8 Hearty Salads to Span the Holidays

With Cookies on the horizon...

This holidays are mega-sandwiched together this year and I feel like our household went straight from turkey and gravy to cookies and candy.

My children couldn’t be happier.

But, for me, I need a little reset in these weeks between the two holidays.

Assuming you are in a similar boat, I thought I would put together a few hearty salads that are always on my menu when I need something healthy!

These recipes all have some similar characteristics:

• High in protein and filling.

• Big flavors that aren’t boring (no lettuce and carrot with ranch situation - not that there’s anything wrong with that).

• Keeps decently so you can get more than one meal out of the salad.

Let’s dive in!

Crunchy Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing

This salad is my dream lunch salad. Crunchy chickpeas and herbs with some soft cheese and a tangy, creamy tahini dressing. You can 100% make a meal out of this salad, piled high in a bowl, or portion it out for lunch!

Easy Falafel Salad

Keeping on the chickpea track, this falafel salad has the addition of bulgar and lots of crunchy vegetables. It’s all the favorite falafel flavors but without the frying and you can scoop it into a bowl with some pita chips on the side and dinner is done!

Bulgar Salad with Jammy Eggs

While you don’t have to add the eggs to this bulgar salad, they take the salad two levels higher in both protein and flavor. They are my favorite part of the salad and it’s not even close! The key to this salad is to make sure you don’t overcook the bulgar and use lots of fresh herbs.

Fall Crunch Salad

There are so many delicious crunchy ingredients in the fall and winter. They are all in this wonderful salad. This is a very hearty side salad that you could serve with a protein of your choice, or you can round out the salad with an egg or something and make a full meal out of it.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

For the broccoli lovers out there, this is your salad. Lots of broccoli, both the stalks and florets, and a light, herb-packed dressing with some cheese and other crunchy ingredients. This is a veg-packed salad, but is also SO delicious.

Roasted Beet Salad with Grapefruit

I like to use golden beets for this salad so you can avoid the red staining, but the real delicious part of this hearty salad is the grapefruit vinaigrette. It’s light, tangy, and perfect with goat cheese.

Chicken Tortilla Salad

Okay. Time for a full meal in salad form. This chicken taco salad has Chipotle vibes to it but in homemade form. It’s spicy, creamy, crunchy, and wonderful meal for lunch or dinner. Probably my wife’s favorite salad on this list!

Classic Nicoise Salad

A classic French salad that does require cooking a few different pieces, but is worth the work and is a super healthy meal. Plus, it feels kind of fancy! I’ll sometimes make this salad for a date night meal!

Okay! Hope this list helps you weather the holiday gap.

Leave a comment if you try anything on this list (or have other ideas)!