Kid Food

10 High-Protein, High-Fiber No Lettuce Lunch Salads (They’re Perfect for Summer)

Alexandra FosterEditorial Assistant
Alexandra FosterEditorial Assistant
As the Editorial Assistant for The Kitchn, I cover groceries, news, trends, people, and culture. I have 5 years of experience in communications and an MA in Food Studies from NYU. I previously worked at Food Network, and for nonprofits advocating for food justice.
published Aug 21, 2026
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A colorful salad with cherry tomatoes, green bell peppers, cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese, and white beans, garnished with herbs.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Despite how trendy protein and fiber have become recently, these staple nutrients have always been part of a balanced diet. But getting enough of both doesn’t have to be complicated or overly fussy — and you don’t need any special drinks, bars, or snacks either

Enter: these delicious salads. Not only are they packed with plenty of protein and fiber, thanks to ingredients like veggies and canned beans, but they also don’t require any lettuce at all. That means you can make them on Sunday and enjoy them all week long without them getting soggy. From the viral dense bean salad to hearty quinoa salad, here are 10 of our favorite high-protein, high-fiber salad recipes that are sure to keep you full. 

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Dense Bean Salad

This TikTok-famous salad with black beans, chopped vegetables, and a citrusy jalapeño dressing gets even better as it sits, so it's the perfect make-ahead meal.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Greek Bean Salad

Canned beans get added to a classic Greek salad to up the protein while maintaining those flavors you know and love. (We’re really just here for the feta.)

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: Brett Regot/Kitchn
Quinoa Salad

Make this easy protein-packed salad filled with quinoa, fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheese at the beginning of the week and enjoy it all week long.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park
Three-Bean Salad

This classic summer side is made with a trio of beans and crunchy celery tossed in a tangy dressing. The best part is you can throw it together in just 30 minutes, and it’ll last for up to 5 days in the fridge.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Chickpea and Black Bean Salad

Make the most of pantry staples with this easy, Tex-Mex-inspired bean salad. Plus, it's loaded with avocado, red onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and a zippy cumin-lime dressing.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Cucumber Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing

Between the crunchy cucumbers, creamy avocado, and tender edamame, this salad has the textural variety to keep you coming back for another forkful.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Italian Grinder Bean Salad

Deconstruct the classic deli staple into a protein-packed bean salad, which gives you all the joys of the sandwich with no soggy bread in sight. 

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Spencer Richards
Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy pasta salad combines two potluck favorites into the ultimate summer dish. Every forkful is packed with color, flavor, and texture, which makes it the perfect potluck dish.

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Credit: Shelly Westerhausen/Kitchn
Mediterranean-Style Chopped Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette

This vegetarian chopped salad — packed with farro, chickpeas, and plenty of fresh veggies — gets even better as it sits. Loaded with protein, its the ultimate make-ahead, no-wilt, not-sad, never-boring salad.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Anna Billingskog
Greek Chickpea Salad

A lemon-oregano dressing coats every bite of this no-lettuce chickpea salad with punchy, bright flavors. It'll easily become a top requested dish among your family and friends.

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This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 10 High-Protein, High-Fiber No Lettuce Salads You’ll Make for Lunch All Summer

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