A light meal can be great, but sometimes you need something with a little more staying power. These 11 hearty bowls and salads are built to satisfy, loaded with proteins, grains, and bold flavors that keep you full. Whether you’re craving something warm and cozy or crisp and fresh, these meals deliver substance without sacrificing flavor.
Grilled Corn & Steak Salad
This Grilled Corn & Steak Salad is a hearty yet fresh main dish that’s perfect for summer nights. It combines smoky grilled steak, charred corn, crisp greens, and creamy blue cheese, all brought together with a tangy champagne vinaigrette. It’s the kind of salad that eats like a meal.
Easy Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad
This Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad is a fantastic low-carb lunch with plenty of crisp fresh veggies, tender shrimp, and a light dressing packed with healthy fats. The cilantro lime dressing really brightens up the salad and keeps it fresh for a day or two if you want to make the salad in advance for lunches.
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. This dish combines tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, and a savory homemade sesame dressing that you will love.
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with Avocado & Bacon
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with Avocado and Bacon is both satisfying and packed with flavor. The sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing pairs beautifully with tender chicken, while creamy avocado and crispy bacon bring richness and texture to the dish.
Grilled Shrimp, Corn & Avocado Bowl
This Grilled Shrimp, Corn & Avocado Bowl is a quick and flavor-packed meal that makes a perfect summer lunch or light dinner. With juicy grilled shrimp, charred corn, creamy avocado, and a spicy lime mayo, it brings together everything you want in a satisfying bowl.
Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad
Lunch for two has never been easier to whip up than with this cranberry chicken salad. You can serve it on any type of bread you have, a bagel, croissant, or even on top a bed of lettuce or some cucumbers.
Salmon Sushi Bowls
These Salmon Sushi Bowls are both healthy and irresistibly tasty. The avocado and salmon, mixed with delicious sushi rice is a huge hit.
Cobb Salad with Penne Pasta
This Cobb Salad Recipe uses pasta instead of lettuce, then it’s piled high with all the delicious cobb salad ingredients we love, like chicken, avocado, and bacon. All the classic flavors of a cobb salad but replace the lettuce with penne pasta.
Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls
Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls are a fusion of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors that come together in a satisfying and colorful meal. This recipe features crispy shrimp tossed in a zesty Bang Bang sauce, made famous by Bonefish Grill, nestled on a bed of fluffy rice and topped with fresh, vibrant vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch, these bowls are as easy to make as they are delicious.
Vietnamese Pork Bowls
These Vietnamese Pork Bowls feature caramelized pork and an array of crisp and refreshing vegetables in one satisfying bowl. This bowl has lots of layers and depth of flavor. The pork is marinated in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, honey and garlic, then caramelized at high heat so the flavors deepen as the pork becomes irresistible crunchy. The pickled carrots and daikon add acidity and texture.
Teriyaki Beef Bowl
This Teriyaki Beef Bowl is a sweet and savory meal, with tender beef and fresh vegetables served over rice or cauliflower rice. The rich flavor of the teriyaki sauce brings the whole dish together and it’s packed with nutrients to fuel your day.
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.