37 Hearty Keto Salad Recipes
Who says salad is boring? We’ve found 38 of the best Keto-friendly salad recipes that can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
From Mediterranean-inspired calamari salad to Caesar salad lettuce wraps, these recipes will encourage you to try out new ingredients and flavor combinations (preserved lemon, anyone?).
Forget those days of sad side salads, these Keto-friendly salad recipes are sure to make salad the star of the meal!
Here are just a few of the 38 Hearty Keto Salad Recipes we’ve included:
- Keto Chicken Shawarma Salad
- Simple Taco Salad
- Greek Salad with Lemon-Garlic Chicken (Contains Dairy)
- Quick And Easy Salmon Salad
- Keto Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad
- Avocado Cucumber Ginger Salad
- Lemon Black Pepper Tuna Salad
- Shrimp & Cauliflower Salad
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Meatless Keto Salads With Greens
Keto Kale and Blueberry Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: kale, blueberries, sliced almonds, red onion, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Kale salads often are naturally Keto-friendly, but who wants to eat a boring salad day after day? This flavorful recipe adds a touch of sweetness with blueberries, which are low in carbohydrates, making them an easy & sweet addition to any salad.
Arugula Strawberry Salad With Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: baby arugula, strawberries, sliced almonds, lemon juice, avocado oil, sea salt, ground pepper.
Don’t be fooled by this recipe’s simple title, this salad comes to life with the addition of a Meyer Lemon vinaigrette. Believed to be a cross between standard lemons and mandarin oranges, this sweet winter citrus has a more complex flavor than your run of the mill citrus. Use it to add a subtle sweet citrus kick to any recipe.
Swiss Chard Salad with Toasted Walnuts
– Steph Gaudreau
Ingredients: shallot, garlic, fresh rosemary, avocado oil, sea salt, black pepper, walnut, Swiss chard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar.
Walnuts are a great Keto-friendly way to boost the nutrition in any salad. Full of omega-3 fatty acids as well as antioxidants, they complement the delicious swiss chard that’s the base of the recipe. Also known as rainbow chard, the vibrant reds and yellows of the chard make this salad a feast for the eyes and the stomach.
Massaged Kale And Avocado Salad
– Savory Lotus
Photo Credit: Katja from Savory Lotus
Ingredients: bunch of kale, olive oil or avocado oil, lemon juice, sea salt, avocado, yeast, sea salt, black pepper, pumpkin seeds.
Massages aren’t just for the spa set anymore; this salad recipe asks you to gently massage your kale! Massaging actually can help release the nutrients in vegetables, making them easier to absorb by your body. Alongside a bright hit of lemon and creamy avocado, this salad is a nutritional powerhouse!
Green Salad with Italian Vinaigrette
– The Paleo Mom
Photo Credit: Sarah from The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: salad greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, etc.), radishes, red onion, cucumber, edible flowers (nasturtiums, pansies, dandelions, etc.), optional, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dried oregano leaves, dried rosemary, dried marjoram leaves, dried thyme leaves, dried savory, garlic, cracked pepper.
This basic salad recipe is endlessly versatile, perfect for swapping in seasonal ingredients whenever inspiration calls. And if you have some handy, turn this salad into a work of art by adding edible flowers like nasturtiums or dandelions.
Peas, Rhubarb and Spinach Salad
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: fresh peas, yellow onion, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, fresh rhubarb, water, Stevia glycerol or Swerve (optional), fresh baby spinach, pea shoot tops.
It’s not every day that you get to make a salad inspired by an award-winning Italian chef! Courtesy of Chef Matteo Fronduti, this salad is simple but elegant. Using a combination of rhubarb and spinach, an easy garnish of pea shoots makes this dish restaurant-quality in seconds.
Arugula, Asparagus and Avocado Breakfast Salad
– Downshiftology
Ingredients: asparagus, olive oil, salt, pepper, arugula, microgreens, avocado, eggs, sunflower seeds, lemon juice, shallot, dijon mustard.
Many folks don’t think of salad as a breakfast food, but this salad might change a few minds! A Keto-friendly version of avocado toast, this recipe puts eggs and avocado front and center over a rich bed of arugula and microgreens. Add a delicious dash of lemon and dijon mustard for flavor and this recipe soon may have you thinking up more ways to have salad for breakfast!
Chopped salad, Burma style
– I Heart Umami
Ingredients: spinach, ripe tomato, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, shallots, fried shallot oil, Red Boat fish sauce, sea salt, red chili powder or cayenne powder (optional), lime juice.
Breakfast in Myanmar can often be a savory affair, meaning salad is frequently on the menu first thing in the morning! This is a delicious and savory salad, whatever time of day you choose to eat it. Kick up the flavor by adding fish sauce as part of the dressing. Or, alternately, sub in coconut aminos for a hearty protein-rich kick.
Keto Waldorf Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: salad leaves of choice, paleo mayo, salt, black pepper, Granny Smith apple or other green apple, stalks of celery, grapes, walnuts.
The original Waldorf salad was invented back in the 19th century for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Enjoy a Keto-friendly version of this classic recipe by using a paleo mayo and toasted walnuts, which bring a hearty earthiness to the salad.
Keto Salads With Greens
15-Minute Tamari Marinated Steak Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: salad greens, red bell pepper, grape or cherry tomatoes, radishes, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, steak, gluten-free tamari soy sauce, avocado oil.
Chock full of proteins and vitamins, steak salads are among the best recipes for folks on a Keto diet. The gluten-free tamari soy sauce marinade on the steak gives a depth of flavor to the meat, complemented by the bell pepper and tomatoes in the salad.
Super Fast Paleo Smoked Salmon Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: smoked salmon, blueberries, salad greens, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
I love adding smoked salmon to my dishes whenever I can. It lends a boost of delicious protein to my meal and I don’t have to waste any time at the oven or stove! Combined with blueberries and salad greens, this recipe is a perfect weeknight meal, ready in seconds.
Paleo Quail Egg Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: quail eggs, grape tomatoes, butter lettuce, carrot, crispy bacon, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt.
If you’re tired of the same-old egg recipes, why not try swapping in quail eggs, as in this delicious recipe for egg salad? Smaller than standard chicken eggs, these delicate morsels can be tricky to cook but always worth the effort with their delicate savory flavor.
Keto Kale Caesar Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: bacon, chicken breast, coconut oil, eggs, raspberries, baby kale leaves or regular kale leaves, black pepper, Paleo mayo, anchovies, mustard, garlic, salt.
Is there anything more classic than a Caesar salad? Keep this time-honored recipe in your rotation by swapping out the croutons and mayo for nutrient-packed kale and low-carb raspberries. Just don’t forget the bacon!
5-Minute Sardines Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: sardines in olive oil or brine, salad greens, deli meat or bacon or leftover meat, olive oil, lemon juice, salt.
Tinned or canned sardines are a favorite secret ingredient of mine. They lend a burst of savoriness when added to any meal, particularly this salad. This recipe is suitable for so many diets, not just Keto but Paleo and AIP! And the best part? It’s ready in less than 5 minutes!
Keto and Low Carb Ceasar Salad (Contains Dairy)
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: egg yolk, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, anchovy filets, garlic, parmesan cheese, whole leaves of romaine hearts, pork rinds.
I love this recipe’s Mexican twist on the classic Caesar salad. The addition of pork rinds, rather than the usual bacon, gives the salad a delicious savory crunch that’s a perfect substitution for the standard carb-heavy croutons. The apple cider vinegar gives it a delicious zing, while adding some little-known health benefits of its own.
Southwest Steak Salad with Spicy Avocado Dressing
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: ribeye, salad greens, grape tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, black olives (optional), fresh cilantro, lime juice, balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar, olive oil or avocado oil, garlic, sea salt.
Although most of us Keto folks are used to adding avocado to our salads for its creamy protein-rich deliciousness, have you tried using it as part of your salad dressing? This southwest-inspired salad amps up the avocado content by using it as the basis of a spicy dressing. You’ll never miss that cream-heavy ranch after you’ve tried this version!
Simple Turkey Arugula Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: arugula leaves, turkey deli meat or turkey breast meat, raspberries or blueberries, cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice.
Great for folks on both Paleo and Keto diets, this easy salad recipe can be made is less than five minutes. I love to take it with me as an office lunch- it keeps beautifully from morning till noon!
LCHF Caesar Salad (Contains Dairy)
– Ditch The Carbs
Photo Credit: Libby from Ditch The Carbs
Ingredients: leafy greens (baby kale), spring onions, baby tomatoes, cucumber, chicken, blue cheese, parmesan, homemade mayonnaise, anchovies.
Many Caesar salad recipes can easily be made Keto-friendly with just a few easy substitutions. If you’re avoiding dairy, just skip the blue cheese and swap out the homemade mayo for a low-carb version (Paleo mayo is a good option). With the delicious double hit of bacon and anchovies, you’ll never miss the dairy!
Keto Chicken Shawarma Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, chicken breasts, cumin powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper (optional), avocado oil, romaine lettuce, cucumber, red onion, fresh parsley.
Since adopting a Keto diet, I’ve been using our BBQ more than ever. And this chicken Shawarma salad is the perfect use case for it. You can use any leftover BBQ-ed chicken here, but I love this recipe’s spice blend of cumin, paprika, and cayenne. It’s perfect as the star of a weeknight dinner & works just as well the day after as part of a delicious lunchtime salad.
Simple Taco Salad
– Cavegirl Cuisine
Photo Credit: Michelle from Cavegirl Cuisine
Ingredients: ground beef, onion, taco spice, guacamole, fresh spinach leaves or preferred greens, roma tomatoes, jalapeños, nopalitos, slivered almonds, cilantro leaves, lime.
Don’t omit the nopalitos (cactus pads) in this delicious taco salad recipe. A common ingredient in southwestern cuisine, nopalitos are vitamin and nutrient powerhouses, full of iron, calcium, and vitamins A & C. You can buy them fresh or already pickled in jars. With a taste often compared to asparagus, they’re a great addition to this salad and any veggie recipe!
Cobb Salad Recipe
– Healy Eats Real
Photo Credit: Hannah from Healy Eats Real
Ingredients: romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, eggs, bacon, chicken breast, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, balsamic vinegar.
Cobb salad, with hard-boiled eggs, chicken, and bacon, is so easily adaptable to a Keto diet. Perfect for lunch or an easy dinner, just remember to stay away from creamy dressings and stick to classic olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
This dish is a great way to get some nutrient-packed tomatoes into your diet. Registered Dietitian says, “A tomato is a nutrient-dense superfood that offers benefit to a range of bodily systems. Its nutritional content supports healthful skin, weight loss, and heart health.”
Greek Salad with Lemon-Garlic Chicken (Contains Dairy)
– Seasonal and Savory
Photo Credit: Angela from Seasonal & Savory
Ingredients: chicken breast, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper, romaine and/or red leaf lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, green onion, soft goat cheese or feta cheese.
Olives are a great low-carb addition to any salad. And this Greek-inspired salad is one of my favorites, combining kalamatas, pepperoncini, and succulent roast chicken. Just omit the cheese (and don’t go overboard with the olives!) to make this a Keto-friendly classic.
Quick And Easy Salmon Salad
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: mixed leafy greens, baby spinach leaves, mushrooms, seedless cucumber, endive, ripe avocado, radicchio, green olives, walnuts, paleo mayo, preserved lemon or lemon juice, herbes de Provence, Himalayan salt, black pepper, wild pacific sockeye salmon.
I love the addition of preserved lemon to this nutritious Keto salmon salad. Packing lemons in salt is an ancient way of preserving and concentrating the fruit’s flavor, adding a delicious burst of citrus to any recipe. They’re available in most grocery stores or you can even make them at home!
Garlic Butter Tilapia Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing (Contains Dairy)
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: tilapia fillet, spinach, cherry tomatoes, avocado, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, butter, garlic, onion powder, Spanish paprika, lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, avocado, yogurt, dried basil, ground sage, sweetener (as desired).
Tilapia is a wonderfully versatile fish that pairs well with almost any dressing or spice. Cooked in smoky paprika and garlic, the fish complements this salad’s smooth avocado dressing. It’s a one-dish meal that’s perfect for either lunch or dinner.
Calamari Salad
– Cavegirl Cuisine
Photo Credit: Michelle from Cavegirl Cuisine
Ingredients: calamari, coconut oil, sea salt, onion, red wine vinegar, garlic, limes, bed of greens, tomatoes (cherries or sweets), ground pepper, extra-virgin olive oil.
Unlike many other proteins, calamari really benefit from a quick sauté. I recommend no more than 5 minutes in the pan or they have a tendency of turning rubbery. Such a quick cook time means you can have this elegant dinner salad ready to eat in under 10 minutes.
Shrimp And Arugula Salad
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: baby arugula, cooked shrimp, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, lemons, coarse sea salt, fresh cracked pepper.
In my opinion, shrimp is the perfect seafood to accompany peppery arugula. This Italian-inspired salad brings these two ingredients to the fore with a simple dressing of lemon juice. Simple, but elegant!
Pesto Chicken Avocado Salad
– Savory Lotus
Photo Credit: Katja from Savory Lotus
Ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar or any vinegar or citrus, dried basil, garlic, pepper, bunch of fresh basil, sea salt, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds, chicken thighs, butter, ghee, romaine lettuce, avocado, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves.
Pesto is one of my favorite things in the world and it’s perfect for folks on a Keto diet. Yes, you can buy it premade in the grocery store, but you can make this recipe’s simple version in less than 10 minutes at home. Served on top of the chicken, avocado, and romaine, it makes a perfect hearty lunch or dinner!
Keto Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: blueberries or other berries, onion, bag of salad leaves, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chicken breast, coconut oil, salt, pepper.
We’ve provided the building blocks for any Keto-friendly salad in this recipe. A combination of protein (in our case, chicken breast) and berries along with a light dressing of oil and lemon can be the start of your own Keto-friendly creation. Try experimenting to find your new go-to favorite!
Keto Salads Without The Green
Low Carb Avocado Egg Salad Wraps
– My Keto Kitchen
Ingredients: boiled eggs, avocado, lemon juice, mayonnaise, chives, salt, pepper, baby cos or romaine lettuce leaves.
If you’re missing lunchtime sandwiches while on a Keto diet, this delicious combination of egg salad and avocado may be your new favorite thing! These handy romaine lettuce wraps are great for meals on the go, whether out for a weekend hike or just a weekday office lunch.
Creamy Keto Cucumber Salad [5-Min Recipe]
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: cucumber, mayo, lemon juice, ground black pepper, salt.
I like to think of this recipe as an egg-less egg salad, perfect for those who aren’t as nuts about eggs as I am. The mildness of the cucumber pairs perfectly with the flavors of egg salad. Just make sure you use a low-carb mayonnaise and you have the perfect side salad for any meal!
Simple Paleo Seaweed (Kombu) Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: kombu seaweed, garlic, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil (optional), coconut aminos or tamari soy sauce, salt, red peppers (chilies, optional).
Seaweed is one of my favorite ingredients and I try to use it as often as I can. This Japanese-inspired recipe is perfect if you’re tired of traditional romaine, spinach, or kale as a salad base. With just as many nutrients (if not more) than traditional salad leaves, seaweed is a great addition to your Keto diet routine.
Super Fast Paleo Avocado Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: ripe avocado, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt.
Who says you need a complicated recipe for avocados? They’re delicious enough on their own! Adding just a touch of oil, vinegar, and salt to taste, I often have this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Avocado Cucumber Ginger Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: cucumber, avocado, ginger, lemon juice, sesame oil or olive oil, salt, goji berries.
I love the addition of ginger to this Keto-friendly salad. It lends a spicy but sweet kick to the mild cucumber and amps up the goji berries and avocado to make this simple-looking salad a mealtime star!
Caesar Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps (Contains Dairy)
– Peace Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: hard-boiled eggs, creamy caesar dressing, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, romaine lettuce leaves.
I love the idea behind this recipe, which combines egg salad with Caesar salad to form the perfect low carb wrap. If you’re staying away from dairy, it’s easy to swap the Caesar salad dressing for simple oil and vinegar and you can easily add a few slices of avocado to replace the Parmesan cheese.
Ketogenic Curried Chicken Salad
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: chicken breast, onion, red bell pepper, zucchini or cucumber, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, coconut cream, curry powder, salt, cilantro, coconut oil, lettuce leaves.
Curried chicken salads always taste like they took hours to make. But you can have this lunch ready to go in less than 20 minutes. And if you’re strapped for time, you can always cook the chicken the night before, meaning even less prep time during a busy morning!
Lemon Black Pepper Tuna Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: cucumber, avocado, lemon juice, tuna, Paleo mayo, mustard, salt, salad greens (optional), black pepper.
Tuna salads are among the easiest Keto-friendly salads to make, thanks to the wide availability of canned tuna. From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes and is perfect for a weekday lunch or even a simple dinner.
Shrimp & Cauliflower Salad
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: cauliflower, raw shrimp, olive oil, cucumbers, fresh dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper.
Cauliflower is a great way low-carb ingredient, even in salad! I love the combination of shrimp, dill, and cauliflower in this recipe, which brings a summery freshness to the dish.
