How to build a light, filling meal with grilled dishes and salads so you won't feel hungry afterward

Friday 11 September 2026 15:30 - Mirella Mendonça
How to build a light, filling meal with grilled dishes and salads so you won't feel hungry afterward
Grilled foods and salads are one of the best combinations for summer: they’re fresh, colorful, and full of texture, and can be very filling when put together well.

The secret is not to make a bland salad consisting only of greens, nor a grilled dish without a side. To keep the meal light without leaving you hungry, it needs protein, fiber, vegetables, good seasonings, and a balanced portion of carbohydrates when needed.

The mistake that makes the salad too light and not very filling

A salad made only of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers may be refreshing, but it doesn't always suffice as a main meal.

To avoid getting hungry shortly afterward, it's important to add a source of protein, such as chicken, tuna, cod, eggs, cheese, octopus, or legumes. Then come the vegetables, herbs, olive oil, and, if appropriate, a staple like potatoes, rice, couscous, quinoa, or chickpeas.

Grilled chicken recipes for a complete meal

Grilled foods are convenient because they add flavor without needing heavy sauces.

Chicken, bell peppers, zucchini, and roasted vegetables work really well in summer meals. The idea is to grill or sauté them quickly and serve them with a colorful salad, to create a contrast between hot and fresh, protein and fiber.

Chicken skewers with bell peppersRecipe Chicken skewers with bell peppers

For an easy recipe that smells like summer, prepare these chicken skewers with bell peppers! In a "mini" version, they will fit perfectly on your plate and are also great for appetizers :-) A flavorful recipe to eat with your fingers, of course! Follow...



Chicken with peppers and zucchini in air fryer: ready in 20 minutes!Recipe Chicken with peppers and zucchini in air fryer: ready in 20 minutes!

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Salads that really fill you up

To turn a salad into a meal, it needs substance.

Black-eyed peas, chickpeas, potatoes, tuna, cod, and eggs help create more substantial dishes without losing their lightness. These are great options for lunch, a packed lunch, a quick dinner, or a refreshing meal after a hot day.

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Simple, generous and packed with flavor, this cowpea salad (also known as black-eyed pea salad ) is a classic of Portuguese cuisine. Made with tender beans, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes and olives, it’s a complete meal that is both satisfying...



Chickpea salad with codRecipe Chickpea salad with cod

For a light, nutritious and flavorful meal, our chickpea and cod salad is sure to please! The perfect recipe to take along for a sunny picnic lunch. And a new way to get the whole family to eat fish (and if you also think about cooking cod au gratin,...



Potato, tuna, and tomato saladRecipe Potato, tuna, and tomato salad

Hotter days call for refreshing and nutritious salads like this potato and tuna salad. Easy to prepare, it is ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for making an appetizer before the meal. Check out our recipe below:

Fresh salads to serve with grilled meats

Not every salad has to be a main course. Some work better as a side dish, especially when there’s something grilled as the centerpiece of the plate.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, aromatic herbs, lemon, bell peppers, and leafy greens help add freshness, vitamins, minerals, and volume, making the meal lighter and more enjoyable on hot days.

Greek salad or horiatikiRecipe Greek salad or horiatiki

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Couscous salad for a simple, healthy and colorful starter!Recipe Couscous salad for a simple, healthy and colorful starter!

You never have enough easy and healthy recipes in your cookbook, right? Especially when we are looking to do something that will make us several meals . So for that we suggest you use your semolina in a couscous salad! With seasonal vegetables...

How to put together the perfect meal

Think of your plate as having four parts: a protein, plenty of vegetables, a source of fiber or carbohydrates, and a simple seasoning.

For example: grilled chicken with couscous salad; kebabs with tabbouleh; cod with chickpeas and tomatoes; or tuna with black-eyed peas, egg, and olives. This way, the meal stays light but becomes more nutritious and satisfying.

Light sauces make a difference

Sauce can turn a light meal into a heavy one.

Instead of very creamy sauces or too much mayonnaise, opt for olive oil, lemon, vinegar, plain yogurt, fresh herbs, garlic, mustard, or spices. Good seasoning brings out the flavor of grilled foods and salads without overpowering the ingredients.


Fresh yogurt sauce with mint and lemon juice, perfect for summer meals!Recipe Fresh yogurt sauce with mint and lemon juice, perfect for summer meals!

Get ready to refresh your taste buds with our delicious fresh yogurt sauce , the ideal way to enhance your summer salads and accompany your grilled meats and fish . This light and creamy sauce will bring a real touch of freshness to all your summer...



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Creamy avocado mayonnaise with hard-boiled egg - no raw eggRecipe Creamy avocado mayonnaise with hard-boiled egg - no raw egg

When temperatures rise, preparing a homemade mayonnaise with raw egg is no longer a safe option. But that doesn't mean giving up on a creamy , fresh and tasty sauce . This avocado mayonnaise with boiled egg is an easy, healthy and risk-free...

Quick questions about grilled foods and salads

Can a salad replace lunch?
Yes, as long as it contains protein, fiber, and enough ingredients to keep you full.

Are grilled foods always healthier?
It depends. They’re a good option when prepared with little fat and served with vegetables, but the overall balance of the meal is still important.

What should you add to avoid feeling hungry?
Chicken, tuna, eggs, cod, cheese, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, lentils, potatoes, quinoa, or couscous help make the meal more complete.
Mirella MendonçaMirella Mendonça
I am the editorial manager at Petitchef (Portugal and Brazil) and a huge enthusiast of travel and world cuisine, always in search of new flavors and experiences. However, as much as I love exploring the delights of different cultures, my mom's cooking will always be my favorite — with that unique flavor that only she can create.

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