25 Sensational Salads Without Lettuce (2024)

Whether your favorite greens are unavailable, you're not a fan of lettuce, or simply want to try some new dishes, these vegan salad recipes without lettuce showcase a wide variety of options. And they all can be prepared gluten-free.

Enjoy them for easy lunch options or serve a few together for dinner. They also make fantastic side dish options and are perfect for potlucks and barbecues.

Why you'll love these recipes

• They are full of flavor and easy to prepare.
• They feature a variety of ingredients including plant-based proteins, whole grains, and seasonal produce.
• They are a great way to enjoy salads without relying on lettuce or other leafy greens.

Do salads have to have lettuce?

Not at all! Salads can contain a wide assortment of ingredients including raw or cooked vegetables, proteins, and grains served with a dressing. Many salads are made without lettuce or other leafy greens like spinach, kale, or cabbage.

What makes a salad a salad?

Salads can contain all different ingredients and be made with or without lettuce. The one ingredient that typically makes a salad a salad is a dressing.

What are the major salad categories?

Salads can generally be classified into 5 main categories: green salads; vegetable salads; pasta, grain, and bean/legume salads; salads with meat/seafood; and fruit salads.

Mediterranean Sourdough Panzanella Bread Salad features ripe summer tomatoes and basil in a delicious vinaigrette. Instead of using stale bread, this version uses fresh cubes that are dried in the oven.

If you enjoy the flavors of Greek salad, you'll love thisVegan Greek Millet Saladfeaturing gluten-free whole grains and dairy-free tofu feta. It's made with the usual tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and Kalamata olives, but adds healthful millet to the mix.

It's easy to turn leftover rice into a flavorful Brown Rice Salad when you combine it with your favorite vegetables, beans, and seasonings. This recipe includes variations that take inspiration from Mediterranean, Mexican, and Indian flavors.

Change up your usual pasta salad routine with this MediterraneanVegan Orzo Saladfeaturing tofu feta, chickpeas, and Kalamata olives. It comes together quickly in 30 minutes if you make the tofu feta in advance. Or you can take a shortcut and use store bought feta cheese instead.

If you're a fan of basil, you will love this easy Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad made with chickpeas, tomatoes and olives. The vegan pesto sauce is the perfect dressing since it's not only bright and herby, it keeps the noodles from drying out.

Marinated Artichoke Hearts Pasta Salad couldn't be easier to make since the marinade from the bottle of artichoke hearts also serves as the flavorful dressing. Add your favorite veggies for a satisfying side dish or meal.

Loaded with fresh parsley, mint, and lemon, this delicious Herbed Quinoa Salad is inspired by Tabbouleh but features quinoa in place of bulgur wheat. It's easy to make in under 30 minutes with only 7 ingredients.

While many potato salads call for mayonnaise, this Greek Potato Salad is made with small red potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and fresh oregano. If you love lemon, this is the potato salad for you.

You won't miss the mayo when you try this vegan Broccoli Grape Salad with apples and cranberries tossed in a sweet Dijon mustard vinaigrette. It's easy to make in 15 minutes and can be enjoyed immediately or prepped in advance.

Crunchy Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad combines raw vegetables and herbs with a zesty dressing. You don't even need to cook the cauliflower.

It may seem like an unlikely combination of ingredients, but Watermelon Tomato Salad with fresh basil is refreshing and delicious. Balsamic vinegar is the magic ingredient that brings it all together.

Featuring cherry tomatoes and a quick Mediterranean cilantro sauce, this mouthwatering Vegan Green Bean Salad is easy to prepare in 20 minutes. It's incredibly flavorful and only requires 6 ingredients to make.

Mediterranean Vegan Corn Salad is loaded with flavor from sweet onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh basil. You can make it with fresh grilled corn or defrosted frozen corn.

This classic Tomato and Red Onion Salad is lightly seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, and fresh basil. It's ready to eat in 15 minutes using only 5 ingredients.

Bursting with flavor from fresh herbs, cinnamon, and cumin, Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad is easy to make in 15 minutes. And you can make it advance for make-ahead meals.

5-ingredientAsparagus Avocado Saladunites crisp asparagus and creamy avocado with lime and fresh mint in a delightful combination of flavors and textures. It's a unique way to enjoy these two veggies together.

Bell peppers often play a supporting roll in recipes, but here they take center stage in this delicious Green Pepper Salad. It's also features tomatoes, green olives, and fresh herbs.

Refreshing Hearts of Palm Salad features avocado, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes in a light lemony dressing. It's easy to make in 15 minutes.

Watermelon Blueberry Salad gets an extra flavor boost from lime juice, fresh mint, and a touch of pure maple syrup.

Chickpea Cucumber Salad features tomatoes, red onion, and black olives in a olive oil and lemon vinaigrette. This Mediterranean salad is ready to eat in 15 minutes.

Quick and flavorful Mediterranean Cannellini Bean Saladfeatures sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives in a light dressing. It's wonderful on its own or stuffed into a pita pocket.

Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad is loaded with protein thanks to tangy marinated feta-style tofu. Prepare the tofu in advance for maximum flavor.

Italian White Bean Salad features tender cannellini beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet basil. It's easy to make in 15 minutes with only 6 ingredients.

Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Salad is hearty and full of protein from pine nuts and chickpeas. If you don't have a grill, you can roast the eggplant in the oven or in an air fryer.

Japanese-inspired Silken Tofu Saladis a delicious combination of tofu, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado with a light flavorful dressing. The soft tofu doesn't need pressing or cooking, making this a really quick dish to prepare.

Tropical-inspiredMango Chickpea Saladfeatures sweet-tart mango and creamy avocado in a light, yet flavorful, dressing. It may seem like an unusual combination, but once you try it, it's sure to become a favorite.

Homemade or store bought pesto sauce is the perfect tangy dressing for this quick Mediterranean Vegan Pesto Chickpea Salad. It's made with summery tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper for a refreshing combination of flavors and textures.