40 Best Salad Recipes

How to Make the Best Salad

Here are my tips for making the very best salads!

• Go Green– most salads start with a bed of greens. Don't be afraid to mix things up. Use kale, spinach, romaine, arugula, butter leaf lettuce, shaved Brussels sprouts, or a mix of greens!
• Pick a Protein– Get a protein boost by adding chicken, fish, shrimp, or steak. For a vegetarian salad, add beans, hard boiled eggs, lentils, or tofu. My personal favorite? Roasted chickpeas! So good!
• Add Grains– Bulk up your salad by adding your favorite grains. Pasta, quinoa, farro, orzo, and wild rice are all good options.
• Crunch-Crunch– Top your salads with homemade croutons, nuts (raw, toasted, or candied), pita chips, or tortilla chips. Candied pecans or candied walnuts are always a winner! Cucumbers, bell peppers, cauliflower, and other fresh veggies also add a nice crunch.
• Feeling Fruity– Sweeten up your salad with fresh or dried fruit. Add in apple, pear, or peach slices. Berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries) are always a good idea. And don't forget about watermelon, it's so refreshing. For dried fruit, I love dried cranberries, cherries, or golden raisins.
• Roasted, Grilled, or Pickled Veggies– I love adding roasted vegetables or grilled vegetables to my salads. Clean out your veggie drawer, roast or grill, and top your salads. So easy! Pickled veggies also add a nice punch of flavor!
• So Fresh– Fresh herbs add SO much flavor! Mix in fresh basil, mint, chives, rosemary, or dill.
• Oh-So-Creamy– Adding in a creamy element is always so nice. Try avocado slices, crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese, a dollop of hummus or guacamole, tzatziki, or a scoop of cottage cheese.
• All Dressed Up– A good salad dressing is key! I love making my own homemade dressings, they are easy to whisk up and are so much better than store bought. A few of my go-to's include: basil vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, Italian dressing, and creamy cilantro lime dressing. Drizzle away!
• Don't Forget About Salsa– Fresh salsas add SO much flavor. Sometimes, I use salsa as a dressing! Try these: easy blender salsa, pico de gallo, mango salsa, or pineapple salsa!

Don't be afraid to play around with your salads! Make sure you mix things up regularly!