26 grain salads to try when your usual lunch needs a change
Grain salads are a nice break from the usual bowl of greens, especially when you want something that feels a little more substantial. These recipes bring together grains, vegetables, herbs, dressings, and plenty of different flavors. They work for lunch, dinner, potlucks, or whenever you need a break from sandwiches.
Wild Rice Apple Pecan Salad
This wild rice salad with apples and cranberries works as a hearty side or a complete plant-based meal. Packed with nutty wild rice, crisp Granny Smith apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans, this salad delivers amazing texture and flavor in every bite. Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Apple Pecan Salad
Quinoa Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
This quinoa salad is crunchy and colorful with a creamy, tangy peanut dressing. It’s great as-is or easy to turn into a full meal with grilled chicken. Get the recipe: Quinoa Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
Quinoa Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing
This tropical quinoa salad is a fresh, meatless option that’s high in fiber and works well as a main or side. The caramelized pineapple salsa and coconut lime dressing add a mix of sweet and citrus, and the jicama brings a good crunch. Get the recipe: Quinoa Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing
Koginut Squash Bowl
This squash salad mixes pears, walnuts, toasted buckwheat, wild rice, fennel, goat cheese, and greens in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. It’s basically peak fall on a plate and tastes as good as it looks. Get the recipe: Koginut Squash Bowl
Greek Orzo Salad
This Greek orzo pasta salad earns recipe requests at every summer gathering. Loaded with crisp cucumbers, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, and fresh dill in a red wine vinaigrette, it’s bright, fresh, and holds up well for potlucks, picnics, and cookouts. Get the recipe: Greek Orzo Salad
Crispy Rice Salad
Crispy rice salad is blowing up on TikTok, and it’s easy to see why. Made with leftover rice, fresh veggies, and simple Asian-inspired seasonings, it works as a light meal, side dish, or a main with added protein. Get the recipe: Crispy Rice Salad
Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
This pesto orzo salad pulls its weight whether it’s lunch, meal prep, or hanging out next to something grilled. It’s loaded with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta, and it comes together fast. Get the recipe: Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
Chili Lime Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
This quinoa salad with massaged kale and roasted chickpeas is a high-fiber option that works well for lunch, a light dinner, or as a side dish at a potluck. The chili lime dressing ties it all together and holds up well if made ahead. Get the recipe: Chili Lime Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
Wild Rice Salad with Beets and Lemon Ricotta
This wild rice salad is colorful, fresh, and packed with beets, blood oranges, wild rice, and greens. Top it with whipped lemon ricotta for a healthy, delicious side or light meal. Get the recipe: Wild Rice Salad with Beets and Lemon Ricotta
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This quinoa chickpea salad is a fresh, make-ahead meal that stays great all week. It’s finished with a creamy lemon tahini dressing that pulls everything together. Get the recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
This recipe will really boost your salad game. A mouthwatering quinoa Tabbouleh salad that is packed with flavor and texture from the quinoa, crunchy veggies, and fragrant herbs. It’s also a nutrition powerhouse. Get the recipe: Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Tuna and Rice Salad
This tuna and rice salad is your go-to for a light but satisfying meal. Packed with flavorful tuna, fluffy rice, and fresh veggies, it’s a quick and easy dish that works for lunch, dinner, or whenever hunger strikes. Get the recipe: Rice Salad with Tuna
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Fresh Mediterranean orzo salad with a bright Greek oregano dressing, orzo pasta, crisp cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta, and pepperoncini. This Greek-inspired pasta salad is colorful, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep and lunch salads. Get the recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Crispy Rice Sushi Tuna Salad
Crispy rice sushi tuna salad is all about bold texture and flavor, with crunchy baked rice, creamy avocado, and a punchy sesame-soy dressing. The tuna, chili oil, and fresh veggies make it a high-protein lunch that actually hits. Get the recipe: Crispy Rice Sushi Tuna Salad
Lemon Basil Chicken and Rice Salad
Such a fresh and tasty way to use a bounty of fresh basil. This salad features cooked and cooled rice, fresh lemon and tender chicken, and it totally eats like a meal. Get the recipe: Lemon Basil Chicken Rice Salad
Farro and Apple Arugula Salad
This farro salad is fresh, versatile, and packed with crisp arugula, chewy farro, sweet apples, and shaved Parmesan. Tossed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a nutritious main or a hearty side. Get the recipe: Farro and Apple Arugula Salad
Cowboy Caviar Salad
Transform Texas caviar into a nutritious cowboy caviar salad. With rice, black beans, corn, creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, and a sweet and spicy chili maple dressing, it’s the ultimate summer side dish. Get the recipe: Cowboy Caviar Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
This butternut squash quinoa salad is a hearty recipe that the whole family can enjoy. It’s full of nutrients and keeps you feeling full, making it a solid lunch choice. The recipe is vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, and free of refined sugar. Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Couscous Salad with Cherry Tomato Dressing
This couscous salad is vibrant, flavorful, and full of satisfying textures. It’s a make-ahead, good-for-you dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or lunch boxes. Get the recipe: Couscous Salad with Cherry Tomato Dressing
Southwest Grain Bowl With Avocado
This Southwest grain bowl is fresh, hearty, and full of good stuff like brown rice, quinoa, avocado, and veggies with a sweet and spicy dressing. It’s perfect for meal prep and makes for a tasty lunch you’ll want to eat all week. Get the recipe: Southwest Grain Bowl With Avocado
Fruit and Nut Salad
This fruit and nut salad has a really great texture with tons of delicious flavours. It features dried fruit and toasted nuts mixed with whole grain rice and a lovely, fresh dressing. It is nicknamed ‘trail mix salad’. Get the recipe: Fruit and Nut Salad
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
This Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad keeps things simple but still delivers on flavor, with whole grain couscous giving it a bit more substance. The lemony dressing keeps people going back for another bite. Get the recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Canned Salmon Over Rice
When it comes to quick and easy recipes, it doesn’t get much better than this canned salmon over rice. With a few simple ingredients, it puts your can of salmon and leftover rice to good use. Get the recipe: Canned Salmon Over Rice
Orzo Pasta Salad
This orzo salad combines tender orzo pasta with fresh greens, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs in a tangy red wine vinegar dressing. It’s a light and refreshing option for lunch, a side dish, or a summer gathering. Get the recipe: Orzo Pasta Salad
Quinoa Caprese Salad
This easy quinoa Caprese salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in no time. With quinoa, tomatoes, and mozzarella, it’s a nutritious, gluten-free twist on the classic Caprese salad. Get the recipe: Easy Quinoa Caprese Salad
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
This Moroccan-spiced roasted vegetable salad features butternut squash, apples, and pomegranate. This warm quinoa salad is a tasty lunch, side dish, or vegetarian main. Get the recipe: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad