Lunch salads make an easy and healthy lunch option that won’t put any unnecessary strain on your body or wallet. Lunch salads can be customized according to individual taste – be it light and refreshing or heartier and satisfying; there’s sure to be one out there that suits everyone!
We present some delicious yet easy lunch salad recipes here for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends alike, making these portable salads great to take along when traveling for business meetings or leisurely brunch.
Prawn Salad
Prawn salad is a dish that consists of cooked prawns, usually peeled and deveined, mixed with various ingredients such as lettuce, avocado, cucumber, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, etc. Prawn salad can be served as a starter, a main course, or a side dish. There are many variations of prawn salad, depending on the cuisine and personal preference.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cooked and chilled prawns
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the prawns, celery, red onion, cucumber, and avocado.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Zaalouk Salad
Zaalouk is a delicious Moroccan dish that consists of cooked eggplants and tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and spices. It is usually eaten as a dip or a salad with bread. Zaalouk has a rich and smoky flavor and can be served hot or cold.
Ingredients:
- 1 eggplant, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the eggplant and onion to the skillet and cook until softened about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until the eggplant is tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro and mint.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Turkish Salad
Turkish salad is a term that can refer to different types of salads that are popular in Türkiye and other parts of the Middle East. Some common ingredients in Turkish salads are tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, parsley, mint, lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac. Some Turkish salads also include cheese, olives, nuts, or meat.
Ingredients:
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the tomato, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
La Scala Chopped Salad
La Scala Chopped Salad is a famous salad recipe that was created by Jean Leon, the owner of La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. The salad is popular among celebrities, such as the Kardashians, who often order it from the restaurant or make it at home. The salad consists of iceberg and romaine lettuce, salami, mozzarella cheese, garbanzo beans, and a mustard-based dressing. It is a simple but flavorful salad that can be easily customized with different ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped salami
- 1 cup chopped mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup marinated garbanzo beans
- 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, sliced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, salami, mozzarella cheese, garbanzo beans, sundried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Arabic Salad / Jerusalem Salad
Arabic salad is a term that refers to various types of salads that are popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. Arabic salads are usually made with fresh vegetables, herbs, spices, and dressings that give them a distinctive flavor and texture. Some common ingredients in Arabic salads are tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, mint, lemon, olive oil, and sumac. Some Arabic salads also include cheese, bread, nuts, or meat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, tomato, onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Lunch Salad Tips
Use fresh and seasonal ingredients whenever possible for optimal results. Don’t be afraid to experiment with various flavors and textures! For best results when serving salad ahead of time, dress it only after plating it; this will prevent its greens from wilting prematurely.
Serve your salad with protein such as chicken, fish, or tofu as the main attraction. When packing it for lunch, be sure to include an individual dressing container!
Lunch salads are an easy, tasty, and convenient way to incorporate fruits and veggies into your daily diet. Plus, there are so many tasty salad recipes out there – one is sure to suit everyone! For quick lunch solutions, check out one of these salad recipes today. Try topping it off with a sprinkle of nuts, seeds, or herbs that add crunch as well as extra taste! It will certainly elevate the experience!