Healthy Living

Not sure what to make with the head of cabbage in your fridge? These delicious salads feature versatile cabbage prepared in a variety of ways, from warm and roasted salads to crisp and refreshing bowls. Plus, they’re all highly rated by our readers, having earned four- and five-star reviews. You’ll love options like our Roasted Cabbage Salad with Rosemary-Garlic Vinaigrette and Cabbage Salad with Bacon for a tasty and nourishing salad.

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Roasted Cabbage Salad with Rosemary-Garlic Vinaigrette

We transform cabbage into something unexpectedly sweet and savory in this roasted cabbage salad recipe. After roasting, cabbage and onions get tossed in a warm garlic-rosemary vinaigrette that ties everything together. This simple side dish pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or salmon, or enjoy it tossed with hearty grains or pasta.

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02 of 14

Cabbage Salad with Bacon

This warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon turns simple ingredients into something delicious. Crisp, smoky bacon adds richness, while its rendered drippings are whisked into an apple-cider vinaigrette for a tangy, savory-sweet dressing that coats the cabbage perfectly. A touch of Dijon and honey makes each bite bright and satisfying.

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03 of 14

Roasted Sesame-Chile Cabbage Salad

This sesame-chile cabbage salad adds a bold and flavorful twist to roasted cabbage. The nutty richness of toasted sesame oil, the heat of chile flakes (which you can leave out if you prefer something milder) and a splash of rice vinegar combine to create the perfect balance of flavors. Tossed with toasted sesame seeds and scallions, this dish transforms simple cabbage into a vibrant side dish.

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04 of 14

Simple Carrot & Cabbage Salad

This simple carrot-and-cabbage salad is crisp and refreshing. It’s tossed in a light vinaigrette made with lemon, honey and Dijon mustard, allowing the natural sweetness of the carrots and the crunch of the cabbage to shine. Enjoy this salad on its own as a side dish, or try piling it onto a burger, stuffing it into tacos for extra crunch, or using it as a bright, tangy filling in a wrap.

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05 of 14

Roasted Cabbage Salad with Lemon-Shallot Dressing

This roasted cabbage salad with lemon-shallot dressing is the versatile side dish you didn’t know you needed. The cabbage is roasted to perfection, caramelizing and developing a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the bright, zesty notes of the lemon-shallot dressing. This salad is a perfect match for just about anything, from a side with grilled chicken or roasted salmon to a topping for hearty grain bowls.

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06 of 14

Roasted Cabbage Salad with Miso Vinaigrette

This roasted cabbage salad with miso vinaigrette is a boldly flavored dish that combines caramelized, tender cabbage with a rich, umami-packed dressing. Roasting brings out the cabbage’s natural sweetness, while the miso vinaigrette adds a savory depth with a hint of tang. You can adapt this salad to your taste by stirring in different chopped fresh herbs. Try cilantro for a bright, citrusy twist, basil for a subtle anise-like aroma, or mint for some refreshing contrast.

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07 of 14

Cabbage Crunch Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

This crisp and fresh cabbage-apple salad features carrots, walnuts and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. Allowing the cabbage to sit before serving helps soften it and develop the flavor. While any type of cabbage will work well, tender cabbage like napa will need less time to soften, while a sturdier variety like red or green cabbage will take a bit longer.

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08 of 14

Make-Ahead Cabbage Salad

This make-ahead cabbage salad is the perfect dish that only gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors meld together, with the crisp cabbage and tender, nutty farro soaking up the tangy dressing. It’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining, as it not only holds up well but also improves with time, making your life easier and delivering a delicious meal.

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09 of 14

Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad with Chicken

This warm and inviting salad swaps crunchy romaine lettuce for sweet roasted cabbage in a fun twist on Caesar salad. To make this main-dish cabbage salad vegetarian, opt for vegetarian or vegan Worcestershire, leave out the anchovy paste from the dressing, and use cubed tofu in place of the chicken.

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10 of 14

Chicken & Cabbage Salad with Nuoc Cham Dressing

Best known as a Vietnamese dipping sauce, nước chấm typically combines sugar, lime juice and fish sauce, striking the perfect balance between sweet, sour and salty. Here it ties together crunchy vegetables, tons of fresh herbs and cooked chicken breast for a refreshing chicken salad. Serve combined with glass noodles or inside a lettuce leaf. For a slightly different take, swap out the cooked chicken for thin slices of grilled steak.

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11 of 14

Cabbage Salad with Apple, Walnuts & Gorgonzola

This crisp and fresh cabbage-apple salad features carrots, walnuts and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. Allowing the cabbage to sit before serving helps develop the flavor and soften the cabbage. While any type of cabbage will work well, tender cabbage like napa will need less time to soften, while a sturdier cabbage like red or green cabbage will take a bit longer.

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12 of 14

Cabbage & Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing

This colorful salad offers up plenty of fiber and plant-based protein, thanks to peanut butter and edamame. This combination of ingredients creates a nutritious, balanced side that can help support stable blood sugar levels while offering up big, bold flavors. Mint, basil and cilantro all work well here. Choose one or combine them all for a more complex flavor.

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Cabbage Caesar Salad

In this Caesar salad, we skip the usual romaine lettuce and opt for napa cabbage, a delightfully tender cabbage variety that maintains a crisp and mild sweetness even when eaten raw. The dressing takes a shortcut, using store-bought mayonnaise instead of fresh egg yolks, and gets a savory kick from anchovy paste. Feel free to switch it up by using chopped anchovy fillets, or omit it entirely for a vegetarian-friendly salad according to your preference.

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Roasted Cabbage Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

This roasted cabbage salad combines the sweetness of roasted cabbage with the bright, zesty flavors of lime, orange and cumin. This versatile side dish works well alongside roasted chicken or steak. Or make it a vegetarian main dish by mixing it with brown rice and black beans.

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These healthy recipes are the answer to all your lunchtime needs. Low in calories and high in protein and/or fiber, these meals can help support healthy weight loss. Plus, with plenty of whole grains, protein and healthy fats, they fit seamlessly into the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest eating patterns around. Not to mention, all of these recipes come together in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for a quick lunch break. Sounds good to you? Try our Chopped Broccoli & Chickpea Salad or our Cucumber-Hummus Wraps  and enjoy a lunch that’s healthy, fast and delicious. 

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Chopped Broccoli & Chickpea Salad

This hearty broccoli-chickpea salad is packed with satisfying texture and flavor from tender chickpeas, crunchy almonds, sweet golden raisins and tangy feta cheese. A mash of feta forms the base of the creamy, lemony dressing, coating every bite.

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02 of 15

Cucumber-Hummus Wrap

This cucumber-hummus wrap is a crisp, refreshing lunch packed with veggies. Shredded green cabbage adds a satisfying crunch, while the creamy dressing (flavored with pickle juice, but no pickles) adds tang without excess sodium. Hummus provides a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the fresh crispy vegetables. For a shortcut, swap in pre-shredded coleslaw mix instead of shredding your own cabbage.

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03 of 15

Gut-Healthy Miso Cup Soup

This soup is packed with gut-healthy ingredients like miso, a fermented paste that may improve digestion as well as reducing gas and bloating. The base of the soup is prepared in advance and stored in separate containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water. Cover and let the soup stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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04 of 15

Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

These Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps give classic tuna salad a fresh, flavorful upgrade. Mashed chickpeas add creamy texture and extra protein, while Greek yogurt gives the salad a light, creamy base. A generous shake of everything bagel seasoning ties it all together with savory crunch. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce instead of bread, it’s a satisfying, high-protein lunch that’s perfect for meal prep or a quick, no-cook dinner.

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05 of 15

Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box

This easy chickpea salad lunch box is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to scale up the recipe to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week. Just remember to add the crackers on the day you plan to enjoy it to keep them crunchy and delicious.

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06 of 15

High-Protein Cucumber Sandwich

This high-protein cucumber sandwich features a creamy spread made by whipping cottage cheese with white miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar. This mixture delivers a creamy boost of protein that pairs perfectly with sliced cucumbers, which add a crisp, fresh bite.

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07 of 15

Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes

This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.

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08 of 15

High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

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09 of 15

No-Chicken Salad Sandwich

This no-chicken salad sandwich, made with chickpeas, is a delicious plant-based alternative to the classic chicken salad. Mashing the chickpeas creates a creamy texture that blends seamlessly with Greek-style yogurt, celery, pecans and grapes for flavor and crunch. Serve it on whole-grain bread, in a wrap, over a salad or with crackers for an easy lunch.

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10 of 15

5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad

This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.

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11 of 15

Cucumber-Avocado-Tomato Sandwich

This tomato, cucumber and avocado sandwich is the perfect light and easy lunch. With a few fresh ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal in just 10 minutes. Creamy avocado and hummus provide plant-based protein and healthy fats, while juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers bring refreshing crunch and flavor. Layer it all on whole-grain bread for an extra boost of fiber, and you’ve got a quick and wholesome sandwich at the ready!

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Veggie Wraps

These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry.

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Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

This chickpea, beet & feta salad is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, marrying the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy richness of feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. If you have the time, you can roast or steam your own beets or, to keep prep fast and simple, opt for precooked beets found in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores.

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14 of 15

Green Goddess Tuna Salad

Canned tuna makes this recipe convenient and pantry-friendly while also offering an impressive punch of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines or mackerel would work just as well in this quick recipe. Use the remaining herb sauce as a dressing for salads or grain bowls, as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip for vegetables. This recipe is easily doubled to make a big batch to meal-prep for the week. Serve on bread, in a wrap, over a bed of greens or scooped up with your favorite chips, crackers or cucumber slices.

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20-Minute Chickpea Soup

When dinner needs to happen fast, turn to this creamy chickpea soup that’s pulled together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese melts right into this zesty soup for a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

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