Denny’s salads give diners a lighter choice on a menu known for pancakes and Grand Slams. The lineup includes a Cobb Salad, a House Salad, and a Garden Side Salad, plus protein add-ons like grilled chicken, crispy chicken, and salmon.
People search this menu to compare calories, check gluten options, and learn what a fresh meal costs at a diner. Entrée salads usually run about $12 to $15, while the side salad costs under $5. Prices change by location, so treat every number as a guide.
In this article, you learn what each salad contains, how many calories it has, and which items are most popular. I also cover how to order and save money.
Does Denny’s Serve Salads?
Yes, Denny’s serves salads at most U.S. locations. Its October 2025 nutrition guide lists a Cobb Salad, a House Salad, and a Garden Side Salad.
Franchise restaurants set their own prices and may skip a seasonal item. Add-ons like salmon can also vary. Check your local menu before you visit.
Are Denny’s Salads Gluten-Free?
Not automatically. Croutons are usually made from bread, so ask for your salad without them. Denny’s also publishes an allergen guide through a QR code on its menu, and some items are marked gluten-free.
Dressings, crispy chicken, and shared kitchen equipment can add gluten or cross-contact risk. If you have celiac disease, read the official guide and tell your server before ordering.
Denny’s Salads Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | Open 24 hours at many locations |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours at many locations |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours at many locations |
- Hours vary by location, and some restaurants close overnight.
- Most Denny’s restaurants are franchises, so schedules differ.
- Menu items and add-ons can change with the season.
Denny’s Salads Menu With Prices 2026
| Item | Price (approx.) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cobb Salad | $11.99 to $14.49 | The Cobb Salad is the most complete bowl on the menu. It layers bacon, avocado, grape tomatoes, cheddar, egg slices, and croutons over iceberg lettuce. The flavor is salty, creamy, and crunchy. Reviewers rank it above the House Salad. It offers solid value, though chicken costs extra. |
| House Salad | $7.23 to $13.49 | The House Salad is a simple, budget-friendly bowl. It combines iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, cheddar, and croutons. The taste is mild and fresh, so your dressing matters. It sells less than the Cobb, but crispy chicken turns it into a full meal. |
| Garden Side Salad | $4.47 to $4.99 | The Garden Side Salad is a small bowl of fresh greens and vegetables served beside sandwiches and burgers. The flavor is light and neutral. It works well when you want a lighter side instead of fries, and it is the cheapest salad on the menu. |
| Protein Add-On | Extra Cost |
|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Breast | Varies by location |
| Crispy Fried Chicken | Varies by location |
| Wild-Caught Alaska Salmon | Varies by location |
Prices come from third-party listings and are approximate. Please confirm them on your local menu.
What’s Included?
Most Denny’s salads start with a crisp iceberg mix and a choice of dressing.
- Main ingredient: iceberg lettuce mix with fresh vegetables
- Base: croutons add crunch, and you can ask to skip them
- Protein: grilled chicken, crispy chicken, or salmon as add-ons
- Toppings: tomatoes, cucumbers, cheddar, and on the Cobb, bacon, avocado, and egg
- Sauces: balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, thousand island, and fat-free Italian
- Add-ons: extra protein or an additional dressing
You can customize a salad by removing croutons or cheese, swapping dressings, or adding protein. Availability depends on the restaurant.
Nutrition Information
| Item | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobb Salad | 480 | 28 g | 31 g | 25 g |
| House Salad | 190 | 9 g | 9 g | 19 g |
| Garden Side Salad | 170 | 8 g | 9 g | 16 g |
| Grilled Chicken Add-On | 200 | 29 g | 9 g | 1 g |
| Crispy Fried Chicken Add-On | 410 | 27 g | 24 g | 23 g |
| Alaska Salmon Add-On | 350 | 32 g | 23 g | 1 g |
Values are approximate and come from Denny’s October 2025 nutrition guide. They do not include dressing, which adds roughly 20 calories for fat-free Italian and about 200 for ranch per 1.5 oz.
Most Popular Items
Rankings below reflect my judgment of value and reviewer feedback, not Denny’s sales data.
- Cobb Salad With Grilled Chicken
- Why people love it: the highest protein and the most toppings
- Flavor: smoky bacon, creamy avocado, and sharp cheddar
- Best customization: ranch on the side, no croutons
- Cobb Salad With Crispy Chicken
- Why: a hearty dinner-style bowl
- Flavor: crunchy, salty, and rich
- Best customization: honey mustard for a sweet edge
- House Salad With Crispy Chicken
- Why: lower price than the Cobb with added protein
- Flavor: fresh, crisp, and mild
- Best customization: balsamic vinaigrette
- Salmon Salad (House or Cobb With Salmon)
- Why: a lighter protein with 32 grams per serving
- Flavor: rich fish with fresh vegetables
- Best customization: fat-free Italian dressing
- Garden Side Salad
- Why: the cheapest way to add vegetables to a meal
- Flavor: light and simple
- Best customization: swap fries for it with a sandwich
How To Order
1. In-Store
- Tell your server the salad, protein, and dressing you want.
- Ask for croutons or cheese to be removed if needed.
- Mention any allergy before ordering.
2. Mobile App
- The Denny’s app supports pickup, delivery, and saved favorites.
- Rewards members earn perks and occasional deals.
- You can customize your salad before paying.
3. Delivery Apps
- Many locations appear on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
- Expect a delivery fee, a service fee, and sometimes higher menu prices.
- Ordering through Denny’s own app may cost less.
Money-Saving Tips
- Join Denny’s Rewards and check the app for limited-time deals.
- Order a House Salad and add chicken instead of choosing a pricier entrée.
- Split a Cobb Salad with a side, or swap fries for a Garden Side Salad.
Who Should Try This Menu?
- Budget diners who want a meal under $15
- Families who need a lighter option beside burgers
- Students looking for a filling late-night bowl
- Protein-focused customers who add chicken or salmon
- Vegetarians can order a House Salad without meat, then confirm dressings and ingredients
Final Verdict
Denny’s salads are not the main reason people visit a diner, but they work well as a lighter, affordable choice. The Cobb Salad is the best overall pick because it offers more toppings and a more satisfying meal. The House Salad is a simple, budget-friendly base, and the Garden Side Salad is a smart swap for fries.
Pricing stays reasonable, with entrée salads around $12 to $15 and sides under $5, though it changes by location. Adding grilled chicken or salmon boosts protein without adding too many calories. Customization is easy, and you can skip croutons, change dressings, or add toppings.
I recommend the Cobb Salad with grilled chicken and dressing on the side. Always check the official nutrition and allergen guide, especially if you follow a gluten-free diet.