The Very Best Fast Food Salads In The United States: Complete Guide

Some things in life are challenging.

But, one of the trickiest things to do is to find healthy food in fast food restaurants!

Not only are you met with a myriad of delicious-looking burgers, fries, and sandwiches, but the menu typically has little to no healthy options to pick from.

In recent years, there has been a focus on the health issues facing societies around the world.

With obesity rising in many nations, there has been an onus to try and eat healthier foods.

Not only can eating fatty foods increase our weight, but they can be extremely debilitating to our overall health. 

Fortunately, many fast food restaurants have taken heed of advice from health experts and started to include healthy food items on their menus.

Many of these healthy options come in the form of salads. 

Whilst finding salads at fast food restaurants (see also ‘8 Fast Food Restaurants That Serve The Best Soup‘) is not always easy, it is certainly not impossible.

The only issue is that many fast food salads are either hit or miss. 

This is why we wanted to find the best fast food salads available in the United States so you can enjoy a healthy treat today. 

So, get ready to redefine what fast food is. Out with that fatty, salty, unhealthy fast food and in with healthy green fast food salads! 

Here is our list of the best fast food salads in the U.S. right now. 

The Best Fast Food Salads in The U.S. Today

1. Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

We start with this popular salad option from Panera (see also ‘12 Tastiest Panera Salads To Buy‘).

This Asian Sesame Chicken salad is truly flavorful with an Asian, savory flavor profile.

Included are grilled chicken, lettuce, sesame seeds, almonds, wonton strips, and cilantro.

Together, these are all dressed in Panera’s own Asian sesame vinaigrette to produce a burst of flavors. 

This salad is also available in a whole and half size, as well as part of the “You Pick Two” deal, where you can pick half versions of the salad with various ingredients.

If you choose the whole-size salad, you will be enjoying 410 calories, 22 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbs, 27 grams of protein, and 800 milligrams of sodium. 

2. Jack in the Box Grilled Chicken Salad

Next up is this delicious Jack in the Box Grilled Chicken salad (see also ‘20 Delicious Jack In The Box Menu Items To Try‘).

When opening up a typical Jack in the Box (see also ‘11 Of The Best Jack In The Box Sauces For Your Order!‘), you will find burgers, tacos, chicken tenders, and fries.

But, as you can tell, this isn’t exactly the healthiest option.

If you want something with more greens, you can choose the grilled chicken salad instead.

This has become a classic salad and a popular choice for regular Jack in the Box fans (see also ‘13 Delicious Jack In The Box Breakfast Options To Try Out Today‘).

This salad includes romaine and iceberg lettuce, flame-grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese, carrots, cucumbers, seasoned croutons, and a balsamic dressing that is low in fat. 

3. Quiznos’ Apple Harvest Salad

If you’re looking for a salad that offers sweet ingredients, you need to try Quizno’s Apple Harvest Salad.

With a very low amount of calories in the meal (540) and 52 grams of carbs, there is a perfect balance of ingredients in this salad to power you through your day.

We all know that the more fruit and veg we eat a day, the healthier we will be.

Luckily, this salad from Quiznos offers both fruits and veggies, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.

Also included are pumpkin seeds that are full of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to our health. 

Try this apple harvest salad today and you will be benefiting your entire health.

The pumpkin seeds, in particular, are very good for your heart health, prostate, and bladder.

It’s hard to say the same about a juicy, fatty cheeseburger!

4. Panera Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken

We return to Panera with this wonderful Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken.

Made on a bed of romaine lettuce, red-leaf lettuce, kale, and arugula, not only is this extremely healthy, but it is super tasty.

The true flavors emanate from the grilled chicken breast atop the salad alongside a bed of tomatoes, Gorgonzola cheese, red onions, dried apple chips, and roasted pecans.

These are all dressed in Panera’s famous white balsamic apple vinaigrette for that perfect finishing touch. 

And, as with the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, this Panera offering is also available as a half or whole salad.

You can also opt for a You Pick Two deal, as well. 

If you do choose the whole salad, it comes with 560 calories, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 27 grams of protein, 35 grams of fat, and 840 milligrams of sodium.

That should power you for a few hours!

5. Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Let’s stick with Panera for one more (see also ‘Panera For Breakfast? – 13 Panera Items To Start Your Day‘).

This Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is fresh and fruity, making it ideal for any hot and humid day.

A favorite with Panera customers, this salad is made with romaine lettuce, fresh strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, roasted pecans, segments of mandarin orange, grilled chicken breast, and a tasty poppy seed dressing from Panera.

When you go to order this salad, you can get it with either a baguette side, an apple, or a bag of chips.

If you want to be uber-healthy, we suggest you go with the apple (this also tastes best with its fruitiness, too).

6. Chipotle Build Your Own Salad

We love visiting Chipotle because we can make our own dishes from scratch.

Best of all, we can create our own salads to fit our diets perfectly.

Head to Chipotle today and you can choose all the ingredients yourself and have the tastiest, healthiest salad you’ve ever enjoyed! 

7. QDOBA Citrus Lime Chicken Salad

Here, we have the Citrus-Lime Chicken salad from QDOBA.

Influenced by Mexican dishes, this is unsurprisingly delicious. 

Included in this salad are romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, tortilla chips, grilled adobo chicken, and salsa.

What a tasty combination! We’re pretty sure everyone, whatever their tastes, will enjoy this salad!

8. Arby’s Roast Chicken Entrée Salad

With only 250 calories, this Roast Chicken Entrée salad from Arby’s is nutritionally impressive!

It contains 25 grams of protein to fire up that energy, but only comes with 14 grams of fat and 4 grams of sugar.

Therefore, it is ideal for anyone watching what they eat carefully.

However, the sodium levels are a little high at 690 milligrams (almost half as much as the recommended daily intake).

But, when eaten as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, the nutritional figures this salad provides are not as bad as many fast-food options. 

9. Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Market Salad

Looking for plenty of fruits in your salad? Well, the Grilled Market salad from Chick-fil-A is the one for you.

Packed with apples, strawberries, and blueberries, this fruity salad is as fresh as they come.

It also comes with nuts, a good deal of protein, and a delectable light balsamic dressing. 

When visiting Chick-fil-A, you can choose from a wide range of salads.

If you’re feeling hungry, you can opt for a full meal, which is around 500 to 550 calories.

You’ll also be getting 28 grams of protein and a whole host of beneficial vitamins and minerals to fuel your body for the whole day. 

10. Taco Bell Fiesta Taco Salad

If you’re a fan of Mexican salads, look no further than Taco Bell’s Fiesta Taco salad.

Available in its standard form with ground beef, rice, refried beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and tomatoes encased in a crispy tortilla, you can also customize it if you prefer.

That way, you can choose the ingredients your taste buds like more.

Delivered in a large tortilla, this unique salad may not be the healthiest on our list but it sure is one of the tastiest. 

11. Qdoba Impossible Taco Salad

Boasting only 510 calories, this Impossible taco Salad from Qdoba is a vegetarian-friendly option served over a bed of romaine lettuce.

Pinto beans, roasted tomato salsa, pico de gallo, shredded three-cheese blend, tortilla strips, and impossible meat make up the rest of this taste sensation. 

Impossible meat is not real meat. It is a plant-based substitute made from potato and soy proteins.

When biting in, you can hardly tell the difference!

Try this today, even if you’re a meat eater.

We’re sure you’ll love it! 

12. Arby’s Roast Turkey Farmhouse Salad

We’ve already seen Arby’s roast chicken salad, but now it’s the roast turkey farmhouse salad’s turn on the list. 

Sporting fresh chopped lettuce, roasted turkey, shredded cheese, diced bacon, and diced tomatoes, this is not a complex salad. What it is, though, is a very tasty one!

Like most dishes at Arby’s this flavorful salad does not disappoint.

13. Subway Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

Subway is renowned for offering fresh, healthy ingredients which you can choose to create a unique sandwich.

One of their most popular subs is the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki.

Whilst the standard order of this isn’t the healthiest option on the Subway menu, you can change things up a bit.

Instead of the usual toppings of this sub, we suggest going with different salad options.

You can always ask those working at the counter what they recommend as the healthiest options to choose from and they should be willing to help.

Try this delicious meal today and you will love the mixture of salad and sweet onion chicken teriyaki added on top.

14. McDonald’s Southwest Salad

You have probably heard the rumors that the salads at McDonald’s have not always been that healthy.

In fact, some of the restaurant’s early examples contained more calories than their iconic Big Mac!

Thankfully, times and things have changed.

You can now order the Southwest salad at McDonald’s, and don’t worry, it is far healthier than any burger on its menu.

It’s filling and tasty, but what else would you expect from one of the world’s leading fast food chains (see also ‘18 Fast Food Chains That Accept SNAP EBT‘)?

15. Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad

We return to Chick-fil-A with this Cobb salad.

Available with a whole range of different ingredients to choose from, this salad is a winner in our books.

You can opt for chicken strips, nuggets, or filets if you’re in need of a chicken treat.

If not, you can choose the plain salad version.

After all, this is Chick-fil-A! You can do what you want with your Cobb salad!  

16. Wendy’s Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad

Wendy’s is one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the U.S.

And, the chain has kept up with the times by including popular ingredients on its menu, such as avocados. 

This Southwest Avocado Chicken salad has all the classic salad ingredients, as well as smoked bacon, avocado balls, and grilled chicken breast.

The result?

A divine, supreme-tasting salad that will have you going back for more!

17. Zaxby’s The Grilled Cobb Zalad

Zaxby’s Grilled Cobb “Zalad” is unlike all others on our list. Why?

Because it comes with red cabbage, hard-boiled eggs, and many other ingredients not seen in regular salads.

So, if you’re tired of the same old, plain, “boring” salads, give this “Zalad” a go instead.

The combination works so well! 

In Summary

So, there you have it.

Our list of the 15 best fast food salads in the U.S.

Now it’s up to you to try them out for yourself and choose your favorite.

Enjoy!