lettuce salad. Just open a can of chickpeas, chop a few fresh vegetables, and toss everything together to serve.
Reviewer naples34102 raves: “It’s simply delicious, with the perfect ratio of olive oil to lemon juice. The lemon dressing is such a refreshing change from the vinegar that’s traditionally used in these kinds of salads.”
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20 of 24
Greek Orzo Salad
Contributor: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Allrecipes community member Patrice shares: “This Greek orzo salad is such a delicious, colorful dish, loaded with artichoke hearts and tangy feta. I get asked for this recipe constantly every time I bring it to a gathering.”
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21 of 24
Elote Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Reviewer Poppe Art jokes: “Is there anything better than grilled corn? Nope. I’ll save you the search—this is the best corn salad I’ve ever made. The second time I made it, I added a few chopped jalapeños and it was even better. This recipe is so flexible—you could add all kinds of extras, like sliced grape tomatoes. I’m already getting hungry just thinking about it.”
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22 of 24
Perfect Summer Fruit Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Allrecipes member Nicole Graham Holley shares: “This fruit salad is perfect for backyard barbecues or any occasion, and there are never any leftovers! This is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes ever— the bright citrus sauce really makes it stand out. It gets even tastier the longer you let it soak in its own juicy flavors.”
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23 of 24
Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nicole Burnham describes this dish: “This ramen noodle salad is light and crunchy, and it pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken. This recipe comes from my mother-in-law, and it’s been a family favorite for decades.”
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24 of 24
Barb's Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad
Contributor: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Reviewer Amy Shoge raves: “I couldn’t stop eating this dish, I loved it that much! This is such a great base recipe because you can tweak it to fit your own taste preferences, and it turns out wonderful every single time.”
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