Hi Reader,

When it's hot outside, I want meals that don't require turning on the oven, and also make me feel full and satisfied after eating.

Enter: the big, hearty salad.

These are the kinds of salads that go way beyond lettuce with dressing. They're packed with beans, grains, colorful veggies, and flavorful toppings to keep things interesting.

Below are a few of my go-to vegetarian salads that are hearty and satisfying enough to be a complete meal. These salads are colorful and fresh, but also built with enough protein, fiber, and fat to keep you going.

• ​Summer Strawberry Salad — Juicy strawberries, creamy mozzarella, and chickpeas tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing. Fresh basil pulls it all together for a fresh, satisfying salad that's ready in five minutes.
• ​Edamame Crunch Salad — This salad is all about bold flavor and texture. Crisp cabbage, carrots, and protein packed edamame, quinoa, and peanuts tossed in a creamy, zesty peanut dressing. Great for meal prep.
• ​Mediterranean Lentil Salad — A protein-packed salad with lentils, tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and plenty of fresh herbs. It's simple, flavorful—and also one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
• ​Pearl Couscous Salad — Fluffy pearl couscous meets hearty chickpeas, sweet golden raisins, and flavorful spices in this one-pot, 20-minute meal. Serve it warm or chilled. It's delicious both ways.
• ​Forbidden Black Rice Salad — Nutty black rice, sweet mango, red pepper, and crunchy peanuts tossed in a sesame-lime vinaigrette. This vibrant salad is just the thing when you want something simple and satisfying for a weeknight dinner.

If you're looking for more ideas, check out my Filling Vegetarian Salads roundup.

Warmly,
Stephanie

P.S. In case you missed it, I also published a collection of High-Protein Vegetarian Meals last month. You can find even more satisfying, plant-forward meals there!

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