10 Hearty Main Dish Salad Recipes

A main dish salad makes a fabulous meal on a warm summer day or evening. Many of these salads don't require cooking, and they are all hearty and delicious. Prepare one of these salads for a luncheon or dinner, or take one along to a potluck or picnic.

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Lobster and Macaroni Salad

Diana Rattray

This salad takes freshly boiled lobster to another level. The lobster and macaroni salad is extraordinary and will definitely stand out at your next potluck. It's an excellent choice for a hot summer evening.
02 of 10

Chopped Salad With Ham and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Michelle Tran / EyeEm / Getty Images

This interesting and versatile salad is made with a variety of ingredients: beans, cheese, nuts, ham, tomatoes, cucumbers, and romaine lettuce are a few worth noting. Serve this hearty chopped salad with ham and balsamic vinaigrette on tortilla chips and dress with the homemade vinaigrette or your own favorite.
03 of 10

Tuna Salad With Dijon Dressing

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

This Nicoise-style tuna salad with dijon dressing is finished with a tangy Dijon dressing. The combination of tuna with vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and olives is classic. We love this salad with fresh grilled tuna, but premium packaged cooked tuna or good quality canned tuna may be used.
04 of 10

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Leah Maroney

Cook an entire salad on the grill—including the lettuce. Grilling the Romaine gives it a nutty flavor, which complements the grilled shrimp and charred corn beautifully. The salad is drizzled with a homemade avocado lime dressing and sprinkled with cotija cheese.

Continue to 5 of 10 below.
05 of 10

Tarragon Chicken Salad

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Serve this tarragon chicken salad in a sandwich or on a bed of greens and you'll have a delicious, light meal. The recipe combines shredded chicken with a creamy homemade dressing seasoned with celery, Dijon mustard, lemon, onion, and tarragon. While you can roast chicken specifically for it, the salad is a perfect use for leftover chicken, too.
06 of 10

Taco Salad With Dressing

Diana Rattray

This taco salad with dressing starts with seasoned, browned ground beef. The beef is arranged on plates with lettuce leaves and tortilla chips along with fresh vegetables, olives, and a homemade Southwestern-style dressing. The tortilla chips can be homemade or store-bought. Either way, the salad will be a big hit with your family!
07 of 10

Shrimp Salad With Rice

Photo: Diana Rattray

This easy shrimp salad with rice is a full meal in one cool dish. The rice, peas, and shrimp are the perfect combination of flavors, all brought together with a simple mayonnaise dressing.
08 of 10

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Anita Schecter

A balanced combination of chickpeas, crisp fresh veggies, feta cheese, and lemon dressing, this Mediterranean chickpea salad is vegetarian but filling.

Continue to 9 of 10 below.
09 of 10

Lobster Salad

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

This classic lobster salad is great for a special occasion when you want to treat yourself or your family. Serve the lobster salad on a bed of lettuce with slices of avocado or fresh tomato wedges.
10 of 10

Turkey Salad With Red Grapes

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Serve this extraordinary turkey salad with red grapes on mixed greens with fresh sliced vegetables for a cool and delicious supper salad. We love this salad with slices of avocado and tomato wedges.