Best Gluten-Free Salad Recipes

By Courtney Minor

Updated

This collection of our best and most popular gluten-free salad recipes is a great way to fill out the menu. There’s nothing I love more than a hearty salad for an easy lunch, healthy dinner, or tasty side dish! I’ve included classic summer salads for potlucks, pasta salads, gluten-free salad dressings, and protein-packed options too! These easy recipes also have dairy-free options.

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My Go-To Gluten-Free Salad Recipes

I love the ease, flavor, and convenience of these gluten-free salad recipes. Whether I want a traditional salad with greens and veggies, or an ingredient-packed side salad to pair with my meals, these recipes are sure to do the trick. And with plenty of gluten-free salad dressings to choose from, I always have the perfect pairing for whatever fresh ingredients I toss together.

These recipes are perfect for potlucks, serving as dinner sides, and enjoying as a meal on their own.

Healthy Gluten-free Salads

Salads filled with fresh greens, veggies, and protein are the best way to get a tasty meal in while sticking to healthy eating!

Overhead view of a beautifully arranged Tuna Nicoise Salad on a white rectangular platter with eggs, tomatoes, olives, green beans, potatoes, and tuna.
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Tuna Nicoise Salad

Tuna Nicoise salad is a classic French dish known for its fresh ingredients, vibrant colors, and signature tangy vinaigrette. As someone who loves tuna, this bright, flavor-packed salad is my go-to during the warmer months—it’s light yet hearty, layered with texture, and always hits the spot.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Grilled Chicken Chimichurri Sauce
5 from 3 votes

Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Chimichurri Salad


Mama’s take on Grilled Chicken Chimichurri Salad. A super favorable twist on traditional chimichurri sauce is both the marinade and dressing for this glorious grilled chicken salad.

Gluten-Free Chicken Chimichurri Recipe

This Mediterranean-inspired salad is always a win for weekday meal prep or a quick throw-together lunch. With its hearty ingredients, fresh flavors, and a solid dose of protein and fiber, it works beautifully as a side or a standalone meal.

A white oval dish filled with Greek quinoa salad, featuring fluffy quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, arugula, feta cheese, and crispy roasted chickpeas. A wooden spoon rests in the dish.
5 from 2 votes

Greek Quinoa Salad

I love how a Greek quinoa salad brings together fresh, bold flavors in every bite. It’s my go-to when I want something light yet satisfying, packed with crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta. The quinoa adds a hearty, protein-rich base, while a lemony olive oil dressing ties everything together with a bright, zesty kick. 
Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe
Gluten-Free Southwestern Quinoa Salad
5 from 3 votes

Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad


A healthy Southwest quinoa salad bursting with flavors from the tri-colored quinoa, avocados, black beans, corn, grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a cilantro honey lime dressing.

Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad Recipe

Vegan Option

While I’m not vegan, I never pass up a good chickpea salad. Loaded with protein, it’s a hearty and wholesome option for anyone looking for a plant-based lunch.

Close-up of vegan chickpea 'tuna' salad scoops served on fresh lettuce leaves, garnished with dill, lemon wedges, and tomato slices on a black slate platter.
5 from 1 vote

Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

Vegan chickpea “tuna” salad is the perfect plant-based throw-together recipe. I love this faux tuna salad as a quick lunch or snack with gluten-free crackers or a piece of toast. A protein-packed vegan meal that’s bright, creamy, and crunchy.
Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Recipe

Gluten-free Pasta Salads

There’s no salad quite like a pasta salad–made with gluten-free pasta, of course! These cold salads are easy to make ahead of time, and they’re plenty filling for lunches.

A bowl of creamy Italian pasta salad topped with fresh basil, filled with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, mozzarella cubes, and creamy dressing.
4.98 from 36 votes

Gluten-Free Creamy Italian Pasta Salad


Homemade creamy Italian dressing combined with artichokes hearts, black olives, grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, and gluten-free rotini pasta. A perfect gluten-free creamy Italian pasta salad for your next cookout or family get together. A summer classic that everyone loves!

Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
gluten-free macaroni salad in a glass bowl
4.50 from 2 votes

Gluten-Free Bacon, Tomato & Cheese Macaroni Salad


This super easy gluten-free macaroni salad is perfect for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or as an everyday meal!

Gluten-Free Macaroni Salad Recipe

Gluten-free Side Salad Ideas

These gluten-free salad recipes are the perfect dish to bring to any potluck! Loaded with delicious ingredients for a hearty side, these will definitely complement any main dish.

A close-up of a spoonful of creamy gluten-free potato salad with diced potatoes, red onion, and fresh dill, sprinkled with paprika.
5 from 1 vote

Gluten-Free Potato Salad

This gluten-free potato salad, made with Yukon Gold potatoes, features a rich, buttery base complemented by a tangy-sweet dressing with pickle relish and vinegar. Crunchy celery and onion add texture, making it a refreshing and satisfying side for BBQs, picnics, or meal prep.
Gluten-Free Potato Salad Recipe
A bowl of ambrosia salad filled with creamy whipped topping, pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts.
5 from 2 votes

Gluten-Free Ambrosia Salad


An easy recipe for Ambrosia Salad. A creamy dessert fruit salad made with tropical fruit. This Ambrosia fruit salad recipe is naturally gluten-free and has a dairy-free option.

Gluten-Free Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Gluten-free Salad Dressing Recipes

Every salad needs a good dressing, and these gluten-free and dairy-free options pair well with just about any type of salad you make.

A jar of gluten-free balsamic vinaigrette with a spoon.
5 from 22 votes

Gluten-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing


An easy homemade balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing that is gluten-free, Paleo, and AIP.

Gluten-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
A glass mason jar filled with creamy dairy-free ranch dressing, set on a white countertop with tomatoes, fresh dill, and a spoon nearby.
5 from 1 vote

Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

If you’ve been looking for a dairy-free ranch dressing, I’ve got it right here. This homemade version is better than any bottled ranch you’ll buy in the store and it’s completely dairy-free. Made with pantry staples you probably already have in the house, it’s creamy, tangy, and full of classic ranch flavor with just the right balance of garlic, herbs, and a hint of lemony brightness.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Dairy-Free Ranch Recipe
A close up of a fork taking some dairy-free tzatziki from a bowl.
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Dairy-Free Tzatziki

This dairy-free tzatziki recipe is just as delicious as the traditional version! It's also naturally gluten-free, vegan, and low-carb.
Dairy-Free Tzatziki Recipe

Make sure to check out our Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes to serve with your favorite salad recipes. 

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About Courtney Minor

Courtney has been writing and blogging for 15 years, with particular passions for cooking, travel, and fashion. Her love of food flourished while working on an organic vegetable farm, where she realized how fun and flavorful fresh veggies could be. She enjoys cooking pasta and veggie-filled dishes, and always goes for quick and simple recipes!

Read More About Me

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5 Comments

  1. Curious how you prevent the GF pasta from becoming hard after it’s sat in the salad a day or 2…

    Reply

    1. Hi Stacy, we recommend adding 2 minutes to the cook time for the pasta so that it is slightly overcooked and therefore softer.

      Reply

  2. Is there another nut butter option for the Chimichurri sauce? Cashews are not allowed on my low fodmap, GF, non-dairy diet. Would almond butter be the closest?

    Reply

    1. Hi Nicki! You can definitely use almond butter instead. It will taste a bit different, but still very tasty.

      Reply